Discover Top Italian Festivals in NJ: 2025 Guide

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

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 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 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 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)

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.

Clark Unico's Annual Italian-American Feast
Thursday, 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.

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.

Feast of Saint Gerard Maiella
Sunday,October 19th & 20th, 2025
St. Lucy's Church
118 7th Avenue
Newark NJ
This event features great Italian food, live entertainment and a procession. During each of the three days of the festival the life-sized likeness of the saint is removed from the chapel and first brought by the side alter. Displayed at the side alter is a photo board that the many faithful of the parish create each year as a testament to the successful but difficult births attributed to the intercession of St. Gerard who is the patron saint of expectant mothers.

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.