The main 2026 edition of the Feast of Saint Agatha took place in Catania from 3 to 5 February and has ended. This page does not present a past programme as a future one: instead, it explains the festival’s traditional structure, what visitors experience, and how to prepare for the next edition. For future times, routes and safety measures, wait for the official programme from the Municipality and the Archdiocese.
When the Feast of Saint Agatha takes place
The main celebrations return every year on 3, 4 and 5 February. There is also a summer festival on 17 August, connected with the return of the relics to Catania. At the heart of the February experience are liturgy, popular devotion, processions and city rituals that fill the centre for many hours, often well into the night.
What happens on the three main days
| Day | Traditional moments | What visitors should know |
|---|---|---|
| 3 February | Offering of Wax, historic procession and candelore | Crowded city centre and traffic changes from the afternoon |
| 4 February | Dawn Mass, departure of the reliquary bust and the outer procession | One of the most intense moments: long waits and very dense crowds |
| 5 February | Cathedral celebrations and the inner procession | Evening/night procession; it may return very late |
Details change every year. Do not copy departure times, street passages or return times from a previous edition. Use this table to understand the traditional structure, then consult the programme published for the year of your visit.
Fercolo, white sacco and candelore: key terms to know
The fercolo is the monumental carriage that carries the reliquary bust and casket. Devotees wear the traditional white sacco, with a head covering, cord and gloves. Candelore are large decorated votive structures, historically linked to guilds and carried on the shoulders with a distinctive swaying movement.
The festival is not a parade staged for tourists. Many participants experience vows, prayer and physical effort as acts of devotion. Photograph discreetly, do not obstruct the bearers, and follow directions from volunteers and the authorities.
Where to see the festival without getting caught in the crowd
Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral exit offer memorable views, but are also the most congested points. If you are travelling with children, older people or anyone who does not tolerate crowds, choose a wider section of the route and arrive well in advance. Agree on a meeting point away from the crowd: in a dense crowd, a phone may not be enough.
Do not rely on precise timing. The movement of the fercolo, stops and participation can alter the actual schedule. Bring comfortable shoes, water, a layer for the night and light rain protection.
What to bring and how to take photographs without getting in the way
Use a small backpack and keep your hands free. Bring water, a power bank, a warm layer, and only what you can keep close to your body: in a crowd, a wheeled suitcase or bulky backpack becomes an obstacle. Mark the exit point and where to meet your group on an offline map in case the mobile network is congested.
When taking photographs, avoid close-range flash during religious moments, do not climb monuments or street furniture, and do not occupy the path of the fercolo or candelore. A less spectacular position at the side often makes it easier to understand the ritual and leave without crossing the flow of devotees.
Getting around and parking
On the main days, expect closures, diversions, pedestrian zones, and public transport that is altered or enhanced. Leave the car outside the route and continue on foot or with available services. The mobility plan changes for every edition: check the Municipality of Catania and the local transport operator in the days before.
Book accommodation with your return journey in mind
A place to stay near the centre means you are less reliant on taxis that can be hard to find, but it may be noisy and difficult to reach with luggage. Check access and check-in directly with the hotel.
The link between Saint Agatha and the fire of Etna
In Catania’s devotional tradition, Saint Agatha also protects the city from the volcano’s fire. Tradition attributes to the saint’s veil the power to stop or divert lava; the festival’s fires evoke both her martyrdom and this symbolic relationship with Etna. This is a religious and cultural connection, distinct from the scientific explanation of eruptions.
How to combine the festival with an Etna excursion
Set aside separate days. After a night-time procession, an early departure for high altitude is tiring, and city closures can make the meeting point difficult to reach. Catania is not automatically included in the free pick-up stated for Dream Island group tours, which is provided within 30 km of Linguaglossa and only at the listed points.
Half-day Etna trekking
A first visit to Etna North, among the Sartorius Craters and a cave.
€60
Etna at sunset
Volcanic landscapes and late-afternoon light.
€80
Etna and Alcantara Gorges
A day between the volcano and the gorges, with lunch included.
€80
- Half-day Etna North: from €60; useful if you want to keep part of the day for Catania, but allow for the transfer.
- Etna at sunset: from €80; choose it on a day without an evening procession scheduled.
- Etna and Alcantara Gorges: a full day from €80; do not combine it with the festival on the same day.
Frequently asked questions about the Feast of Saint Agatha
Is the 2026 Feast of Saint Agatha still to take place?
No. In September 2026, the main 3–5 February edition had ended. For the next edition, wait for the official programme.
Is the festival free?
Processions and many public moments can be attended without a ticket. Individual events or services may have their own arrangements.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, if you choose less crowded times and points along the route. Avoid the most densely packed areas and prepare an exit plan.
Which are the most important days?
The main processions are concentrated on 4 and 5 February; 3 February introduces the festival with the Offering of Wax and the candelore. Each day has a different meaning.
Can I do Etna and the festival on the same day?
It is possible only with a cautious programme, but it is preferable to keep the experiences separate to avoid traffic, fatigue and incompatible timings.
Official programme and sources
For a future edition, use only the updated calendar and safety plan: