What the Festa del Cannolo is
Three days devoted to the Sicilian cannolo in the historic centre of Nicosia, between piazza Garibaldi and piazza Marconi: pastry chefs’ counters, tastings, show cooking, workshops for local students and live music. At its heart is the contest between master pastry chefs.
The second edition runs from 9 to 11 October 2026. The contest takes place on Saturday 10 October, with eleven master pastry chefs from different Sicilian provinces and a jury chaired by Giusi Battaglia; chef Fabio Potenzano’s show cooking is on Saturday 10 at 12:00. The Women Orchestra play on Saturday night, the Mizzica Swing on Sunday. For times and access, the organisers’ programme applies.
The Nicosian cannolo
Out of contest, Nicosia’s pastry chefs serve the local cannolo: a fragrant, thin and crumbly «scorcia» (shell) and a filling of local sheep’s-milk ricotta.
The first edition
10 to 12 October 2025: more than 12,000 cannoli sold, the contest won by Lillo Freni of the Freni pastry shop in Messina, and the area’s accommodation fully booked. The Region of Sicily is funding the second edition with the maximum grant of its 2026 programme for identity-related events.
If you are coming from out of town
Nicosia is reachable in a day from Catania, Palermo, Enna and Caltanissetta. For those who want to stay overnight, the Nebrodi agriturismi are bookable through the partner Nicosia di Sicilia ETS-APS.
Sources: Official programme of the Festa del Cannolo (festadelcannolo.it, updated 7 October 2026, read 11 October 2026: Potenzano’s show cooking on Saturday 10 at 12:00); Telenicosia, 24 September 2026 (dates, programme, jury, contest on the 10th); Telenicosia, 17 July 2026 (regional grant, first-edition figures); Telenicosia, 3 April 2026 (council resolution, promoting associations); Telenicosia, 15 October 2025 (first edition, Nicosian cannolo out of contest).
