If the cold weather has got you pining for a summer holiday, then we might just be able to provide a taste of one a little earlier than usual. Providing Londoners with a slice of summer and a taste of Italy SicilyFEST: a four-day celebration of all things Sicilian taking place on May 2-5, 2024.
Getting you well and truly ready for summer, this wholesome festival will take place at the Business Design Centre in Islington. This year’s event will – quite literally – be bigger and better than ever as it will be transforming both the mezzanine and the ground floor of the venue into a European escape by way of Mediterranean street food market – and you can nab yourselves some tickets here.
If you’re a big foodie, you’ll feel right at home here. As you stroll through the centre, you can expect to munch on some of the very finest Italian treats, which include – *deep breath* – cannoli, arancini, fritto misto, fresh pasta, pistachio delicacies, Sicilian chocolate, and many more! Plenty of vegan, veggie and gluten-free dishes are on the menu at the festival; and there will also be loads of fine wine, beers, liqueurs and gin to wash down your Sicilian samples. Bellissimo!
All of that grab will be accompanied by a ‘sagra di paese’ atmosphere, which is associated with small towns in Southern Italy where locals, friends, and family gather to eat, drink, dance, or even have a game of cards. All while immersing yourself in the true depth of Sicily’s food and wine? Sounds idyllic to us…
Plus, once you’ve suitably stuffed your faces, there’s plenty to learn. Organised and in collaboration with APCI UK; expert Sicilian and Italian chefs will be on hand at SicilyFest to take you through interactive masterclasses in traditional Sicilian recipes presented with a modern touch.
There will also be a Wine Experience Corner running throughout the four days of the festival, where guests will get the chance to embark on a wine-derful journey around Sicily. Participating wineries are some of the most interesting and highly-esteemed in Sicily, including Cantine Russo, Rio Favara, Pietradolce, Cantine Fina and Dei Pincipi di Spadafora.
Whether you’re nibbling away at some arancini or rating each wine out of 10, you can do so while shaking your hips to the eclectic lineup of music spinning throughout the event. Live performances from the likes of Pino D’Angiò and DJ Tommiboy, Orchestra Popolare de “La Notte della Taranta” and more are guaranteed to finish your food festival off in style. And, there will even be a kid’s corner set up on the Saturday and Sunday of the event to keep the little ones happy too!
Who needs a holiday when you can visit a strip of Sicily right here in London? Book your tickets here for a weekend at SicilyFEST that’s guaranteed to be *chef’s kiss*!