Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s extravagant wedding festivities in Sicily are sparking mixed reactions in Palermo, where some residents are enjoying the international spotlight while others say the city has been thrown into chaos for days.
After marrying in London last weekend, the pair have headed to the Sicilian capital for a two-day celebration. Reports suggest an A-list guest roster, including Harry Styles, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Donatella Versace, Charli XCX and Mark Ronson, with Italian outlets hailing it as the year’s standout wedding.
But for many locals, the reality on the streets has been less glamorous. With roads shut, tight security zones and event infrastructure taking over parts of the historic centre, some residents say they’ve been left dealing with long detours, limited access and dense crowds of staff and media.
“Sometimes it feels as though the city is becoming a theme park,” said Concetta Chillemi, speaking to the Guardian. She is a shop owner near the Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Palermo, one of the venues being used for the celebrations, reflecting wider concerns about mass tourism and the high-profile events that intensify it.
Others working nearby say they’ve felt the impact too. Clarissa, who works at a bar close to the gallery, told the Guardian she likes Dua Lipa’s music, but believes the arrangements have been excessive.
“It has brought a lot of problems – for example, for three days we’ve been forced to park miles away and walk to work,” she said. “It’s not right to block the city – I could understand if it was for the pope, but not for a singer.”
Still, there are residents who see the celebrations as a clear win for the city. Concetta Picciuca, a hotel worker and self-described fan, argued that the attention is beneficial for local business and suggested those frustrated by traffic should adapt.
“There are people who complain, but I think the event is a good thing because it’s good for the economy,” she said.
Palermo mayor Roberto Lagalla has also backed the staging of the festivities, calling the inconvenience a “small sacrifice” in exchange for tourism exposure and broader publicity.
“Palermo is popular for weddings, whether among famous people or not, because it is a welcoming city,” he said.
The couple reportedly flew into Palermo by private jet on Thursday night and are staying at Villa Igiea, a five-star art nouveau hotel. An entire floor of suites is said to have been reserved to accommodate roughly 200 guests.
Plans for Friday are expected to feature a private visit to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Palermo, before the group heads across to the Palazzo Gangi, where Elton John is rumoured to be performing on piano.
On Saturday, the celebrations are set to shift to Bagheria, a neighbouring town, with the evening centred on Villa Valguarnera—an 18th-century palace owned by a descendant of Sicilian nobility and known as a filming location for Netflix’s Il Gattopardo.
Bagheria residents, too, appear divided. “I like Dua Lipa but what will we get out of all this disruption?” said Maria Aiello, a clothes shop owner. “It’s not as if she’s going to come and buy anything from my shop.”
Dua Lipa’s ties to Palermo appear to go back to 2023, when she was photographed wearing a pink Palermo football club shirt as part of a Foot Locker Europe campaign.
Representatives for Dua Lipa and Callum Turner have been contacted for comment.