The Best Italian Festivals and Events in New Jersey:
2023 Edition
Your Guide To The Best Italian Festivals and Events in New Jersey. They Feature Italian Festivals With an Emphasis on Promoting Italian Culture and Family Unity.
Italian Festivals typically run for three to four days around a summer weekend and in addition to promoting the Italian culture and family unity, they raise money to support many worthwhile charitable causes.
Italian festivals or feasts are usually organized by either a Catholic church with a large Catholic following or an Italian community service organization with an interest in promoting their culture and providing knowledge and stories for future generations to benefit from.
Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event
Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.
September 2023
Italian Festivals and Events
Annual St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival
Friday, September 1 to to Monday, September 4, 2023 (Friday, Saturday Sunday 4:30pm to 10:30pm; Monday 3:30pm to 9:30pm)
St. Bartholomew Church
2032 Westfield Ave
Scotch Plains, NJ
908-322-5192
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.
Friday, September 1 to to Monday, September 4, 2023 (Friday, Saturday Sunday 4:30pm to 10:30pm; Monday 3:30pm to 9:30pm)
St. Bartholomew Church
2032 Westfield Ave
Scotch Plains, NJ
908-322-5192
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.
The Feast of Saint Joseph of Lodi
September 1, 2, 3, 4, 2023; Friday 6-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 4-11pm, Monday 2-10pm
Saint Joseph Church
40 Spring Street
Lodi, NJ
Website
[email protected]
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.
September 1, 2, 3, 4, 2023; Friday 6-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 4-11pm, Monday 2-10pm
Saint Joseph Church
40 Spring Street
Lodi, NJ
Website
[email protected]
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.
Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri - The Hoboken Italian Festival
September 7th – 10th, 2023
Sinatra Park, on the historic waterfront of Hoboken, NJ
Website
(201) 216-0252
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 festival of music food and fun from Thursday through Sunday. No day is greater however than Saturday, 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, culminating with a fireworks show over Sinatra Park. The Madonna is sailed around the Hudson before it returns to the church.
September 7th – 10th, 2023
Sinatra Park, on the historic waterfront of Hoboken, NJ
Website
(201) 216-0252
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 festival of music food and fun from Thursday through Sunday. No day is greater however than Saturday, 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, culminating with a fireworks show over Sinatra Park. The Madonna is sailed around the Hudson before it returns to the church.
St. Anthony's Italian Heritage Festival
September 9, 2023; 2 - 10 pm
Glassboro Town Square
Rowan Blvd
Downtown Glassboro, NJ
Website
(856) 881-0500
[email protected]
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.
September 9, 2023; 2 - 10 pm
Glassboro Town Square
Rowan Blvd
Downtown Glassboro, NJ
Website
(856) 881-0500
[email protected]
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 & Sunday, September 16th & 17th, 2023; 11:00AM - 6:00PM DAILY
Main St, between 10th & 12th Ave,
Website
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.
Saturday & Sunday, September 16th & 17th, 2023; 11:00AM - 6:00PM DAILY
Main St, between 10th & 12th Ave,
Website
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.
Knights of Columbus Villa Marie Council # 6342 Italian Festival
September 23, 2023, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Rain date Sept 24th)
Historic Smithville
Village Greene
Smithville, NJ
Website
Come and enjoy a taste of Italy. The event features delicious Italian Food and Deserts, Wine Tasting and Beer, Italian music (Live Entertainment By Jim Craine and his Atlantic City All-Stars Band), 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). Open to the public. Admission and parking are free.
September 23, 2023, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Rain date Sept 24th)
Historic Smithville
Village Greene
Smithville, NJ
Website
Come and enjoy a taste of Italy. The event features delicious Italian Food and Deserts, Wine Tasting and Beer, Italian music (Live Entertainment By Jim Craine and his Atlantic City All-Stars Band), 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). Open to the public. Admission and parking are free.
Spring Lake Italian Festival
Saturday, September 23, 2023 (12pm-5pm)
Morris Avenue
Spring Lake, NJ
Website
They will be closing Morris Avenue from Third to Fourth to turn the space into an Italian village. Italian food provided by member restaurants with a wine and beer garden to privide the al fresco food court for visitors to enjoy.
There will be Live Music, Face Painting and Balloon Twisting and of course the Petting Zoo. The Spaghetti Eating Contest, a crowd favorite, will be back as well. Spring Lake School of Dance will be performing Italian folk dances – a tremendous draw for families and friends. Not new, but always a draw, is the festival Art Walk that will take place along Third Avenue. There will be music on Third too!
Saturday, September 23, 2023 (12pm-5pm)
Morris Avenue
Spring Lake, NJ
Website
They will be closing Morris Avenue from Third to Fourth to turn the space into an Italian village. Italian food provided by member restaurants with a wine and beer garden to privide the al fresco food court for visitors to enjoy.
There will be Live Music, Face Painting and Balloon Twisting and of course the Petting Zoo. The Spaghetti Eating Contest, a crowd favorite, will be back as well. Spring Lake School of Dance will be performing Italian folk dances – a tremendous draw for families and friends. Not new, but always a draw, is the festival Art Walk that will take place along Third Avenue. There will be music on Third too!
Wildwood
Olde Time Italian Festival
September 29, 30, 2023; (rain dates Oct 16, 17)
Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues
Wildwood, NJ
215-519-3548
Website
Admiasion 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.
September 29, 30, 2023; (rain dates Oct 16, 17)
Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues
Wildwood, NJ
215-519-3548
Website
Admiasion 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.
October 2023
Italian Festivals and Events
Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 6th,7th, 8th, 2023
On Grant Ave
Seaside Heights, N.J
Website
732-477-6507
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.
October 6th,7th, 8th, 2023
On Grant Ave
Seaside Heights, N.J
Website
732-477-6507
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.
Italian American Festival & Car Show
Saturday, October 14th, 2023 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cooper River Park
5300 North Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ
Website
This event features Italian Cars, Italian Food, Local Wine Tasting and Craft Beer Garden, Musical Acts and Entertainment, and Activities for Kids For more information and Car Registration, visit sonsofitalynj.org
Saturday, October 14th, 2023 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cooper River Park
5300 North Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ
Website
This event features Italian Cars, Italian Food, Local Wine Tasting and Craft Beer Garden, Musical Acts and Entertainment, and Activities for Kids For more information and Car Registration, visit sonsofitalynj.org
Feast of Saint Gerard Maiella
October 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023
St. Lucy's Church
118 7th Avenue
Newark NJ
Website
973-803-4200
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.
October 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023
St. Lucy's Church
118 7th Avenue
Newark NJ
Website
973-803-4200
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.
