Festa di Sant’Agata (Feast of Saint Agatha) is one of the most spectacular religious festivals in Italy, held each February 3rd to 5th in Catania, Sicily, to honor the city’s patron saint. Over three days, hundreds of thousands of devotees join processions, fireworks, and religious ceremonies celebrating Saint Agatha, who was martyred in the 3rd century. The silver reliquary containing her remains is paraded through the city’s streets, accompanied by songs, candles, and the faithful dressed in white robes known as “cittadini.” The atmosphere is deeply emotional yet festive, blending faith, devotion, and Sicilian pageantry. Revered as both a spiritual and cultural event, the Feast of Saint Agatha is a defining moment in Catania’s identity.
Start with a quick trip form. Weekend in Catania or a Sicily route—we’ll plan the fercolo & Candelore processions, smart vantage points on Via Etnea/Piazza Duomo, fireworks timing, and a walkable stay near the route.
Prefer to talk it through? Book a free intro call.
DATES & TIMES
• Dates: 3–5 February 2026 (Tuesday–Thursday).
• Annual pattern: Main feast always 3–5 February; a summer celebration also takes place around 17 August (Traslazione delle Reliquie) — see the Program.
• The exact timetable publishes annually; check the official Program page for ceremonies, processions and fireworks times.
LOCATION
• Venue: Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata (Duomo) and central streets of Catania — overview on the Cathedral’s Official site.
• Map: Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, Piazza Duomo — Open in Google Maps.
• Getting there: City buses incl. Alibus serve the center; plan routes with AMTS Percorsi & orari.
TICKETS & ENTRY
• Free entry: Religious ceremonies and street processions are free; any controlled‑access areas or barriers are announced by the City/organisers via the Program and Comune channels.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Major moments: Offerta della Cera (3 Feb), long city procession with the fercolo and “candelore” (4 Feb), and Pontifical Mass with fireworks around Piazza Duomo (5 Feb) — see the official Program and Cathedral Site for details.
• Summer feast: Procession with the Velo di Sant’Agata on or around 17 August; see the August schedule on the organiser’s Program (August) page (pattern repeats annually).
• Transport & access: Expect road closures and crowd measures; rely on AMTS updates and Comune notices near the dates.
Tell us your dates, who’s coming, and what else you’d like to see. We’ll suggest a Sicily route that includes the Festa di Sant’Agata at the right moment, with realistic travel days and comfortable home bases.
Prefer to start with a call? Book a free intro call.