Discover Top Italian Festivals in NJ: 2025 Guide

Guide to New Jersey Italian Festivals


Experience the Vibrancy of Italian Culture at New Jersey’s Italian Festivals

New Jersey’s Italian festivals are joyful celebrations of tradition, family, and community. These events bring people together to experience the rich heritage of Italy through delectable cuisine, lively music, fun-filled games, and engaging activities for all ages.

Typically held over summer weekends, these festivals—known as feasts—are deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions. They are often organized by Catholic churches or Italian cultural organizations dedicated to preserving and sharing Italy’s timeless customs, stories, and values with future generations.

These festivals offer a unique opportunity to taste authentic recipes passed down through generations, witness cultural traditions firsthand, and create lasting memories with family and friends in a welcoming, festive atmosphere.

Whether you come for the mouth-watering Italian food, the festive atmosphere, or the sense of community, New Jersey’s Italian festivals offer something for everyone.

The 2025 season of italian festivals in nj is shaping up to be the most exciting yet. Imagine warm summer evenings filled with the aroma of garlic and oregano, the sizzle of sausage and peppers on the grill, and the joyful melodies of live Italian music.

These beloved events are more than just festivals; they are vibrant, multi-generational gatherings that celebrate the heart and soul of Italian culture.
Join us in celebrating this vibrant culture!

Italian Food at New Jersey Festivals

No italian festival experience is complete without indulging in the food. Come hungry and ready to sample a delicious array of classic dishes. Here are some must-try items you'll find at nearly all NJ Italian Feasts:

  • Zeppole: These light, deep-fried dough balls are the quintessential festival treat, generously dusted with powdered sugar. Pro Tip: Always get them fresh and hot from the fryer for the best experience.
  • Sausage & Peppers: A savory staple, this dish features grilled sweet or hot Italian sausage with sauteed bell peppers and onions, piled high on a fresh Italian roll. Pro Tip: Don't be shy about asking for extra peppers and onions!
  • Arancini: These are golden-fried risotto balls with a crispy exterior and a warm, cheesy center, often filled with ragù, mozzarella, or peas. A perfect handheld snack.
  • Cannoli: A crunchy, tube-shaped pastry shell filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta cheese mixture. Pro Tip: Look for vendors that fill the shells to order. This ensures the pastry stays crisp and doesn't get soggy.
  • Pasta Specialties: From baked ziti and lasagna to ravioli, you'll find a variety of hearty pasta dishes that taste like they came straight from Nonna's kitchen.
  • Italian Ices: The perfect way to cool down on a warm day. This smooth, water-based frozen dessert comes in classic flavors like lemon, cherry, and rainbow.
  • Tiramisu: A classic Italian dessert made with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with cocoa.
  • Regional Wines: Many festivals feature wine gardens where you can sample a variety of Italian wines, from crisp Pinot Grigio to robust Chianti, perfectly complementing your food choices.

    Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.

     2025 Italian Festivals and Events

    La Festa Italiana, Jersey City, NJ

     La Festa Itialiana
    Wednesday, August 13 thru Sunday, August 17, 2025
    344 Sixth Street
    Jersey City, NJ
    La Festa Italiana celebrates Italian heritage, spirituality and is an evening of music, dance and authentic Italian foods. It's fun filled with games, an hourly 50/50, and terminates with the Super 50/50 raffle drawing. The festival will honor the Veneration of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Rocco.
    Each night Live Bands perform on the Main stage.

    IATO Ocean Twp Italian Festival

    The Italian American Association of Ocean
    Township Annual Italian Festival

    August 6th - 10th, 2025
    Joe Palaia Park
    corner of Deal and Whalepond Road
    Oakhurst, NJ
    Free admission
    This four day Italian Festival annually attracts over 80,000 people with a taste for our traditional foods and wholesome family fun. Celebrating Italian heritage and culture!
    There's something for everyone! From sampling the great taste of Italy's delicious food, rides, games, music, Galbani Live Cooking Seminar, fireworks on Friday night.

