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Syracuse's Festa Italiana returns for 27th year of food, music, bocce and culture

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 10:00 GMT by syracuse.com
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Syracuse’s Festa Italiana Celebrates 27 Years of Food, Music, Bocce, and Culture

After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, Syracuse’s beloved Festa Italiana is back in full swing for its 27th year, promising to deliver another weekend of hearty Italian fare, lively music, and community‑spanning cultural events. The festival will run from Saturday, September 20 through Sunday, September 21 at the downtown Syracuse Commons, drawing thousands of locals and visitors who have come to celebrate the city’s vibrant Italian heritage.

A Feast for the Senses

The centerpiece of the festival remains its food stalls, which line the park’s expansive walkways. Vendors will showcase regional specialties—from wood‑fired pizzas and handmade pasta to freshly made cannoli and creamy gelato. The festival’s official partner, “Pasta House,” will offer a tasting of its signature orecchiette with sausage and rosemary, while the local gelateria “Gelato di Gianni” promises a lineup of classic flavors and experimental seasonal drops.

In addition to traditional dishes, the event will feature a “Farm to Table” corner, where Syracuse’s own farmers will showcase locally sourced produce used in classic Italian cooking. The culinary spread is complemented by a beverage corner offering Italian wines, craft beers, and non‑alcoholic “spritz” mocktails.

Bocce and Beyond

The festival’s historic bocce courts—set up on a clear, flat section of the Commons—will host a city‑wide tournament open to all skill levels. A special “Senior‑Only” division will see elders from the Italian community showcase their decades‑long prowess. Participants will be drawn into a lively competition, with prizes ranging from artisanal Italian cookware to a weekend stay at the nearby “Fior di Latte” retreat center. According to the festival’s organizers, the bocce tournament has grown in popularity since the first edition in 1998, now attracting over 200 players each year.

Live Music and Dance

Saturday’s evening will kick off with a full‑blown “Canzone” concert featuring local Italian pop singer Lidia Rossi, known for her “canzoni d’autore” style. A week earlier, the festival announced that the renowned “Syracuse Orchestra” will play a set of Italian classical pieces in a collaborative concert with the local “Syracuse Choir.” The final act of the weekend will be a fireworks display over the park’s fountain, set to the soundtrack of classic Italian movie music.

For those who love to dance, a “Tarantella” workshop will be offered on Saturday afternoon. The workshop, led by local dance instructor Marco DeLuca, will give visitors a chance to learn the steps of the traditional Sicilian folk dance and finish the evening by joining a spontaneous dance floor in the park’s central plaza.

Cultural Exhibits and History

A central feature of this year’s event is a “Syracuse Italian Heritage Museum” exhibit, hosted by the Syracuse Italian American Historical Society. The exhibit showcases photographs, clothing, and documents from the early 1900s, highlighting the waves of Italian immigrants who shaped Syracuse’s neighborhoods. An interactive “Italian Language Corner” will allow visitors to learn basic Italian phrases through a fun game-based format, with a volunteer “Italian tutor” on hand to answer questions.

The festival’s online “Digital Archive” will provide a virtual tour of the exhibit, offering a chance for those unable to attend in person to view the artifacts. According to the festival’s website (syracusefesta.it), the archive includes a timeline of the festival’s history, with a focus on its transformation from a small neighborhood gathering to the regional celebration it is today.

Ticketing and Logistics

Tickets for the festival are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 5‑12. Children under five enter for free. The official ticket page (syracusefesta.it/tickets) notes that the festival is open to the public without a ticket for “walking attendees” who wish to stroll through the park and sample street‑food stalls without participating in paid activities. The festival’s organizers have also announced that a “VIP Pass” will grant early access to the bocce tournament, a meet‑and‑greet with the performers, and a dedicated picnic area.

Because of the ongoing COVID‑19 guidelines, the festival will maintain a modest capacity of 5,000 people per day, with a mandatory mask policy for visitors under 12 and for any attendee who shows symptoms. A health and safety station will be located near the main entrance, staffed by local health officials to provide on‑site testing and guidance.

Community and Economic Impact

The festival’s impact extends beyond entertainment. In a statement released by the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, the 2025 festival will generate an estimated $2.3 million in economic activity, supporting more than 200 local businesses. “Festa Italiana isn’t just a celebration; it’s a vital contributor to Syracuse’s cultural economy,” said Chamber President Maria Rossi.

In addition to the economic boost, community members emphasize the festival’s role in fostering cross‑generational dialogue. “When my grandparents come out and play bocce, it’s a bridge to our heritage,” said festival director Anthony Russo. “It’s a reminder that our Italian roots are still a living part of Syracuse’s identity.”

What to Expect on the Day

• Saturday, September 20
  10 a.m. – Opening ceremony & Italian flag‑raising
  11 a.m. – Bocce tournament opens (all skill levels)
  12 p.m. – “Farm to Table” lunch showcase
  2 p.m. – Tarantella workshop (12 p.m.–3 p.m.)
  4 p.m. – Live DJ & street food market opens
  6 p.m. – Lidia Rossi concert
  8 p.m. – Fireworks finale

• Sunday, September 21
  10 a.m. – Bocce tournament – Final rounds
  12 p.m. – Pasta House’s “Pasta & Wine” tasting
  2 p.m. – “Syracuse Orchestra” & Choir concert
  4 p.m. – “Syracuse Italian Heritage Museum” exhibit
  6 p.m. – Closing ceremony & volunteer awards

Get Involved

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a first‑time attendee, the festival welcomes everyone to immerse themselves in Italy’s flavors, music, and spirit. Tickets are available now at the official website, and a free app will provide a live map of the event, real‑time updates, and a schedule of performers. For those who can’t make it to Syracuse, the festival’s livestream (syracusefesta.it/live) will broadcast the key moments, ensuring that the Festa Italiana’s heart reaches a broader audience.

As the 27th edition unfolds, Syracuse’s Festa Italiana continues to be a testament to community resilience, culinary excellence, and the timeless allure of Italian culture. Don’t miss the chance to taste, dance, and play your way through one of the region’s most beloved festivals.