Events
Festivals in Palermo
Palermo is a vibrant, sun drenched city that brims with cultural and historic events, which keep the traditions of the centuries and make the place a popular spot for leisure and entertainment. We have chosen some of the major events, which are definitely worth checking when in town. Note that if your holiday in Palermo matches one of these events, it is advisable to book a room in a hotel way in advance.
Summer festival
From June until September, during the whole summer period, Palermo's squares and streets accommodate a variety of events and shows of all sorts. The city livens up and one can encounter travelling theatre performances, musical and folklore events almost everywhere in the city.
During the summer season, the theatre performances go out of the Teatro Massimo into the open-air. A number of musical shows and performances are held in the "Teatro di Verdura" which boasts over 2200 seats.
Festival of Santa Rosalia
During the first weeks of July, Palermo celebrates the Festival of Santa Rosalia. The event dates back to the 16th century and commemorates the patron saint of Palermo, who rescued the city from a horrible plague in the 16th century. During the festival, the city accommodates a number of travelling and musical theatres that perform different aspects of the saint's life. The culmination of the festival is when an attractive procession in a huge cart goes from Cassaro to the Marina. Afterwards spectacular fireworks illuminate the city's skyline.
Teatro Massimo
The major theatre in Palermo - Teatro Massimo first opened in 1897 and soon developed as the cultural focal point of the city. It is open from October until May. The theatre features opera, concerts and ballet performances from both local and international artists.
Festival di Morgana
Each year in November, is held the Festival di Morgana. The event dates back to 1985, when it was first organised as a celebration of the art of the marionettes. It was established by the Association for the Preservation of Folk Traditions. The festival features a series of performances, which present the skills of the historic Sicilian Pupari Families. These theatrical companies still maintain the art of puppetry, which UNESCO has declared cultural heritage of humanity.
Merit Cup Windsurf World Festival
The prestigious Merit Cup Windsurf World Festival is held every year in May in Mondello. The event gathers celebrated windsurfing champions from around the globe. The surrounding scenery of Palermo's valley and Mondello, display the true Sicilian essence at its best and therefore are the perfect setting for this event. The festival has 20 years of continuous success tied up within the surf table world.