    La Festa Italiana, NJ

    La Festa Itialiana
    Wednesday, August 13 thru Sunday, August 17, 2025
    344 Sixth Street
    Jersey City, NJ
    La Festa Italiana celebrates Italian heritage, spirituality and is an evening of music, dance and authentic Italian foods. It's fun filled with games, an hourly 50/50, and terminates with the Super 50/50 raffle drawing. The festival will honor the Veneration of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Rocco.
    Each night Live Bands perform on the Mainstage.

    Ferragosto NJ Italian festival

    Ferragosto
    Sunday, August 17th, 2025; 1pm-6pm
    Sanford Park
    West Dey and Main Street
    Englishtown, NJ
    Admission and parking are free
    Ferragosto is more than a summer holiday—it's a celebration of our heritage, family, and the joy of slowing down together. Rooted in ancient Roman tradition and embraced by generations of Italians, it's a time to gather, feast, and honor the richness of our culture. There will be entertainment, DJ, craft and food vendors. Face painting, crafts, and inflatable rides for the children, including a trackless train.

    St Bartholomew Unico Festival

    Annual St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival
    Friday to Monday, August 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2025
    St. Bartholomew Church
    2032 Westfield Ave
    Scotch Plains, NJ
    The feast is truly a great family event and has something for everyone to enjoy. There is nightly live music, rides, games, and great food, including favorites like pizza, pasta, zeppoles, clams, mussels, and calzones. In addition, there are nightly 50/50 drawings and a super 50/50 raffle on Monday.

    Feast of St. Joseph Lodi

    The Feast of Saint Joseph of Lodi 
    Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1, 2025
    Saint Joseph Church
    40 Spring Street
    Lodi, NJ
    This family event features traditional Italian festival food, exciting nightly entertainment, thrill rides, and games of chance. The highlight of the Feast is on Labor Day at 2PM where there is a solemn mass followed by a procession honoring Saint Joseph.

    Hoboken Italian Festival

    Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri - The Hoboken Italian Festival 
    September 4, 5, 6, 7, 2025
    Sinatra Drive between 1st Street to 3rd Street
    Hoboken, NJ
    The Hoboken Italian Festival, the premier Italian-American festival in New Jersey is over 80 years old, and is derived from a festival in Italy that is over 600 years old. The Festival is a four day celebration of music food and fun from Thursday through Sunday. On Saturday they celebrate their "Feast" day, when the 800lb statue of Madonna Dei Martiri or Madonna of the Martyrs is carried through the streets of Hoboken.This includes a reenactment of the Blessing of the Fleet in the Hudson River, and culminating with a fireworks show over Sinatra Park.

    St Anthony's Festival, Glassboro, NJ

    St. Anthony's Italian Heritage Festival
    September 13, 2025; 2 - 10 pm
    Glassboro Town Square
    Rowan Blvd
    Downtown Glassboro, NJ
    This festival features carnival games, live entertainment, cultural exhibits, a homemade wine competition, cannoli eating contest, beer garden, food trucks, and of course, amazing Italian food.

    Belmar Feast San Gennaro

    Belmar Feast of San Gennaro
    Saturday, September 13th, 2025; 11:00AM - 6:00PM
    Pyanoe Plaza and the Belmar Plaza parking lot.
    Belmar, NJ
    The days festivities kick off with a Mass celebrated in Italian at St. Rose Church in Belmar. Followed by the traditional procession of the Statue of San Gennaro to its place of honor on Main Street.
    The family friendly festival will feature authentic Italian foods, live entertainment, dancing and a pasta and cannoli eating contest.
    There will be awesome Italian food with live music, dancing, kid activities and vendor shopping along the festival route.

    NJ Feast St Gennaro

    NJ Feast of San Gennaro
    September 14, 2025: from 12pm-7pm
    Fireman's Field
    Mine Hill, NJ
    Celebrate the best that Italian culture has to offer with food vendors, music, photo ops, an official procession with the church, and more!

