Last updated: December 01, 2024
Discover the Christmas festivities in Catania with our complete event guide. From traditional celebrations to cultural events, we'll guide you through the most interesting holiday initiatives in this Etnean city.
The baroque historic center transforms during the holidays, with the Christmas market in Piazza Duomo and light decorations adorning Via Etnea. Villa Bellini hosts musical performances, while Piazza Università becomes the meeting point for Sicilian food tastings. Nearby, the living nativity scenes in Acireale and events in the Etnean towns enrich the area's cultural offerings.
Contact information and details below.
A hundred wooden stalls decorated and illuminated.
The Christmas markets at Palazzo Minoriti offer a wide variety of traditional products, holiday decorations, and handmade jewelry. The event is animated by games and workshops for children, with two special attractions in Piazza Università.
Where: Catania | More Info: Christmas Markets at Palazzo Minoriti
Simultaneous lighting of the Christmas tree and festive lights.
The Mercatini di Natale di Piazza Università event is an opportunity to immerse oneself in the festive atmosphere of Catania, featuring a large Christmas tree over 15 meters tall positioned between the artisan market stalls and the Christmas lights of via Etnea.
Where: Catania | More Info: Christmas Markets at Piazza Università
Lighting of the Christmas tree with a musical concert.
The Festa del Fuoco (Zucco) is a Christmas event held at Piazza Duomo, featuring the lighting of the Christmas tree and a musical concert.
Where: Acireale | More Info: Bonfire Festival
Doubled ice skating rink and play areas set up by Lego, Barbie, and Hot Wheels.
The Christmas Town in Catania is a thematic park that transforms the Le Ciminiere exhibition center into a Christmas city with an ice skating rink, play areas set up by Lego, Barbie, and Hot Wheels, Magic Show, Musical, and Christmas Circus performances, a toy factory, and Santa's house.
Where: Catania | More Info: Christmas in Catania
Religious celebration with traditional ceremonies.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a religious event celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary, marked by traditional ceremonies and rituals.
Where: Catania | More Info: Festival of the Immaculate Conception
Traditional dove release during the procession.
The Festa di Santa Lucia di Maggio is a religious event celebrating Siracusa's patron saint, commemorating the miracle of 1646. The festival includes the opening of the niche containing the patron's simulacrum, the transfer of the simulacrum from the chapel to the main altar, and a solemn eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral. The procession of the revered simulacrum traverses the historic streets of Ortigia, culminating in the traditional dove release.
Where: Siracusa | More Info: Feast of Saint Lucy
A unique collection of handmade nativity scenes with various traditions and materials.
The Presepi Artigianali di Caltagirone feature a rich exhibition of handmade nativity scenes, each with a different setting and materials, reproducing ancient Sicilian crafts.
Where: Caltagirone | More Info: Handcrafted Nativity Scenes of Caltagirone