The 89th Festa Italia, celebrating Monterey’s Italian heritage and cultural traditions, will be held on September 9-11, 2022. Join us for this special festival honoring the local fishermen of Monterey, both past and present.
This popular family-friendly free event shares the sights, sounds, food, and culture that make the Italian experience so special. It is a celebrated festival each year drawing locals and visitors from the Bay Area and beyond. It features three days of authentic Italian cuisine, great music, dancing, fun, and friendship. The delicious flavors of Italy are enjoyed by attendees with tasty food offerings (for purchase) including Calamari, Steak and Sausage Sandwiches, Pasta, Arancini, Cannoli, Cookies and more, as well as wine, beer, sodas and water. There is also an array of Italian and Festa Italia-themed merchandise as well as vendors selling crafts and more. There will also be a table of information from three local historic organizations, including the International Catholic Federation, Italian Heritage Society of the Monterey Peninsula, and Friends of Isola delle Femmine.
The first Festa Italia in Monterey was celebrated in 1933 when a statue of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Sicilian fishermen, was donated to the San Carlos Cathedral. Sicilian fishermen would pray to their patron saint for a safe journey and bountiful harvest. It is important that we remember our cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations. Festa Italia celebrates these traditions and keeps our stories, old and new, alive to ensure that our heritage is never lost. Everyone is welcome to join in at this fun, festive event!