    Spring Lake, NJ Italian Festival

    Spring Lake Italian Festival
    Saturday, September 20, 2025 (12pm-6pm)
    Morris Avenue
    Spring Lake, NJ
    This event features live music, Italian food, kids activities, and a spaghetti eating Contest, a crowd favorite. Not new, but always a draw, is the festival Art Walk that will take place along Third Avenue.

    Olde Time Italian Festival, Wildwood, NJ

    Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival
    September 26, 27, 2025
    Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues
    Wildwood, NJ
    Admission Free
    This popular annual fest features an 'Olde World' family festival including a Procession of the Saints, delicious Italian food favorites, merchandise vendors, games, and continuous FREE live entertainment.

    Knights of Columbus Italian Festival, Smithville, NJ

     Knights of Columbus Villa Marie Council # 6342 Italian Festival
    Saturday, September 27, 2025: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM(Rain date Sept 28)
    Historic Smithville
    Village Greene
    Smithville, NJ
    Come and enjoy a taste of Italy. The event features delicious Italian Food and Deserts, Wine Tasting and Beer, Italian music, Folk dancing, Children's activities, Free Bocce Ball (must register in advance), a vendor market with Hand crafted items and imported Italian specialties, and a super 50/50. Free Bocce Ball (must register in advance)

    Clark Unico Italian Festival, NJ

    Clark Unico's Annual Italian-American Feast
    Thurday, October 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 2025
    Clark Recreation
    430 Westfield Ave
    Clark, NJ
    This annual event features a great selection of food, beer, wine, live bands, and entertainment each night, novelty vendors, games, rides, raffles, and much more.

    Mercer county, NJ Italian Festival

    Mercer County Italian American Festival
    October 4, 5, 2025
    Mercer County Park
    1638 Old Trenton Rd
    West Windsor Township, NJ
    There will be carnival rides for all ages, vendors, live music, plenty of food and drinks, and, of course, lots of Italian culture and heritage.

    Ocean County, NJ Italian Festival

    Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
    Friday, October 10th until Sunday, October 12th, 2025
    On Grant Ave
    Seaside Heights, N.J
    Celebrating the Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian
    Heritage Festival. A fun filled weekend of food, friends, and Italian Culture.
    The Parade will be held on Sunday at 1 pm, on the Boulevard from J Street to Sampson Avenue.

    New Jersey Italian Festivals
    Frequently Asked Questions

    Question
    Where are the most popular Italian festivals in New Jersey?

    Answer

    Some notable locations include:

    • St. Ann's Italian Festival (Hoboken)
    • Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri ( Hoboken)
    • The Feast of our Lady of Mt Carmel (Berkeley Heights)
    • The Italian American Association of Ocean Township Festival (Oakhurst)
    • The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Hammonton)

    Question
    What types of food are served at Italian festivals?

    Answer

    Expect a wide variety of Italian dishes, including:

    • Traditional pasta dishes (lasagna, spaghetti, penne)
    • Italian street food (zeppole, arancini, sausage and peppers)
    • Desserts (cannoli, tiramisu, Italian ice)
    • Beverages (espresso, Italian wines, limoncello)

    Question

    Are these festivals family-friendly?

    Answer

    Yes, most Italian festivals in New Jersey are family-friendly, featuring activities like carnival games, rides, face painting, and kid-friendly entertainment.

    Question

    Do these festivals charge admission?

    Answer

    Many Italian festivals are free to attend, though some larger events may charge an admission fee or request a donation. Food, drinks, and activities are typically paid separately.

    Question

    Is there live music or entertainment?

    Answer
    Yes, live music is a highlight of Italian festivals. Expect performances of classic Italian songs, contemporary music, and sometimes opera or folk dances

    Question

    Are there any religious components to these festivals?

    Answer

    Many Italian festivals have religious roots and include traditional elements such as Mass, processions, or blessings. For example, some feasts honor specific saints with processions and ceremonies.

    Upcoming New Jersey Italian Themed Events