Every day of the year
What's on today?
There is almost always something happening here: between Capo d'Orlando, the coast and the Nebrodi villages, some feast, food festival or procession is under way. And when there isn't, there are the things you can do anyway.
Anyway, always
Six things that don't depend on the calendar, the weather or hydrofoil timetables.
01
Climb to the Sanctuary
The 230 steps up the headland: from the top you can see the islands and, on clear days, the coast as far as Cefalù. Best early in the morning.
02
Do nothing on the rooftop
140 m² of terrace on the seventh floor. It counts as an activity, and it's the best one at sunset.
03
Set off for the Aeolians
First hydrofoil from Milazzo, 45 minutes away: Vulcano and Lipari fit into a day. Or take the house RIB from the marina below.
04
Head up into the Nebrodi
The Lago Biviere loop or the Catafurco waterfall, then lunch at an agriturismo. It doesn't depend on the sea: it works even when the hydrofoils don't sail.
05
Pick the right beach
Gentle sand at San Gregorio for children, pebbles and deep water below the headland for snorkelling. Everything changes within two kilometres.
06
Have breakfast properly
Granita with brioche col tuppo, seated, on the corso. The most Sicilian thing you'll do, and the cheapest.
The year's calendar
Patron saint feasts, food festivals and fairs across the area, month by month. Committee dates can shift by a few days: ask us before setting off.
January
- 5Salami Fair · Sant'Angelo di BroloDevoted to Sicily's only IGP cured meat.
- 17Saint Anthony Abbot · San Marco d'Alunzio
- 17–20Saint Sebastian — i nudi · Tortorici and MistrettaDevotees run bare-chested in the depths of January.
- 27Saint Benedict the Moor · San Fratello
February
- 2–3Candlemas and Saint Blaise · Militello Rosmarino
- 5Penitential procession of San Calogero · San Salvatore di FitaliaNo band, no firecrackers: only silence.
- 20Saint Leo · Longi
March
- 5San Cono and Saint Vincent — remembering the 1823 earthquake · Naso and Castell'Umberto
- 19Saint Joseph · Sant'Agata di Militello
- 25Maria SS. Annunziata · Brolo and Alcara Li Fusi
April
- 4–5Saint Vincent Ferrer — liturgical feast · Castell'UmbertoA stop at the Serro di San Vincenzo to bless the countryside.
- 25Saint Mark · San Marco d'Alunzio
May
- 3–5Saint Nicholas · Alcara Li Fusi
- 10Feast of the Three Saints · San Fratello
June
- 24Festa del Muzzuni · Alcara Li FusiA Saint John's rite with pre-Christian roots.
July
- 25–26Saint James · Galati Mamertino and Capizzi
- 25Granita Grand Gala · Capo d'Orlando, Piazza Matteotti
- 28Piscittina Fest — beer and street food · Capo d'Orlando
August
- 5–6Terra di Vini — wine masterclasses and tastings · Capo d'Orlando, Porto Marina
- 9Sapore di Sale — the bluefish festival · Borgo San Gregorio
- 15Maria SS. di Porto Salvo — procession by sea · Capo d'OrlandoThe fishermen's boats in procession, and fireworks at night.
- 18Saint Sebastian · Mistretta
- 19–21San Calogero — the three rises and falls · San Salvatore di FitaliaThe peak is the 20th. Tens of thousands of pilgrims.
- 20–21San Calogero — the weighing of the children · Cesarò
- 23The Crucifix and Saint Leo · Longi
- 26–28Saint Vincent Ferrer — the great feast · Castell'UmbertoOn the 28th the litter, dressed in gold and bells, crosses the whole village.
September
- 1Saint Cono · NasoListed in Sicily's Register of Intangible Heritage.
- 7–8The Black Madonna of Tindari · Tindari, PattiProcession on the evening of the 7th, Pontifical mass on the 8th.
- 7–8Madonna della Luce and the dance of the giants · MistrettaThe papier-mâché giants Kronos and Mytia dance through the village.
- 24–27Beer Festival · Capo d'Orlando
- 25Madonna della Catena · San Marco d'Alunzio
- 29Saint Michael the Archangel · Sant'Angelo di Brolo and RaccuiaA Norman cult: the Archangel who held the sun still for Roger d'Altavilla.
October
- 22Maria Santissima — patron of Capo d'Orlando · Capo d'OrlandoAt dawn, the 230 steps to the sanctuary; at night, fireworks over the seafront.
November
- 14–15Historic livestock fair · Sant'Agata di Militello
December
- 6Saint Nicholas · Capizzi
- 9Immaculate Conception · Raccuia
- 28San Cono and Saint Vincent — remembering the 1908 earthquake · Naso and Castell'Umberto
Movable dates
- MarchThe Babbaluti — Holy Crucifix of Aracoeli · San Marco d'Alunzio — last Friday of MarchThirty-three barefoot penitents hooded in blue.
- Holy WeekFesta dei Giudei · San Fratello — Holy Wednesday to Good Friday
- Holy WeekProcession of the Cross · in every village — Good Friday
- SeptemberHazelnut Festival · Ucria — in September
- OctoberMushroom Exhibition and Festival · Ucria — in autumnA mycological exhibition with some 250 species.
- OctoberBlack pork and porcini festival · Cesarò — on October weekends
- OctoberOctoberfish · Caronia — in October
- OctoberChestnut Festival · San Salvatore di Fitalia — last weekend of OctoberA market of Nebrodi produce.
- OctoberSanfratellano horse fair · San Fratello — in October
- DecemberNovena and Cantata di li pastura · San Marco d'Alunzio — the Christmas novena
Stay in Capo d'Orlando
A base in the centre — and everything else becomes a day trip.
The port for the Aeolians is 45 minutes away, the Nebrodi right behind. Breakfast served early for dawn departures.
Direct booking, no intermediaries · See the rooftop →