Have You Heard of San Gennaro Festival in NYC?
This 10-day event in Little Italy celebrates Italian culture through food, music and more—and it starts today.
This time of year, I’m usually getting ready to take my annual trip to New York for the San Gennaro Festival. This yearly fest—the official name is The Feast of San Gennaro—has taken place in Little Italy every year since 1926 when immigrants from Naples gathered to commemorate Saint Gennaro, the Bishop of Benevento, Italy. The feast is an important part of the neighborhood that honors not only the saint himself but the ancestors, culture, and traditions of the Italian people.
If you’re in or headed to NYC, San Gennaro Festival starts today, kicking off with a concert at 5pm ET. The festival runs through September 25.
What to Eat & Drink
This type of festival kind of feels like your typical county fair (but better?!). Hundreds of food vendors participate in addition to all the restaurants within 11 blocks. Pizza, pasta, cannolis and more are available at every turn. I usually favor Gelso & Grand located on a very popular corner at Gelso (which means Mulberry in Italian) and Grand Street. They are often sponsored by Aperol so you can find great specials like a slice of pizza and an Aperol Spritz combo or a pizza pie with a beer at a super affordable price.
If you prefer to sit and eat (vs. standing and eating like a true festival-goer), grab a spot at any of the restaurants with street seating so you’re still a part of the action. Don’t forget to stop at one of the $1 cannoli stands and order a few cannolis—or more, why not?
Things to Do/See
Aside from a lot of walking, I usually like to stop to do some shopping. There are several Mure & Grand stores in New York City but I always enjoy popping into their Little Italy outpost. They have affordable and cool trinkets, jewelry, clothing, and accessories you can grab for yourself or take back as souvenirs for family and friends. If you want to get away from the crowds for a bit you can head a couple of blocks west until you hit SoHo. Designer stores line these famous cobblestone streets, which are great for photos.
You can catch live music at the festival, too. With multiple stages for different bands, there’s bound to be a song for everyone. And there are plenty of carnival rides, if you’re into that sort of thing! You don’t have to be Italian to Celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro—I really enjoy how people of all races and nationalities come together to get a taste of Italian culture without leaving home. If you haven’t been yet, I encourage you to check it out—I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
