Everything You Need to Know About the Feast of San Gennaro
Looking to visit Little Italy during the Feast of San Gennaro?
This year is the 97th annual Feast of San Gennaro. It is an 11 day festival that starts on September 14 and ends on September 24. It opens at 11:30 AM and it closes at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and closes 11 PM every other day of the week. It is one of our favorite times of the year! The Grand Marshall for this year’s event is actress, Kathrine Narducci and this year’s grand parade will be honoring Italian Americans in professional baseball.
What is it?
The Feast of San Gennaro is a very popular festival in Little Italy, centered around Mulberry Street and Grand Street. It grew from a humble one day religious commemoration honoring Saint Januarius on September 19, 1926 and it is now known for its Italian food, games, live performances, parades, processions and most of all its festive atmosphere. The Feast of San Gennaro celebrates the legacy and traditions of the early Italian immigrants who came to Little Italy decades before. The feast attracts over a million people every year to Little Italy!
What to do?
Take in the atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment
First and foremost, there is nothing like the energy of the Feast of San Gennaro. It is very crowded but everyone is having a good time. There is live entertainment, parades and religious processions. The Grand Procession/ the Grand Parade will be on September 16 from 2 PM to 4 PM. Also keep an eye out for a cannoli eating contest, zeppole eating contest and meatball eating contest! Check out their calendar of events for more information.
Play some carnival games and check out the rides
Carnival games line up throughout the festival each year and you never know, you might just win a prize! There are also carnival rides set up usually on Grand Street which can be fun for the whole family.
Be sure to pick up some food
For us, the food is the biggest draw of the Feast of San Gennaro. Wondering what to try? Glad you ask!
P.C.: yelp, Marieta P.
What to Eat?
Cannoli
Filled with delicious sweet ricotta cream, cannoli are an Italian delicacy and you can get some of the best cannoli in the world right in Little Italy. If you haven’t tried one yet, trust us and put it on your to do list now!
Zeppole
Zeppole are another sweet Italian delicacy and they are quite a popular treat during the Feast of San Gennero. It is a deep fried dough ball covered with powdered sugar and they are really quite addictive.
Italian sausage and peppers sandwiches
If you are looking for delicious lunch in the Feast of San Gennaro, a classic Italian sausage sandwich is an absolute must. Topped with a bunch of onions and peppers, it full of flavor and it just hits the spot.
P.C.: yelp, John Y.