INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis will host the annual Italian Street Festival, presented by Holy Rosary Catholic Church, on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, 2026. The free, family-friendly event will transform the historic streets of downtown, specifically around 520 Stevens St. and Lacy Park, into an Italian piazza from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. both days.
The festival, a beloved 41-year tradition, aims to immerse thousands of visitors in authentic Italian culture, celebrating faith, family and heritage. All proceeds generated from the event will support the Holy Rosary Church Operation Fund and its vital community outreach programs.
The festival will feature more than 25 food stands offering a variety of Italian cuisine, including savory pastas, traditional Italian meats, crisp salads and desserts like cannolis and cheesecakes. Lisa Meister, the kitchen manager, noted the return of popular items such as meatball sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, tiramisu, spaghetti and meatballs and bruschetta.
The festival will introduce a new sandwich this year, the Pino Rosinio, which features ham, salami, pepperoni, a special sauce, lettuce, cheese and banana peppers.
Meister explained that Holy Rosary’s Father Jerry Byrd named the new sandwich. She added that meatballs on a stick and fried ravioli will also be available for those enjoying music in Lacy Park.
Meister highlighted the fresh preparation of their desserts. “We actually make the cream on Wednesday and Thursday,” Meister said, referring to the cannolis. “So it’s nice and fresh and we fill the cannolis at the time of when you come up to the dessert booth, we fill them right then and there.”
She stated that approximately 7,000 cannolis are sold, with a “Captain Cannoli” delivering them in the park on Friday and Saturday. The church also prepares about 120 buckets of their famous sauce to go, a process that takes three days with the help of volunteers.
Live entertainment will feature four popular Indianapolis acts, along with Italian classics by Caruso and Sinatra played throughout the grounds.
A Marian procession, a long-standing tradition, will take place Saturday at 6:45 p.m. It will include a statue of the Blessed Virgin, priests and members of the Italian Heritage Society, with vocal accompaniment by the Indianapolis Opera.
A festival Mass will follow immediately at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13.
Other attractions include the “Italian Machine” display, featuring Ducati motorcycles and Vespa scooters.
The Italian Heritage Society of Indiana will host bocce demonstrations and open play at the Lacy Park Bocce Courts at McCarty and Greer streets.
Interactive inflatables and activities will be available for children and teenagers, and an “Indy sign” will be on-site for photo opportunities.
Guests can find free parking in the Eli Lilly lots on East and New Jersey Sts. While admission is free, food and drink items require tickets, which can be purchased at three booths: one on E St., one at the end of E St., and one in the park gazebo.
Cash and credit cards are accepted and ATMs will be available. Food items are generally priced under $10. Kay Feeney-Caito, a guest speaker, advised attendees to wear comfortable shoes due to the festival’s popularity and encouraged early arrival. Feeney-Caito also described the event as a “neighborhood event” that celebrates the surrounding community of Holy Rosary.
For more information, visit www.indyitalianfest.org.
Dining and Cooking