Now in its sixth year, Festa Italiana is one of the most anticipated food and drink festivals of the summer. Taking over Cathedral Gardens, the three-day event is dedicated to the carb-packed street foods of Italy, with Aperol Spritz bars and live demonstrations also on the programme.
Festa Italiana 2023 will take place from 12-10pm Friday 25 – Sunday 27 August, kicking off with ‘Festa Italiana Della Donna’, an event entirely dedicated to female chefs from the region. Already confirmed for the sessions is MasterChef UK contestant Sofia Gallo, Salvi’s head chef Valentina Ambrosino and pasta queen Carmela Sereno Haynes.
There’ll also be additional masterclasses from Italian celebrity chefs over the weekend, including Gennaro Contaldo, Giancarlo Caldesi and Bake Off legend Giuseppe Dell’Anno, alongside a new ‘Grande Tavola’ in collaboration between Birrificio Angelo Poretti and Salvi’s. The ticketed event on Saturday will match traditional Italian dishes and refreshing Poretti lagers.
Manchester’s local talent leads the way when it comes to the food, as visitors can enjoy dishes from the likes of I Knead Pizza, Purezza, The Pasta Factory, T’arricrii, Grandpa Green’s and Café Cannoli. Additionally, you can quench your thirst with a Spritz from Festa Italiana’s spritz bar or explore a range of craft beers, wines and Prosecco at Salvi’s festival bar.
As you sip and scoff, Manchester faves Compagnia Sole Luna will return to Festa Italiana, providing traditional Neapolitan folk music. There’ll also be sets from local musicians, including opera from The Manchester Tenor, Mojoband and more.
To keep the kids busy, Carmela Sereno Hayes is also hosting free pasta making masterclasses from Friday - Sunday where you’ll learn the art of making fresh pasta from scratch.
Festa Italiana returns from Friday 25 – Sunday 27 July. The festival is free to attend, but you can find ticketed events here.