On Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., New York City will celebrate Italian American heritage with its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, honoring the first Italian immigrants who came to America and recognizing the civil servants and first responders who serve their communities and help keep the city safe.
The ceremony will bring together Columbus Citizens Foundation (CCF) President Christopher Loiacono, distinguished Columbus Day Parade honorees, and representatives of the National Council of Columbian Associations in Civil Service.
A special musical performance will feature the Liceo Pertini Vocal Ensemble, composed of high school students from the Scuola e Liceo Musicale S. Pertini in Genoa, Italy.
The tradition predates the Columbus Day Parade, which became a New York City institution in 1929. For generations, members of the Italian Benevolent Society and the Knights of Columbus marched to the Columbus monument to commemorate the explorer's historic voyage and the generations of immigrants who followed.
Today, the ceremony is organized by the National Council of Columbian Associations in Civil Service in collaboration with the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting appreciation of Italian American heritage and achievements.
The program will include brief remarks by representatives of New York's Italian and Italian American communities, musical performances, and the traditional placement of a wreath at the monument, celebrating the enduring contributions of Italian Americans to the city's history and civic life.
