Events & festivals · Cefalù

Festival

Cefalù Carnival

📅 Every year between Fat Thursday and Shrove Tuesday

In the run-up to Lent, Cefalù fills with masks, confetti and events for children. The town hall builds the programme from proposals by local associations and parishes; the 2026 edition ran 12-17 February.

Patron saint festival

Feast of the Holy Saviour

📅 Every year, 2–6 August

Cefalù's biggest week runs 2-6 August, honouring the Holy Saviour of the Norman cathedral with services, concerts and folk parades — and a greasy-pole contest over the sea to finish.

Palio

'Ntinna a mari

📅 Every year on the afternoon of 6 August

A long pole slicked with grease and soap juts out over the old harbour; whoever walks it and grabs the flag at the tip wins. Cefalù's greasy-pole contest closes the Feast of the Saviour every 6 August.

Festival

International Folklore Festival

📅 Every year in mid-August

Folk music and dance groups from several continents perform in Cefalù's old town each summer. The 2026 edition, on 18 August, brings ensembles from Colombia, Ecuador, New Zealand, Slovakia and Hungary.

Festival

Magico Natale a Cefalù

📅 Every year from early December to 6 January

From early December to Epiphany, Cefalù fills with nativity scenes, concerts and theatre. The Via dei Presepi along via Decano Martino and the Ninnaredda — carols played through the streets — are the highlights.