It’s time for cannolis, pizza, music and so much more as the San Gennaro Festival returns to New York City this month!
The Feast of San Gennaro 2023 will be in Little Italy, Manhattan, Thursday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 24.
It celebrates the life of San Gennaro of Naples, who was Bishop of Benevento, Italy, and was martyred in 305 AD. It is also a celebration of the immigrants who came to New York and brought their faith and belief in San Gennaro with them.
This year’s grand marshal for the feast is actress, Kathrine Narducci, known for many roles including “Charmaine Bucco” on HBO’s, ‘The Sopranos.’
Psst…Check out more Carnivals, Festivals and Parades: September 2023.
What to Expect at the San Gennaro Festival in NYC This Year
Each year tens of thousands of people pass through Little Italy to help celebrate at the feast, and enjoy lots of food (including cannolis!) drink, play games, ride the rides, and pay tribute to San Gennaro for his help and guidance.
People from all over New York, the metro area, across the United States and across the world come to the festival to celebrate Little Italy and New York.
“The festival was started 97 years ago and remains as important as ever to the Italian community in New York and beyond,” Gail Tweedy, a publicist for the feast said. “It remains 10 days when we are all just a little Italian. Did someone say pass the pasta? And I need a cannoli.”
Highlights of the San Gennaro Festival in NYC
There will be lots of food, live entertainment and over 300 vendors from around the world. Highlights of the San Gennaro Festival include:
Blessing of the Strands: Sept. 14; 6pm, 268 Mulberry St. Johnny Mandolin & Friends will open the festival at 5pm, followed by the Blessing of the Strands at 6pm.
The Grand Procession: Sept. 16, 2pm, 268 Mulberry St.; See floats, a gondola, antique cars and the statue of San Gennaro honoring the armed forces. The Red Mike Festival Band will perform.
Keste Pizza Demonstration: Sept. 17, 1pm; Mott Street and Grand Street
Karaoke Night: Sept. 17, 7pm; Mott Street and Grand Street. Get your voice ready for this fun talent show!
The Annual Enrico Caruso Opera Night: Sept. 18, 7pm; Mott Street and Grand Street
Solemn High Mass Celebrating the Patron Saint of Naples: Sept. 19, 6pm; Church of the Most Precious Blood, 113 Baxter St. A religious procession with the statue of San Gennaro.
Live Radio Broadcast: Sept. 23, 7pm; Mott Street and Grand Street. WCBS-FM’s Joe Causi and guests will broadcast live from the feast.
Mutti USA, a producer of tomato products, is a sponsor of the San Gennaro Festival. Representatives will be giving out samples at the festival.
History of the Feast
When Italian immigrants came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century and settled on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, those from different regions of Italy settled on a different street. The Neapolitans settled on Mulberry Street.
Keeping their Neapolitan traditions, they decided to have a one-day block party for their patron saint and protector of Naples, San Gennaro, which continued each year. It has since grown and become a popular New York event that is known throughout the world.
What You Need to Know About Attending the San Gennaro Festival in NYC
Where is the festival located?
The San Gennaro Festival in NYC is located in Little Italy, Manhattan, on Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Streets and on Hester Street between Baxter and Centre Streets and Grand Street between Baxter Street and Centre Market Place.
When is the festival?
The festival runs Thursday, Sept. 14-Sunday, Sept. 24, 11am-10pm daily.
For more information about the festival, visit sangennaronyc.org.
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