California Italian Festivals

There are thousands of Italian restaurants serving up pastas and pleasure. Chased down with a fine Italian wine, what could be better? How about an Italian festa celebrating Italy's culture with dancing, Italian songs, and of course–the FOOD!

Here are few California Italian Festivals

LOS ANGELES: Italian Festival October 22, 2017, 12-10 p.m.  Los Angeles Italian Festival features Italian food, music, comedy, beer, wine, bocce ball and entertainment all day long! There will be a Kid's Corner with face painting, balloon animals and lots of fun activities as well as a wonderful shopping section with clothing, gifts, jewelry, collectibles and music CDs! This year's Honorary Chairman Of The Board: Joe Mantegna and Master Of Ceremonies: Mark DeCarlo!!! Located at the corner of Victory Blvd and Vineland Ave at the edge of the NoHo Arts District, free. For information call (818) 945-3378 or email info@laitalianfestival.com.

SUTTER CREEK: Italian Picnic and Parade June 3-4, 2017
Sunday June 4th 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Italian Benevolent Society is the oldest independent Italian Club in the United States. Established in 1881 as charitable institution for aid the Families of the Italian Miners, that worked the in the Amador County gold mining community. Italian Benevolent Society hosts the Annual Italian Picnic & Parade Friday: Carnival | Wine & Olive Oil Tasting | 10 Wineries | Beer | Live Music | Dancing- | Bingo | Bocce 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday: Carnival | Chicken & Ravioli Dinner | Live Music | Dancing | Bocce | Go-Cart exhibit Noon to Midnight Sunday: Grand Parade in Sutter Creek 10:30am Carnival | Barbeque | Live Music | Bocce | Spaghetti Eating Contest 11:30am to 5:00pm FREE Admission & FREE Parking all three days! Saturday Dinner tickets go on sale in April online or through American River Bank: (209)223-2320. Italian Picnic Grounds, 581 State Highway 49, Sutter Hill, CA. (209) 267-0206. ItalianBenevolentSociety.com

SAN DIEGO: Taste of Little Italy June 14, 2017, 5-9 p.m. littleitalysd.com

SAN FRANCISCO: 82nd Annual Festa della Madonna del Lume September 30, 2017, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Memorial Mass at the Chapel followed by the fishing boat procession from Pier 43 1/2 and the memorial wreath ceremony just beyond the Golden Gate to honor those who have perished or been lost at sea. This event is Day 1 of the 82nd Annual Festa honoring la Madonna del Lume in San Francisco. facebook.com/pg/MadonnadelLumeSF

SAN FRANCISCO: High Mass, Spuntino, Procession to Fisherman's Wharf and the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet Ceremony October 1, 2017
Fisherman's and Seaman's Memorial Chapel
facebook.com/pg/MadonnadelLumeSF

SAN FRANCISCO An Evening in Sicily Gala October 1, 2017  facebook.com/MadonnadelLumeSF
Annual Festa della Madonna del Lume  October   10 a.m.
Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church, SF North Beach AND Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel, SF Fisherman's Wharf Gather at the Fisherman's and Seaman's Memorial Chapel at Fisherman's Wharf to honor those lost and/or perished at Sea. Mass is followed by Memorial on the water. Sunday Oct. 2, 2016 - Festa begins with High Mass at SS Peter and Paul Church in North Beach, followed by a Procession to Fisherman's Wharf and More, TBD.

SAN FRANCISCO Italian Heritage Columbus Day Parade October 8, 2017
Parade begins at 12:30 p.m. at Jefferson & Powell in Fisherman's Wharf, proceeding south through North Beach on Columbus Avenue and ends in Washington Square in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church.
Italian Consulate Reception
Grand Ball October 7, 2017, 5:30 p.m.  at St. Regis Hotels, $185
 sfcolumbusday.org

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Festa Coloniale Italiana August 19, 2017 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
San Francisco Italian Athletic Club
1630 Stockton St.
San Francisco, CA
(415) 781 0166, sfiacfesta.com

SACRAMENTO Festa Italiana August 5-6, 2017
italiancenter.net
FESTA ITALIANA Voted Northern California's Best Italian Festival! Saturda 11am to 10 pm and Sunday  11am to 7 PM  
3730 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento, CA (just one block east of Watt Ave)
Italian food and drink and stellar entertainers in indoor air-conditioned and an open outdoor Italian Marketplace, a Children's games and rides area, bocce ball, Italian cars, motorcycles and much more entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. There are plenty of tables and chairs in this private, shady park-like setting.  Festa Italiana Scholarship is open to all young women of Italian descent ages 16 to 22 who are currently enrolled or plan to enroll in higher education. For information or an application contact Phyllis Gargas, Festa Queen Scholarship Coordinator at pjgargas@gmail.com

MONTEREY: Santa Rosalia Fisherman's Festival September 8-10, 2017
Free admission, festaitaliamonterey.org
Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey. Festival entertainment, raffles, bocce tournament, parade, Italian food, beer, wine. Hours: Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, 3-10 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. |  Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, 10 a.m.- Saturday Schedule Mass: 10:30am–San Carlos Church Parade: 12:00pm–Starting at 500 Church Street, proceeding through Downtown Monterey, ending at Custom House Plaza Opening Ceremony Blessing of Fleet after parade Re-dedication of Santa Rosalia statue. Share the heritage, culture and the romance of Italy that our local Italian community was built on! Enjoy a feast of sight, sound and wonderful tastes, filled with entertainment.

SAN JOSE Italian-American Family Festa August 26-27, 2017
iahfsj.org | italianfamilyfestasj.org

GRASS VALLEY  Western Gateway Park, Penn Valley, CA nevadacountyitalianfestival.com

LAGUNA NIGUEL La Dolce Vita Italian Festival TBA (probably not having this event anymore)

LOS ANGELES Feast of San Gennaro Check back in August 2017  feastofla.org facebook.com/Feastofla

RANCHO MIRAGE Coachella Valley Italian Festival 
desertarc.org

REDDING: Paesano Days September 22-23, 2017 reddingsonsofitaly.com

SANTA ROSA North Bay Italian Cultura Foundation TBA
nbicf.org Italian music, food, mercato, bocce, classic Italian autos.

Hey, mambo by Rosemary Clooney

A girl went back to Napoli
Because she missed the scenery
The native dances and the charming songs
But wait a minute, something's wrong
Hey, mambo! Mambo italiano!
Hey, mambo! Mambo italiano
Go, go, go you mixed up sicialiano
All you calabraise-a do the mambo like a crazy with a
Hey mambo, don't wanna tarantella
Hey mambo, no more a mozzarella
Hey mambo! Mambo italiano!

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.