All Souls’ Day in Sicily: fairs, sweets and folk traditions

In Sicily, All Souls’ Day, celebrated on 2 November, is one of the most deeply rooted traditions of local popular culture. It is an occasion when remembrance of the deceased intertwines with festive moments, especially for children, who, according to an ancient custom, receive sweets and toys as gifts from their departed family members.
Through markets, shows, craft workshops and tastings, numerous Sicilian towns keep this tradition alive with events that showcase a cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation. Among the most representative specialities are pupi di zucchero, colourful handcrafted sugar figures; martorana fruit, marzipan sweets shaped like realistic fruit; and ossa di morto, traditional biscuits prepared for the occasion.

Across the island, the occasion is marked by fairs and events for families. In Palermo, “Notte di Zucchero“returns on 31 October and 1 November for its fourteenth edition, featuring shows, music, theatre, games and activities for children. The free events take place at venues including the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa and the Teatro Massimo, with a programme that also encourages dialogue between different cultures.
The city also hosts two traditional markets: from 27 October to 2 November, the Fiera dei Morti at the Fiera del Mediterraneo features stalls, sweets and attractions for children, while from 29 October to 8 November, Castelnuovo Square hosts the Festa dei Morti Market, with handicrafts, workshops and traditional games.

In Catania, the traditional Fiera dei Morti takes place from 24 October to 2 November along Via Amerigo Vespucci, in the San Giuseppe La Rena neighbourhood. Around 150 exhibitors offer food products, traditional sweets and handicrafts, alongside recreational areas for younger visitors.

From 30 October to 2 November, Syracuse also celebrates the occasion with its Fiera dei Morti at the Foro Siracusano, in the Parco dei Villini area, where markets, street food, music performances and family entertainment accompany the festivities.
During the same period, from 30 October to 1 November, Vizzini, a town associated with the memory of Giovanni Verga, hosts its traditional market fair, featuring handicrafts, agricultural and food products, and goods reflecting the rural culture of inland Sicily.

In Marina of Ragusa, on 2 November, Duca degli Abruzzi Square hosts “C’era una volta… la Festa dei Morti!”, a free afternoon event aimed primarily at children. From 3:30 pm, the programme includes storytelling about local traditions and a street circus performance, encouraging interaction between generations and the passing down of local customs.

Between traditional sweets, markets and cultural events, All Souls’ Day offers an opportunity to rediscover Sicilian traditions and explore how local communities continue to preserve and share them.