La Festa Italiana, one of Jersey City’s longest-running cultural festivals, will return from August 13–17 with five days of live music, Italian food, and community events in the city’s historic Village neighborhood.
The festival will take place on Sixth and Brunswick streets and run from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and from 2 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Now in its 122nd year, La Festa Italiana is organized by Holy Rosary Church, the first Italian parish established in New Jersey. The event features food from local vendors, nightly concerts, games and rides for children, and a series of public masses and processions.
“People absolutely love this event,” said Festival Chairman Nick Grillo. “They plan days off, vacations, even weddings around these five days. It’s wonderful to still see so much excitement around this century-old event in this ever-changing city.”
A different band will perform each evening starting at 7 p.m. Scheduled performers include Toga Party Band on Wednesday, The Counterfeiters on Thursday, Promised Land on Friday, The Cameos on Saturday, and Soul Machine on Sunday.
Food vendors will offer a wide range of Italian fare, including sausage and pepper sandwiches, rice balls, wood-fired pizza, mozzarella sandwiches, and desserts such as cannoli and zeppole.
Proceeds from the event benefit Holy Rosary Church. The church will host a series of religious observances during the festival. On Friday, August 15, Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. for the Feast of the Assumption. On Saturday, August 16, a Healing Mass will be held in honor of St. Rocco. On Sunday, August 17, the festival will conclude with a Feast Day Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by a street procession featuring statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Rocco.
More information can be found on La Festa Italiana’s website.