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A slice of Palermo-style sfincione, a thick, fluffy base topped with tomato sauce and oregano
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Sfincione Fest in Bagheria

Four November days of Sicilian street food in the town of villas near Palermo, with Bagheria's white sfincione, red sfincione from nearby towns, cooking shows and free concerts

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The story

The Sfincione Fest is Bagheria's celebration of sfincione, the thick, fluffy focaccia-style pizza of western Sicily, and above all of the town's own version: white sfincione, made without tomato and topped with onion, tuma cheese, ricotta and anchovies from Aspra. The festival centers on Corso Umberto I, where bakeries set up their wooden stalls. By its third edition, on 23 and 24 November 2019, it was promoted by the La Piana d'Oro association together with the Pro Loco Città delle Ville and the town council, with the stated aim of winning protected designation of origin (DOP) status for sfincione; actor Sasà Salvaggio was its ambassador.

Over the years the festival has grown to three or four days. At the seventh edition, from 22 to 24 November 2024, Bagheria's bakeries made the white sfincione while other stalls served the red kind from Palermo, Monreale, Piana degli Albanesi, Misilmeri, Corleone, Camporeale, Santa Flavia and Ficarazzi. Cooking shows and bakers' contests took place in front of Villa Palagonia, talks in Piazza Butifar and concerts in Piazza Madrice.

The eighth edition, from 20 to 23 November 2025, added a pizza area in Piazza Garibaldi, sfincione tastings in the Hall of Hercules at Villa Palagonia and Michelin-starred street food by chef Nino Ferreri, plus discounts for organized groups at Villa Cattolica, Villa Palagonia and the Certosa. The ninth edition, from 19 to 22 November 2026, is co-organized by Sicilian Innovation, La Piana d'Oro and the Bagheria town council: besides the Case dello Sfincione stalls along Corso Umberto I, it brings guided tastings, a kids' area, the Villa Palagonia Experience and the debut of the "Best Bakers of the World", an international award for the best baker in the world, in Europe and in Italy. The free evening shows in Piazza Madrice feature Tiromancino and Lorenzo Fragola among others, and Sasà Salvaggio is back as one of the festival's ambassadors.

Updates

  • : The organizers have published the official programme of the ninth edition: evening concerts in Piazza Madrice from 19 to 22 November, with Lidia Schillaci, Tiromancino, Chris Clun and Lorenzo Fragola.

Schedule

  • The ninth edition opens: the Case dello Sfincione stalls open along Corso Umberto I
  • In the evening, Lidia Schillaci in concert in Piazza Madrice
  • In the evening, Tiromancino in concert in Piazza Madrice
  • In the evening, Chris Clun in concert in Piazza Madrice
  • Final day: in the evening, Lorenzo Fragola in concert in Piazza Madrice

What to eat

The star is Bagheria's white sfincione, found between Bagheria and Altavilla Milicia: instead of tomato it has stewed onion, tuma cheese, sheep's ricotta and Aspra anchovies under a topping of breadcrumbs and oregano. Alongside it comes the red Palermo-style sfincione, with tomato sauce and onion, baked by the guest towns' bakeries.

Recent editions have also brought pizza, street food and food stalls from other Italian regions, along with tastings from the competing bakers.

Local tips

  • Parking

    In 2025 the council designated parking on Via Mattarella, Piazza Stazione, Via Falcone Morvillo, Via Borsellino and Via Basile, and Via Santa Marina, about a 1.5 km walk from Corso Umberto I, with campervans directed to Piazza Doglio. The 2026 arrangements haven't been announced yet: check the council's notices before you go, or come by train.

  • Payments

    The stalls are run by bakeries and small vendors, so keep some cash handy, as not all of them may take cards.

  • Crowds and timing

    Evenings and the weekend get very crowded on the Corso, especially on concert nights in Piazza Madrice. For a relaxed tasting, come in the late afternoon on the first days.

  • What to wear

    Late November evenings can be cool and damp: bring a jacket and comfortable shoes, as you'll be on your feet moving from stall to stall.

Getting there

The festival takes place on Corso Umberto I in the center of Bagheria. Palermo Airport is about 46 km away, around 45 minutes by car (Bagheria exit on the A19); by train from Palermo Centrale it's about 20 minutes, then a 1.5 km walk from the station.

How to get to Bagheria: full guide

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Frequently asked questions

When is the Sfincione Fest in Bagheria in 2026?

The ninth edition runs from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November 2026, along Corso Umberto I and in the town-center squares, with a concert every evening in Piazza Madrice.

Who is playing at Sfincione Fest 2026?

The official programme lists Lidia Schillaci on Thursday 19, Tiromancino on Friday 20, Chris Clun on Saturday 21 and Lorenzo Fragola on Sunday 22 November, all in Piazza Madrice.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, entry is free, concerts in Piazza Madrice included: you only pay for the food and products you buy at the stalls.

What is white sfincione?

It's Bagheria's take on sfincione: no tomato, but onion, tuma cheese, sheep's ricotta and Aspra anchovies, topped with breadcrumbs and oregano.

How do I get to Bagheria without a car?

By train from Palermo Centrale, with frequent services taking about 20 minutes; from the station it's about a 1.5 km walk to the Corso. There are also direct trains from Palermo Airport, taking about an hour.

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