Thanks again, everyone, for a fabulous show! We hope to see you again next year on September 27 & 28, 2025.
2024 Italian Festival!
Welcome to Seattle’s 37th Annual Festa Italiana! Festa Italiana is an all-volunteer community organization that produces an annual series of events the last week of September, culminating in a FREE Italian Festival. Since 1988, we have been celebrating the cultural roots of Italians and Italian-Americans in the Pacific Northwest by promoting the arts, the food and the culture that are uniquely Italian.
This year, the Italian Festival will again be back at Seattle Center and we plan to be bigger than ever. So again, thanks to our sponsors, vendors, chefs and entertainers, and to our volunteers, and YOU, our beloved patrons and supporters!
Where and When
Seattle Center
305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA 98109
Directions and transportation options can be found on our Locations page.
Saturday September 28, 2024 from 10AM to 7PM
Sunday September 29, 2024 from 10AM to 6PM
NOTE: The Italian Car Show will be Saturday only, and the Italian Dog Show will be Sunday only.
Coming back by Popular Demand
Anthony “Nino” Lane Band
Our Headliner this year will see the return of a rockin’ 6-piece from Salinas, CA called the Anthony “Nino” Lane Band, covering all your Italian favorites through the decades with an emphasis on danceability! Their lineup features two native Italian singers, two Latino & Latina vocalists, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, saxophone and violin! They will be doing three shows for us over the weekend so watch for those, especially on Saturday evening, the night of the “All-Star Italian Jam.”
The Return of the RigaTones!
For the past 20 years, the Beer & Wine Garden at Festa was rockin’ each day at 4 PM to the sounds of “The RigaTones,” the dynamic duo of Lenny Luzzi and Tom Falcone leading raucous Italian sing-a-longs. Last year, things were more subdued because Tom had retired from playing, and Lenny had moved to Nashville to further his music career. Well, hold onto your wine bottles, because this year, we are thrilled to announce “The RigaTones are back!!!” Lenny has reformed the duo with Clayton Patterson, his former guitarist with the Primo Basso Band, and they’ve been doing shows in Nashville so they’re ready to return and tear the place apart! As always, no admission charge but you must be 21/over and show ID.
La Cucina Galbani® Cooking Stage
Over the years we have had Live Cooking Demos from chefs representing such local restaurants as: Café Juanita, Tulio, il Fornaio, Il Terrazzo Carmine, Café Bengodi, Serefina, Assaggio, etc. Some of their recipes can be found in our online Recipe Collection. At the same time, we have featured such national culinary luminaries as Mario Batali, Giuliano Bugali, Anne Burrell, Biba Caggiano, Michael Chiarello, Rocco DiSpirito, Mary Ann Esposito, Christina Pirello, Rosella Rago and Nick Stellino. During 2020 we solicited “virtual” cooking demos, from local chefs and celebrities alike, for you to enjoy at home as you cook along! Just visit the Great Italian Chef Page to see demos from local chefs such as Brad Inserra and Frank Isernio to national stars like Rossella Rago.
This year we’ve lined up some great chefs for you to watch in person on the rooftop terrace of Fisher Pavilion. A chef will take the stage every hour throughout the weekend from 11:00am – 5:00pm.
Rossella Rago
Tutta Bella Grape Stomp
Jump in with both feet and make wine as they used to in the Old Country. Put together a three-person team and compete for great prizes with a free T-shirt given to each competitor. Just don’t sit in the front row!
Oberto Bocce Tournament
Moving back to the main floor of the Armory, this Italian version of lawn bowling is one of our most popular events. Featuring a Masters division for professionals and a Recreational division for occasional players, the bocce tournament is fascinating to watch.
Tino’s Cortile
Featuring many of our traditional children’s activities plus the “All Breeds” Italian Dog Show (Sunday only). And it’s all free.
From left, Bosco the Lagotto Romagnolo and his pals Romeo the Italian Greyhound, and Cece the Cirneco dell’ Etna all can’t wait to see you!
(Photo by Sarah Evans).
Exhibits
An Italian Car and Vehicle Show (Saturday only), Art Show, and the Historic Photo Exhibit about Seattle’s earliest Italians, plus booths of Italian organizations, arts and crafts, imported housewares, and lots of merchandise and souvenirs.
Food & Wine
Pizza, Pasta, Italian Sausage, Salami, Meatballs, Focaccia, Gelato, Birra, Vino, Prosecco, Limoncello, Cannoli, Espresso, Italian Sodas, and three Wine & Beer Gardens!
Downloadable 2024 Festa Poster
To help get into the spirit of Festa, feel free to download and print out a PDF of this year’s poster!
Le Arti della Festa Italiana
Le Arti della Festa Italiana will be displaying creative work inspired by Italy. Take a look at our Art & Photography page.
The Virtual Italian Festival of 2020
For 2020, due to restrictions placed on large public events, we went 100% virtual! Please take a look at the videos below. We hope to see you in person at this year’s live event.
PART 1
List of Artists in Order of Appearance
Fortissimo!, Danny Quintero, Julie Cascioppo, Tony La Stella, Seattle Mandolin Orchestra, The Primo Basso Band, Rob Porcaro, Mary Marchese – That’s Amore, La Mezzanotte Trio (Slideshow), Dennis from Dennis & the Jets, La MezzaNotte Trio, The Rigatones, Tony La Stella & The Goombas.
Special thanks to Seattle Center and our amazing sponsors!
PART 2
List of Artists in Order of Appearance
The Rigatones, Danny Quintero, Mary Marchese, Fortissimo! The Tarantellas, Rob Porcaro, The Primo Basso Band, La Mezzanotte Trio (Slideshow), Mbrascatu, Tony La Stella & The Goombas, Fortissimo!, Julie Cascioppo, The Primo Basso Band, Fortissimo!
Special thanks to Seattle Center and our amazing sponsors!
Get Involved
Festa Italiana is a community driven event, so if you’re interested in getting involved we have several ways in which you could help:
