The 23rd annual presentation of a community festival inaugurated in 1988 to celebrate the joy of "All Things Italian," Festa Italiana is a week-long series of events held in late September and culminating in a major Italian Festival at Seattle Center. Festa Italiana events focus on the cultural roots and the history of Italians in America-especially the Northwest-and celebrate the arts, the food and the spirit that is uniquely Italian.

For a complete schedule of Italian Festival Activities >>> Click Here

The complete calendar of Festa Italiana 2010 is as follows:

Saturday, September 11 - Mass in Italian at Mt. Virgin Church.
Traditional Catholic Mass at Seattle's original Italian Mission church. Celebrant will be the The Very Reverend Paul Magnano. Light refreshments served in the school hall following. 5:00 PM at Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Church, 2800 S. Massachusetts St. in Seattle, 98144.

Tuesday, September 21 - Festa Italiana Luncheon at the Olympic Hotel.
A gathering of Seattle's Italian-American business community to be held in the beautiful Garden Court of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle. Keynote Speaker this year will be George Randazzo, Chairman & Founder of the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame. There will be also a presentation of the Gill Centioli Memorial Award to an outstanding local Italian-American, as well as a presentation of the Patricia DeLaurenti Award to the Volunteer of the Year. Sponsored by the Italian Club of Seattle. Tickets including lunch are $55.00 per person. For more details and to make reservations, call (425) 646-6630, Or send a check for $55 per person to: Brian DiJulio, 10657 NE 2nd St. Bellevue, WA 98004.

Saturday & Sunday, September 25 & 26 - The Italian Festival.
The culmination of Festa Italiana and the largest ethnic festival at Seattle Center, the Italian Festival features food, music, art, dance and participatory activities for the entire family. There's "The Great Italian Chefs" cooking demonstrations, the Festa Grape Stomp, the DeLaurenti Bocce Tournament, children's activities, an historical photo collection, a contemporary exhibit of photos of Italy, an Italian Classic Vehicle Show, and three stages with Free Entertainment.

"Wow!" A free all-ages concert & dance at 7 PM on Saturday, September 25th starring Tony La Stella & the Goombas with special guests "The Goombettes."

Special Added Attraction - Seattle Opera presents a Live Preview of their Italian Operas in the 2011 season featuring live vocalists and a commentary by Sue Elliott . 4 PM, Saturday in the Seattle Center House.