As summer fades and the forests of the Madonie turn golden, Castelbuono celebrates one of Sicily's most beloved autumn festivals — three days dedicated to the extraordinary wild mushrooms of the Madonie mountains.
The Funghi Fest was born with the objective of promoting and celebrating the territory and its products — particularly the mushroom and its use in Madonite gastronomy. The festival animates the historic centre of Castelbuono with tastings, exhibitions, music and folkloric performances.
At stands positioned along the main streets and squares of the town, visitors can taste typical local products prepared by local producers, alongside mushroom-based dishes prepared by chefs and traditional sweets, accompanied by excellent local wine.
The festival is a multisensory event celebrating the connection between nature, gastronomy and tradition — with mushroom tastings, show cooking, food workshops, forest excursions, concerts in the historic centre and guided visits.
The Funghi Fest attracts thousands of visitors from across Sicily every year and involves numerous local associations who organise excursions, guided visits, exhibitions and themed conferences.
For the mushroom lover, the Madonie forest mushroom is something truly special — harvested from the ancient chestnut and oak forests that surround Castelbuono, it is the star ingredient of a rich local culinary tradition that extends far beyond the festival itself.
Admission to the festival is free — but bring cash! Beyond the complimentary tastings, the stands offer an irresistible array of local mushroom dishes, Madonie specialities, traditional Sicilian street food and local wines to purchase. And keep an eye out for the stands dedicated to the extraordinary Madonite truffle — one of the region's most prized and rarely celebrated ingredients.
A word of insider advice: the quality and quantity of fresh wild mushrooms on offer varies considerably depending on the autumn harvest — itself increasingly affected by the Sicilian climate. In a warm, dry year you may find the festival leans more toward a general celebration of Madonite food culture than a strictly mushroom-focused event. Either way, the atmosphere is extraordinary and the food is exceptional.
Free to attend. Full programme at www.funghifest.it
Event information is provided in good faith but may be subject to change. We recommend checking with official sources before travelling.