Palermo’s Notte di Zucchero brings international communities together this weekend

Palermo’s Notte di Zucchero returns on 31 October and 1 November 2026, with an intercultural parade bringing together 11 resident international communities. For newcomers, it offers a chance to encounter the city’s traditions alongside the communities helping to shape them.

The celebration centres on Sicily’s Festa dei Morti, remembering loved ones through shared activities rather than treating the occasion only as a sombre anniversary. The organiser (nottedizucchero.it) describes a programme linking family activities, music and different cultures.

Where to watch the parade

According to the municipality’s announcement of 28 October (comune.palermo.it/novita/notte-di-zucchero-14-edizioni-di-tradizione-memoria-e-dolcezza-palermo-celebra-la-festa-dei-morti), the parade runs from 10:00 to 13:00 on Sunday 1 November. It starts at Piazza Croci, follows Via Libertà and finishes at the Teatro Massimo steps. Participating communities include Bangladesh, Ukraine, Gambia, Romania and Nigeria.

Family activities and costs

On Saturday 31 October, children’s activities run at Molo Sant’Erasmo from 10:00 to 13:00. A family pyjama party follows at Spazio Tre Navate, Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa, from 15:30 to 19:00.

Events are free except the Coco musical at Teatro Al Massimo on Sunday at 16:30: the announced contribution is €3 for children up to 10 and €5 for adults. The evening microtheatre event at Teatro Massimo has controlled admission, so free does not mean unlimited entry.

Check the current programme (nottedizucchero.it/programma-2026) before setting out. All times above are local. Teatro Al Massimo and Teatro Massimo are different venues; check the location for the activity you choose.

Information checked on 28 October 2026.

Illustrative archive photograph of Palermo: Giuseppe Tumbiolo / Unsplash (unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-people-walking-down-a-street-next-to-tall-buildings…), published September 2023, used under the Unsplash License (unsplash.com/license). The people pictured are not identified as festival participants. Cropped and resized.