The most heartfelt event of the year in Cefalù is the feast of Santissimo Salvatore, from 2 to 6 August, with the 'ntinna a mare on the afternoon of the 6th. Around it come the summer programme on the seafront, spring festivals, autumn food fairs and the Magico Natale at Christmas. Here we put them in order month by month, with the dates of the latest editions: programmes change every year, so always check the official calendar before you travel.
By Alessandra, Giuseppe and Salvatore Livecchi · updated October 2026 · 4 min read
Cefalù events at a glance
August is the month for events: the patron saint's feast, free concerts on the Lungomare Giardina and shows at Castello Bordonaro almost every evening. July has a similar, slightly lighter programme. From December to Epiphany the old town fills with lights, nativity scenes and concerts in Piazza Duomo. In spring and autumn there are fewer events but a calmer town: festivals, exhibitions at the Ottagono di Santa Caterina and plays at the Teatro Comunale Salvatore Cicero.
For the weather and crowds in each period, see also our guide on the best time to visit Cefalù.
Spring: Holy Week, theatre and Earth Day
During Holy Week the Cathedral hosts celebrations led by the Bishop, and on Good Friday evening the procession crosses the old town.
Between February and May the Teatro Comunale Salvatore Cicero hosts the contemporary theatre season "Cosa porta il vento", which reached its third edition in 2026, with the last show on 3 May. April brings Earth Day Cefalù: in 2026 it ran from 22 to 26 April, with the Eco Village in Piazza Cristoforo Colombo open from 10am to 10pm. The Ottagono di Santa Caterina, the octagonal church near the Cathedral, hosts art exhibitions throughout the year.
June: craft beer and a regatta
In 2026 the Lungomare Giardina hosted Cefalù Street Beer, with craft beers, from 25 to 28 June, and on 20 and 21 June the 13th sailing regatta of the Borghi più belli d'Italia, the association of Italy's most beautiful villages. In previous years, between May and June, there were also the Cefalù Beer Fest and the Cefalù Pizza Fest: the names and dates of the food festivals change from year to year.
July: the summer programme begins
In July the town council's summer programme begins. The biggest concerts are held on the Lungomare Giardina at 10pm, while theatre, comedy and music take place at Castello Bordonaro. In 2026, for example, Serena Brancale played on the seafront on 29 July, and from 24 July, for three days, the Coldiretti village brought street food and folk music to the seafront.
The outlying villages have their own calendar: in 2026 the evenings in Spinito and Sant'Ambrogio began on 4 July.
August: the feast of Santissimo Salvatore and the concerts
The patron saint's feast, for Santissimo Salvatore to whom the Cathedral is dedicated, runs from 2 to 6 August. On the 6th, the feast of the Transfiguration, the 'ntinna a mare takes place at 4pm at the Vecchia Marina, as it has since 1783: a long greased pole is fixed horizontally over the water and young men try to walk along it to grab the flag at the end, amid splashes and applause. In the evening the procession carries the Salvatore through the streets, and at midnight fireworks close the feast. To see the 'ntinna up close, get to the little harbour well in advance.
The same month brings the most awaited concerts on the seafront: in 2026 Baby K on 5 August and Michele Zarrillo on the 21st, in 2025 Irene Grandi, Edoardo Bennato and Coma_Cose. From 3 to 16 August 2026 the Ottagono di Santa Caterina hosted the Cefalù Art Expo.
September and October: wine, food and theatre
As summer ends, shows return to the Teatro Cicero: in 2026, "Canzoni raccontate" by Alessio Alessandra on 20 September and "Voyage", with film and video game soundtracks, on the 27th. In recent years Piazza Cristoforo Colombo has hosted food and wine festivals such as Kefa Wine (20 to 25 September 2024) and Fudda Fest (26 to 29 September 2024); in October there was the Eat Capone festival in 2022 and 2023, and on 17 October 2025 Sicily Food Vibes, celebrating Sicily as European Region of Gastronomy.
November: the strawberry tree festival in Sant'Ambrogio
In the village of Sant'Ambrogio, on the coast east of Cefalù, November brings the festival of the corbezzolo, the red fruit of the strawberry tree typical of Mediterranean scrubland: the latest edition was on 8 and 9 November 2025. It is a good reason for an off-season trip, combined with a walk along the coast.
December and January: Magico Natale and New Year's Eve in the square
From 6 December to 6 January the town council organises the Magico Natale a Cefalù, with a programme for children too; the 2025-2026 edition also had a separate calendar for Sant'Ambrogio. Between Christmas and New Year, Piazza Duomo becomes a concert stage: in 2025 the Baltimora Gospel Singers on 29 December, Delia on the 30th and the New Year's Eve party in the square on the 31st.
Where to find the up-to-date programme
The official calendar is on the Cefalù town council events page; Visit Cefalù lists the dates of concerts and shows. In 2026 the August programme was presented in mid-July: for the summer, check from early July.
If you are coming for an event in town, Casa del Duomo is one minute from the square and two from the seafront. From the villas at Salinelle the centre is a few minutes by train from Lascari station, or by car, leaving it in the car parks outside the restricted zone.
