Cannoli, zeppole, and sausage and peppers: the Feast of San Gennaro is a good reason to arrive in Little Italy hungry. Every September, the neighborhood hosts eleven days of Italian food, music, and traditions.
What to expect
The festival runs along Mulberry Street between Canal Street and Houston Street, as well as parts of Hester Street and Grand Street. You can wander between the stalls and pick up food as you go. Alongside pizza and pasta, there are cannoli filled with sweet ricotta and zeppole, little balls of fried dough. Or try an Italian sausage sandwich with peppers.
There’s a religious tradition behind the street festival. Immigrants from Naples began celebrating their patron saint, San Gennaro, here in 1926. What started as a one-day neighborhood celebration gradually became today’s festival, with Little Italy’s Italian heritage still at its heart.
The program also includes live music, games, contests, and processions carrying a statue of the saint through the streets. These take place at specific times rather than every day. In the evening, the lights and crowds add to the food stalls, and the narrow streets get especially lively.
Good to know
- Entry to the street festival is free. Food and drinks cost extra.
- Check the daily program if you want to catch a particular procession, contest, or performance. If you’re coming to eat and wander, you don’t need to plan around the stage schedule.
- Allow a little extra time in the evening, when the space between the stalls can get crowded.
