Carnival in Sicily: traditions, masks and flavours between satire and folklore
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Carnival in Sicily is an ancient and exuberant celebration that blends gastronomy, folk theatre, traditional masks and collective rituals.
From Sciacca to Acireale, from Avola to Termini Imerese, and through Palazzolo Acreide, each town and village preserves its own version of Carnival, featuring float parades, symbolic puppets, dances and feasts.
A living heritage of culture, satire and local identity that spans generations and landscapes.
Carnival between rituals, masks and flavours
Sicilian Carnival has ancient origins rooted in both pagan rites and Christian traditions.
It is the festival of abundance before Lent, a celebration of life marked by rich meat sauces, rustic vegetable soups and traditional sweets such as Scicli’s teste di turco, Messina’s pignolata, fried chiacchiere and ricotta sfinci.
In the town squares parade characters like Peppi ‘Nappa, knights, comic doctors and traditional carnival masks.
Here, allegorical floats take shape, along with historical pantomimes, dances and theatrical performances that playfully satirise society.
Historic Carnivals: from Acireale to Avola
The Carnival of Acireale (CT) is one of the island’s oldest and most spectacular, featuring papier-mâché floats, satire and characters such as the abbatazzu.
In Avola (SR), Carnival lasts four days with flower-decorated floats, parades of Sicilian carts and traditional dialect songs.
In Palazzolo Acreide, people dance in the square and feast on cavati and sausage.
In Chiaramonte Gulfi, the Sausage Festival accompanies the celebrations, while in Termini Imerese festivities centre around the symbolic puppets of the Nannu and Nanna, with public satire and final bonfires.
Satire, folklore and creativity from Sciacca to Novara and Gioiosa
In Sciacca (AG), one of the island’s most renowned Carnivals, the art of papier-mâché brings gigantic floats and dialect performances to life, ending with the symbolic burning of Peppi ‘Nappa.
In Corleone, the tradition of the Nanno is renewed each year, carried on the shoulders of the riavulicchiu.
In Gioiosa Marea (ME), the Murgo Carnival takes centre stage, inspired by Argentine culture.
In Novara di Sicilia, alongside the celebrations, the maiorchino tournament unfolds, with wheels of pecorino rolled through the streets and an inevitable food festival to conclude the event.
