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Sapori d'Autunno, the Autumn Food Festival in Isnello

Two November days in Sicily's Madonie Mountains with local food stalls, chestnuts, wine, music and tours of the village and its astronomy park

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The story

Sapori d'Autunno ("Flavours of Autumn") is the food festival, or sagra, with which Isnello, a village of about 1,400 people in the heart of Sicily's Madonie Mountains, celebrates its mountain produce every November. It is run by the young people of the village youth council, the Consulta Giovanile, together with the town council; in its early years the local Pro Loco tourist association was involved too. The festival reached its 5th edition in 2018 and its 6th in 2019, and the 7-8 November 2026 event is the 12th. For the village's young organizers, in a place struggling with depopulation, it is also a way of bringing people and life back to its streets.

The organizers see it as more than a food fair: it is a journey through taste, culture and science. Alongside the stalls lining the streets of the historic center, selling zero-mile produce from Isnello and other villages in the Madonie Regional Park, past editions have offered guided tours of the Baroque churches, the urban geology trail along the Gola, the gorge carved by the stream that runs through the village, walks up to the ruins of the medieval castle and visits to the planetarium at GAL Hassin, the village's astronomy center. There are also talks about the area, such as the 2025 conference "Voci del territorio: dalla terra alla tavola" (Voices of the land: from farm to table), exhibitions and children's workshops.

In the evening the party moves to the squares: in 2025 Piazza Peppino Impastato hosted a tribute concert to Italian singer Adriano Celentano and Piazza Mazzini a stand-up show by comedian Massimo Spata, while dancers in period costume paraded through the streets by day. The festival's signature color is the orange of autumn leaves, used to decorate the whole village, and recent editions have drawn thousands of visitors.

Updates

  • : The Consulta Giovanile has published the official schedule with times: stalls open at 11:00 on Saturday 7 and at 10:30 on Sunday 8 November, with Malarazza playing live in Piazza Mazzini on Saturday evening.

Schedule

  • Food, wine and craft stalls open
  • Guided walk along the Urban Geology Trail (Sentiero Geologico Urbano)
  • GAL Hassin astronomy park: public activities until 18:00, ticket and online booking required
  • "Attenti a quei due", a roving street show in collaboration with the Kiklos Festival
  • Piazza Mazzini: Malarazza 100% Terrone live in concert
  • Food, wine and craft stalls reopen
  • Piazza Peppino Impastato: autumn concert by pupils of the Isnello school
  • Flag-throwers' parade by the Sbandieratori Città di Caccamo
  • Parade of the Bersaglieri brass band from the Casteldaccia section
  • Corso Vittorio Emanuele: lottery draw

What to eat

The heart of the festival is the autumn produce of the Madonie: roasted chestnuts, mushrooms, mountain extra virgin olive oil, ricotta and other cheeses, pomegranates and new-season wine. In 2025 the stalls also served sausage and local meats, stigghiole (grilled lamb or kid intestines, a Palermo street-food classic), boiled meats, pane cunzato (Sicilian bread topped with oil, cheese and tomatoes) and cudduruni, both sweet and savory.

Past editions have also featured wild greens, such as battered cardoons and cicoria maritata, a chicory dish, along with tripe, pasta with beans and traditional sweets.

Local tips

  • Parking

    The stalls take over the streets of the small, hilly historic center. Parking and shuttle buses for 2026 haven't been announced yet: leave the car outside the center and walk. At GAL Hassin, park outside, not in the staff car park.

  • Payments

    The stalls are run by small local producers and associations, so bring some cash, as not all of them may take cards.

  • Crowds and timing

    Recent editions have drawn thousands of visitors, especially in the afternoon and evening. Visits to GAL Hassin must be booked online in advance; for the latest schedule, follow the social media pages of the Consulta Giovanile di Isnello.

  • What to wear

    In November, at almost 600 metres, days can be cool and damp and evenings cold: dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes for the village's steep streets.

Getting there

The festival takes place in the historic center of Isnello, in the Madonie Mountains. Palermo Airport is about 108 km away, just over an hour and a half by car; Catania Airport is about 164 km away. The nearest motorway exit is Cefalù, on the A20.

How to get to Isnello: full guide

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Frequently asked questions

When is Sapori d'Autunno in Isnello in 2026?

On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, in the historic center of Isnello. The stalls open at 11:00 on Saturday and at 10:30 on Sunday; on Saturday at 21:30 Malarazza play live in Piazza Mazzini.

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. Visits to the GAL Hassin astronomy park, however, require a ticket and must be booked.

What food can I try at the festival?

Autumn produce from the Madonie Mountains: roasted chestnuts, mushrooms, sausage and local meats, ricotta and cheeses, mountain olive oil, new-season wine and traditional sweets.

How do I get to Isnello?

The nearest airport is Palermo, about 108 km away, just over an hour and a half by car; Catania Airport is about 164 km away. The nearest motorway exit is Cefalù, on the A20.

Explore the area

Poster for Sapori d'Autunno, the Autumn Food Festival in Isnello 2026
Poster: Consulta Giovanile di Isnello