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The Sicily Calendar of Events in January covers New Year celebrations as well as other religious practices in the island. We have also included the feasts and food festivals during this month.
Sicily Calendar of Events in January
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Ready for your trip to Sicily in January? It is winter on the island during this time. The weather is quite mild so do not expect snowy cold. Unless of course, if you are hiking our beautiful mountains. Make sure to prepare proper gears. Generally, bring winter clothes but do not overdo it. Just enough to keep yourself warm. Do not let the cold hinder you from exploring. If you are from a colder country, Sicily Winter is nothing at all. We suggest walking historical sites. Get a coffee at the bar every now and then. Bars are Italian coffee shops, and they are everywhere. We have also organised a calendar of events for January. Please feel free to use them as a reference to discovering more beautiful places in Sicily.
Capodanno (New Year in Sicily) – January 1st
Spend the first day of the year in Sicily. Start with a unique New Year’s Eve experience. Either join the crowd in the main piazzas with free concert events or dine in with Italian families. Enjoy remembering this unforgettable memory.
Epiphany Fairs in various cities – January 6th
Italians are mostly Christians with 80% in the Roman Catholic faith. Epiphany is a sacred festivity for Catholics. On this occasion, we are reminded of the symbolic baptism of Christ in the Jordan River.
Living Nativity (Presepe Vivente) until January 7th
The Presepe Vivente is a Christian tradition re-enacting the living nativity of Jesus as well as the story of his birth. To illustrate the event, people dressed in ancient costumes. It is common in villages or mountain areas where locals come together.
Festa della Befana – January 6th
Music and women dressing as Christmas Witches (La Befana) greet the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Children receive special sweet treats if they are nice and coal for the naughty ones. You can find charcoal candies in many stores here.
Domenica al museo – every first Sunday
A Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities program. Italy including Sicily implements the Sunday in the Museum project. It allows free entrance for both locals and tourists to museums and sites every first Sunday of the month.
Sagre in Gennaio or Sicilian January Festivals
Sagra or Sagre Paesane are celebrations or festival of anything valuable in a village. It ranges from days honouring their patron saints coupled with Sicilian cuisines and fresh produce presentation of fruits, nuts, wine, and more foods.
Red Orange in Francfonte – January 4th
Sagra del Tarocco in Francofonte, Syracuse is January 4th to 6th. It is an Agro-food event featuring the colors, flavors and smell of the town’s red tarocco oranges. The town also offers a majestic view of Etna as well as old buildings and churches to visit.
Black Pig Festival in Longi- January 5th
Sagra del Suino nero in Longi Messina on January 5th. The Nebrodi mountains is known for its black pig food festivals and Longi is one of the villages that celebrate this event with food tasting of black pork cuisines such as porchetta, prosciutto etc.
Porchetta Festival in Belpasso – January 13th
Sagra della Porchetta in Belpasso, Catania on January 13th. The Italian roasted pork, porchetta originated from Rome but Sicily added its southern flavours. During the feast of Saint Anthony Abbott, the village hold this festival with exhibitions and tastings.
Feast of Sant’Antonio in Santo Stefano Medio – January 17th
The festival is a two-day celebration for Saint Anthony. The residents gathered for local food, history and traditions. They assembled from the church to the village square in a procession. It is to pay tribute to their patron saint.
Maiorchino Cheese Marathon in Novara – January 27th
It is a one of a kind tournament in Messina. The cylindrical Maiorchino pecorino cheese wheeled as a competing object. They roll in the narrow streets of the village. Audience can bet which cheese will win.
Sagra della Focaccetta in Messina – dates to be updated
In honour of Saint Sebastian, the small village of Santa Margherita in Messina also prepare a lively food festival. It involves food, music and dancing. They have the traditional Italian pastry called focaccetta and other tasty cuisines.
Sfincia Festival in Montelepre – January 6th
Sfincia is a poor man’s dessert and a typical Sicilian delicacy. It is sweet and fried. Sicilian bakers prepared it with a mixture of milk, water and flour. After frying, sugar together with cinnamon is added.
Important Feast Day for January
There are Feast Day of other saints in January too. You can experience them in various Sicilian villages. For example, Saint Anthony the Abbot, the patron saint of animals and Saint Sebastian, patron saint of archers.
- Feast of San Basilio Magno
- Festa del Gesù Bambino
- Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot
- Festa of San Mauro Abate
- Feast of San Sebastiano
- Festa di Maria Santissima della Cava a Marsala
- Feste Medievali a Monforte San Giorgio
We hope that the January Calendar of Events in Sicily will help you during your stay. Feel free to visit the official website of the town where the festival is held. It will give you more detailed information about the event.
Have a lovely stay in Sicily!