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Cheese Festival in Collesano

The Collesano Cheese Festival: two November days in Sicily's Madonie Mountains with local cheeses, fresh ricotta, street food, music and village tours

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The story

The Sagra del Formaggio, or cheese festival, is how Collesano, a village of about 3,600 people in Sicily's Madonie Mountains, celebrates its dairy tradition. After fourteen editions as a classic village sagra, in 2022 the local Pro Loco tourist association relaunched it under a new name, the Collesano Cheese Festival. The first edition in the new format, from 16 to 18 August 2022, brought a wine-and-cheese pairing masterclass run by ONAF, Italy's national organization of cheese tasters, an amateur cooking contest and stalls from local producers, including a farm making cheese from the milk of organically raised Cinisara goats.

In recent years the festival has been held in November. In 2023, from 3 to 5 November, the main street hosted a market area for tasting and buying cheese, with ricotta made live in front of visitors, while the cloister of the Santa Maria di Gesù historical archive staged a masterclass on Sicily's five PDO cheeses, each paired with a wine, and Piazza Duomo held a home-cooking contest for amateurs. The 17th edition, on 15 and 16 November 2025, was promoted by the town council together with the Pro Loco Collesano and, for the first time, the village youth council, with support from the Sicilian Region's agriculture department.

The heart of the event is the "viale del gusto", a food trail through the streets of the historic center where exhibitors and dairy farms showcase their products. Around it there is live music, street performers and folk groups, cooking shows, children's entertainment and guided tours of the village's historic and artistic heritage. The 2026 edition, the 18th according to the official poster, takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.

Updates

  • : The official poster for the 18th Cheese Festival is out, with the schedule and times for Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.

Schedule

  • Opening of the Cheese Festival and of the food stalls; guided tours of the village starting from Piazza Mazzini
  • Drummers I cugini di Licata
  • "Balliamo il liscio", an evening of Italian ballroom dancing with the FuoriSkema, in Piazza Quattro Cannoli
  • "Dopo cheese" late-night set with the Lady V live band in Piazza Mazzini
  • Guided tours of the village starting from Piazza Mazzini
  • Folk group i Terrazzani and children's entertainment in Piazza Quattro Cannoli
  • Live music with The Sound Band in Piazza Quattro Cannoli
  • Folk group parading through the streets of the center
  • Closing night "Balliamo a ritmo latino", Latin dance with Full Voice and Anthony Dance, in Piazza Quattro Cannoli

What to eat

The stars are the cheeses of the Madonie and fresh ricotta, which in recent editions has been made live in front of the crowds. Along the food trail you'll also find traditional Sicilian street food and local specialties; past editions have featured honey, preserves and cheeses made from Cinisara goat's milk.

Before you leave, try the cassatina di Collesano, the village's own pastry, made with almond paste, sweetened ricotta, icing and candied fruit.

Local tips

  • Parking

    The historic center is small and hilly: leave the car in the car parks outside the center and walk. Road closures or shuttle buses for 2026 haven't been announced yet.

  • Payments

    The stalls are run by small producers, so bring some cash, as not all of them may take cards. At past editions, masterclasses and workshops were paid and had to be booked.

  • Crowds and timing

    On Saturday the festival kicks off at 5pm and the music goes on late into the night; if you'd rather browse the stalls at a relaxed pace, go on Sunday morning, when guided tours leave Piazza Mazzini at 10:15am.

  • What to wear

    In mid-November, at nearly 500 metres, evenings are chilly: dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes for the village's steep streets.

Getting there

The festival takes place in the historic center of Collesano, in the Madonie Mountains. Palermo Airport is about 97 km away, just under an hour and a half by car; Catania Airport is about 153 km away. By train, get off at Campofelice di Roccella on the coast, about 14 km from the village.

How to get to Collesano: full guide

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Frequently asked questions

When is the Collesano Cheese Festival in 2026?

On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, in the historic center of Collesano. Saturday starts at 5pm with the opening of the stalls; on Sunday guided tours start at 10:15am and the closing night begins at 7:30pm in Piazza Quattro Cannoli.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, entry was free at past editions: you only pay for the food and products you buy at the stalls. Masterclasses and workshops, when offered, are paid and must be booked.

Are the Sagra del Formaggio and the Collesano Cheese Festival the same event?

Yes: after fourteen editions as a sagra, since 2022 the Pro Loco has run it under the name Collesano Cheese Festival.

How do I get to Collesano?

The nearest airport is Palermo, about 97 km away, just under an hour and a half by car; Catania Airport is about 153 km away. The nearest train station is Campofelice di Roccella, about 14 km away.

Explore the area

Poster for Cheese Festival in Collesano 2026
Poster: Pro Loco Collesano