The ever-popular Festa Italiana returns to Manchester city centre for its seventh edition, once again taking place at Cathedral Gardens on the August Bank Holiday weekend. A passion project of Salvi’s owner, businessman and podcaster Maurizio Cecco, the free-to-enter festival will gather the city’s Italian community together, with a festival programme including a vibrant market, music line-up, demos, a stunning parade, and of course, some incredible Italian food.
On the weekend of the 23 – 25 August they’ll take over Cathedral Gardens in the city centre, transforming it into a beautiful Festival Piazza. The festival programme will be a combination of old favourites and new additions, as they celebrate flavours and customs of Italy in a way that’s typically Salvi’s.
You can expect to encounter an Italian flag waving opening ceremony, cooking masterclasses from Italian chefs, a piccolo mercato selling local produce, and loads more food, drink and entertainment. There’s even a cooking experience by Viva La Cucina, where it’s less about following recipes to the letter, and more about having a blast while you do it.
There’ll be food on offer from authentic Italian producers like Café Cannoli, Crosta & Mollica, Conni’s Focacceria, Grandpa Greenes, Il Forno, Proove Pizza, Rizzo’s Sicilian Street Food, The Pasta Factory and The Pick Me Up Truck. Drinks will be provided by Peroni, Poretti and others, as well as a dedicated Spritz Bar. Carmela Sereno Hayes and Francesco Mattana will be heading up a start-studded bill of Italian chefs leading you through the cooking activities.
Founder Maurizio says: “You know we don’t stop moving, don’t you?! This is Manchester and we like to keep things fresh. We’ve ripped up the rule book this year and we’re bringing you all kinds of new experiences as part of the massive Festa Italiana programme.”
“Naples is where I am from but Manchester is my home and it is my mission to keep evolving and surprising my people here with beautiful secrets and hidden gems from Italy. The Festa is going from strength to strength and we want it to feel like a little holiday right on your doorstep, so come along and let us help you take a break from the real world.”
We’ll see you down at the Piazza for a weekend of bold flavours and sounds.
