OTTOBRATA ZAFFERANESE 2026
Born in the early 1980s, Auto Draft has become one of Sicily’s most eagerly awaited autumn events, returning to Zafferana Etnea across four Sundays in October 2026: grapes on 4 October, honey on 11 October, apples on 18 October, and mushrooms and chestnuts on 25 October. Tastings, show cooking, local crafts, music and cabaret accompany a broader cultural programme of palace tours, photographic exhibitions and a route devoted to the work of Giuseppe Sciuti, as the town marks 200 years of administrative autonomy.
Born in the early 1980s, Auto Draft has grown into one of Sicily’s most eagerly awaited autumn events. Across four Sundays, its programme places the seasonal produce and traditions of Zafferana Etnea at the centre of a wider celebration of food, craftsmanship and local culture.
Each Sunday is devoted to a symbolic product of the area: grapes on 4 October, honey on 11 October, apples on 18 October, and mushrooms and chestnuts on 25 October. Cardinale Pappalardo Square hosts tastings and show cooking, while the gastronomic offer moves from traditional recipes to more contemporary interpretations. Local crafts, music and the cabaret events of the Domeniche del sorriso add further dimensions to the flavours of Mount Etna.
The event also looks beyond the table. Guided tours of the Palazzo di Città, photographic exhibitions and a route dedicated to the work of painter Giuseppe Sciuti offer different ways to encounter the town and its heritage, broadening the story of the territory beyond its food and wine.
The 2026 edition forms part of the celebrations marking 200 years of Zafferana Etnea’s administrative autonomy, placing the Ottobrata in direct conversation with the history of the town.