San Gennaro Festival 2025—NYC’s Biggest Italian Celebration Returns
If you’re craving zeppoles and a true taste of Italian culture, mark your calendar for San Gennaro 2025. This annual event promises an authentic experience of Italian-American tradition, featuring food, music, and the famous Grand Procession.
What is the San Gennaro Festival?
The San Gennaro Festival is an 11-day celebration in Little Italy, Manhattan, honoring Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. Since 1926, this vibrant festival has become a must-visit event, drawing over a million attendees with its abundance of food, live entertainment, and carnival rides.
When is San Gennaro 2025?
This year, the festival runs from September 11 to September 21, 2025. Festivities are expected to take place from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with specific event times to be confirmed. Festival highlights include the Grand Procession, Blessing of the Stands, and a Solemn High Mass in honor of Saint Gennaro.
What to Expect
- Food: Indulge in traditional Italian treats from vendors offering everything from zeppoles, sausage and peppers, and meatball sandwiches to classic cannoli, pasta, and pizza.
- Entertainment: Enjoy live music from local musicians. The festival also features carnival rides and games. While the full schedule is still being finalized, past years have included lively eating contests, so be on the lookout for a potential zeppole or cannoli challenge.
- Tradition: Don’t miss the Grand Procession with its floats and marching bands, or the Solemn High Mass and other devotional services at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood.
Where is it?
The festival takes place along Mulberry Street in Little Italy, between Canal and Houston Streets. The main stage for live entertainment is located at Grand and Mott Streets.
How Much Does it Cost?
The event is free to attend. However, expect to pay for food, rides, and carnival games. It’s a good idea to bring cash, as some vendors may not accept cards.
Why Celebrate San Gennaro?
The festival honors the Patron Saint of Naples and celebrates the legacy of the Italian immigrants who settled in New York’s Little Italy. It is a cherished tradition that continues to honor faith, community, and Italian culture.
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