Mark your calendars! La Festa Italiana, Jersey City’s biggest Italian festival returns in August with live bands, great food, and games & rides for the kids! La Festa Italiana begins Wed, Aug 5th, and runs through Sun, Aug 9th, from 5pm -11pm on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday; 2pm-11pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Located on 6th & Brunswick Streets, in the neighborhood surrounding Holy Roary Church, La Festa Italiana will dazzle festivalgoers with delicious dishes from popular bistros; frothy brews from neighborhood bars; and crowd-pleasing Jersey bands that play the hottest hits every night from 7-to-11 pm.
“People love this event,” La Festa Chairman & CEO Nick Grillo says. “They plan days off, vacations, even weddings around these five days. It’s wonderful to still see so much excitement around this century-old event in this ever-changing city.”
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT – starting at 7:00 p.m. nightly. This year’s entertainment is a Who’s Who of musical talent playing top hits from Bruno Mars to Bruce Springsteen and a new band performs every night. On Wed, Aug 5th, Toga Party Band returns to the stage. "We are beyond excited and truly honored to return to La Festa Italiana—one of the most vibrant and beloved festivals around! There’s nothing like the energy, the food, the people, and the pride of this incredible celebration. We can’t wait to bring the party back to Jersey City and be part of this amazing tradition once again!”
The rest of the lineup includes Thursday, Aug 6th: The Gallagher Band, Friday, Aug 7th The Counterfeiters, Saturday, Aug 8th, once again Promised Land will be here wowing the crowd with favorite Springsteen cover music : and closing out La Festa on Sunday, Aug 9th is the fabulous THE CAMEOS with classic oldies.
Every day & during band breaks, DJ Dante Saverio Amato will be on stage to keep the vibe alive. Dante Saverio Amato is a successful DJ, music producer, and vocalist. As heard on his debut album ‘Paradiso’ released 11/11/24. This rising star first discovered his passion for music while in college, soon became known for delivering blissful, energetic, and appropriate Feng shui in every moment played in Manhattan and along the east coast. Dantes style of progressive disco and tech-house draws from European influence, from his interloping travels, delivered with New York attitude. Distinguishing his sound from other DJ’s and music producers. This will be a huge addition to La Festa.
DELICIOUS FOODS. It wouldn’t be La Festa without an authentic sausage and peppers on a hard roll and DELLANO’S is back once again to bring festival goers those traditional Italian sandwiches. This year La Tradizione Homemade Pasta returns for the second year, owner Francesco Galante has this to say, “We’re thrilled to return to La Festa Italiana for our second year! Sharing authentic, homemade Italian pasta with the community is what we love most, and we can’t wait to celebrate another amazing festival together.”
Local business JERSEY & CO. GELATO will be back with refreshing, delicious, creamy gelatos in fantastic flavors.
WHITE STAR’S three bars scattered throughout the festival will serve craft & domestic beers & cocktails to cool off the crowds.
O’Leary’s Publik House on Garfield Avenue hosts the Wine & Peaches and Limoncello booth. They have become an interictal part of La Festa and have perfected the Wine & Peaches experience. “We’re looking forward to a great time just like last year and the years before,” owner and Jersey City Firefighter Kevin Hennessey says. “It’s always great to see old faces and new faces come out and have a great time.”
Pizza is a huge hit at La Festa Italiana. In addition to “Pie Oh My – Handcrafted Pizza” this year we welcome local business, Eno Pizza. Owner, David Elliott has this to say. Eno wood-fired pizza has been in the neighborhood for many years. A very popular regular at the Wednesday Farmers Market in Hamilton Park and recently the Coles Street market on Tuesdays. The family team grew up nearby, attending La Festa every year. We are excited and proud to join the fun slinging delicious pies in our incredible oven.”
Italian specialties handmade by church parishioners are a highlight at La Festa Italiana like their famous Zeppole (made from a secret recipe) dusted with powdered sugar: they are delicious! Homemade Rice Balls (Arancini) drizzled with tomato gravy wow the crowds every year. Made fresh daily, and only 1,000 rolled, this is one of La Festa’s favorite crowd treats, but you have to grab them early in the night. The hidden gem is the Caffe Italiano behind Holy Rosary Church (go through the alley way) the ladies’ sell freshly made cakes, cannoli, pies, coffee, espresso and tea. There’s plenty of family seating at Caffe Italiano and along with our popular Money Wheel, DJ CARLY will play non-stop tunes.
SPONSORS As a 501© (3) entity, La Festa relies on financial support from our very generous sponsors. Our Gold Sponsor is Point Capital Development – John FioRito. Our Silver Sponsors are: Inserra Supermarkets, Grillo Funeral Services, Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Silverman Properties, The Dante Aleghieri Society, LeFrak & Newport Development, Panepinto Properties, INPEACE, & Guarini Plumbing & Heating. Our Bronze Sponsors are: HDSID, Ambriola, BCB Bank, Anthony J. Ferrara – Tax Specialist.
Religious Celebrations - MASSES AND PROCESSION. On Sunday, Aug. 9th at 11:30 am, the official Feast Day Mass venerating Maria SS. Dell’Assunta & St. Rocco will be celebrated. Holy Rosary’s traditional Street Procession follows the Mass with the statues of Maria SS. Dell ‘Assunta and San Rocco carried through our neighborhood streets as a blessing to Downtown Jersey City. The Clarity Festival Band joins the Procession to play traditional Italian melodies along the route.
La Festa Italiana, Inc., Chairman & CEO, Nick Grillo, who has been in leadership since 1999 has this to say,
“Although La Festa has evolved into a more secular, cultural celebration, each summer it continues to bring together our parishioners, families, friends, and visitors from near and far in support of historic Holy Rosary Church. Holy Rosary has always been a parish rooted in inclusivity—we welcome everyone. La Festa gives us the opportunity to celebrate that spirit through music, food, tradition, and meaningful fellowship. It is our hope that, through this beautiful event, someone may discover a spiritual home at Holy Rosary Church. In the end, that's what La Festa is truly all about.”
Founded in 1885, Holy Rosary Church is the first Italian Church in New Jersey; and La Festa Italiana is Holy Rosary’s special way of saying thank you to its parishioners and neighbors. The century old Church will be open for visitors to see up close the magnificent beauty that is Holy Rosary Church.
For more information, please call us at (201) 795-0120, or visit our website: www.lafestajc.com; find us on Facebook lafestaitalianajc; and our Instagram page @lafestaitalianajc.
