White Night and Calata dei Cantanti

A White Night with a strong sense of identity

Every year, on the night between July 2nd and 3rd, the historic center of Adrano—a town in the Province of Catania, resting on the southwestern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily—transforms into a grand open-air stage. The White Night is the event that officially kicks off the Adrano summer and, above all, the month of festivities dedicated to the patron saint San Nicolò Politi. With shops open late, music, shows, and crowds in the streets until dawn, the city truly doesn't sleep for one night.

The Calata dei Cantanti: the heart of tradition

The most anticipated and symbolic moment is the Calata dei Cantanti, a festive, secular procession that takes place around midnight. The town's marching band, followed by a joyful crowd and children carrying torches, traverses the historic center playing traditional marches. Historically, the procession was marked by the choir of the faithful who concluded the festivities of the Madonna delle Grazie to officially start the celebrations in honor of the Saint: hence the name "calata dei cantanti" (descent of the singers). It is on this occasion that the child chosen for the Volata dell'Angelo—the key ritual of the patronal feast on August 3rd—is presented to the public.

San Nicolò Politi, the hermit of Adrano

San Nicolò Politi was born in Adrano in 1117 and, at just seventeen, chose the life of a hermit to dedicate himself to the contemplation of God on Mount Calanna, near Alcara Li Fusi. The city's bond with its patron is profound: the celebrations open in July with "A trasuta do mesi" (the entry of the month) and culminate on August 3rd with the spectacular Volata dell'Angelo, when a child dressed as an angel is suspended twelve meters high in Piazza Umberto before a multitude of the faithful.

Music, fashion, and sports in the square

In recent years, the devotional dimension of the Calata has been joined by a rich entertainment program organized by the municipal administration: concerts and live music in Piazza Umberto, fashion and design shows featuring local excellence, as well as exhibitions and sporting events. The White Night is part of the broader Adrano d'Estate (Adrano Summer) program, the season of musical and cultural events that enlivens the historic center throughout the summer.

When to go

The event is traditionally set for the night between July 2nd and 3rd. The dates for the 2026 edition and the detailed program have not yet been announced as a standalone event: it is likely to be included in the Adrano d'Estate 2026 schedule, which is worth following for updates on the official channels of the Municipality of Adrano.