Celebrate La Festa di Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy) in New York City

Join us in New York City to celebrate Santa Lucia on Sunday, December 7 at 2PM at Cacio e Pepe restaurant!

We'll have a full luncheon menu featuring traditional Sicilian foods eaten in honor of Santa Lucia.

The afternoon includes a short concert of Sicilian folk music and a presentation about Santa Lucia and the Sicilian traditions of the feast presented by Allison Scola, owner and curator of Experience Sicily.

The afternoon will include a raffle for artisanal products from Sicily and gift cards from Experience Sicily boutique tours & creative travel planning.

Cost: $100/person, paid in advance. Ticket includes full Sicilian feast menu, wine, entertainment, raffle ticket, tax, and gratuity.

MENU

**Antipasti **

• Zuppa di Maccu di Fave (Fava bean soup)
• Arancine di Carne (Rice balls with meat ragu)
• Arancine di Spinaci (Rice balls with spinach)

**Primo **

• Risotto di funghi (Mushroom Risotto)

**Insalada Mista (served family style)**

**Secondo (Choice of…)**

• Polpette con spinaci e patate (Meat balls with spinach and potatoes)
• Salmone, Fagioli all'uccelletto e cicoria all'aglio (Salmon, green beans and garlic chicory)
• Polletto Al Mattone con patate arrostite e broccoli rape (Baked Cornish hen, roasted potatoes and broccoli rape)

**Dolce**

• Cuccia con Ricotta (Sweet farro with ricotta, orange zest, and candied fruit)

**Beverages**

• A selection of red and white wines are included
• Coffee

About the Feast of Santa Lucia

In the days leading up to the Feast of Santa Lucia, December 13, many Sicilians refrain from eating pasta and only eat un-ground wheat grain, or “farro,” that is prepared as a dish called cuccìa. Devotees observe this ritual to remember the severe famine that struck Siracusa and Palermo in 1646.

During that time of Spanish domination, the faithful prayed to their patron saint, Lucia, seeking relief. Finally in May during a mass, a squawking quail flew into the duomo in Ortigia (NB, the name “Ortigia” comes from the Ancient Greek word “ortyx,” which means quail.). At the same moment, a messenger entered the church announcing that ships had arrived carrying wheat grain. All hailed it a miracle, attributing the relief to Santa Lucia having answered their prayers.

Now, annually for her feast day in December devotees process her precious silver statue through the streets and only eat cuccìa and arancine as homage to the patron saint of eyes, sight, light, and wheat.

Viva Santa Lucia!

Cancellation Policy

You must cancel in writing to [email protected] 36-hours (by 2:59AM on Saturday, December 6, 2025) before the start of this event to receive a refund.

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Host or Publisher Allison Scola of Experience Sicily