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The Feast of San Gennaro is an annual celebration of Italian-American culture along Mulberry Street in Little Italy!
The Feast of San Gennaro is an annual celebration of Italian-American culture and cuisine centered along Mulberry Street in Little Italy. The festival’s origins date back to September 1926, when a group of immigrants from Naples, Italy erected a small chapel on Mulberry Street to house an image in honor of Januarius, the patron saint of their hometown. Januarius is the name Gennaro in Neapolitan Italian. Individuals who came to pray to the saint were asked to pin an offering to the ribbon streamers hanging from the statue’s apron. The money gathered from the festivity was then distributed to the poor living in the neighborhood.
The New York City festival, an 11-day salute to the patron saint of Naples, is run by Figli di San Gennaro (Children of San Gennaro), a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the spirit and faith of the early Italian community. From September 12 to September 22, 2022, more than one million people from around the world are expected to flock to the Feast of San Gennaro to participate in the parades, religious processions, musical performances — and, of course, to chow down on the variety of Italian foods offered. The festival will occur on Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Streets. Hester Street will also host festivities between Baxter and Centre Streets, while Grand Street will allow festivities between Baxter and Centre Streets.
The festival begins with the Blessing of the Stands on September 12 at 6 p.m. During this event, a Parish Priest parades through the festival blessing all of the shops, restaurants, vendors, and merchants so that they may have an enjoyable and successful feast.
A large parade called the Grand Procession will take place on September 14 at 2 p.m. If you arrive early, you will be able to see floats, celebrities, a gondola, and antique cars. Anne Burrel, a Food Network personality and chef is the grand marshall of this year’s parade which honors the Armed Forces.
On September 19th, a celebratory mass at the Church of the Most Precious Blood and Grand Procession will take place, during which a statue of San Gennaro will be carried from the church through the streets of Little Italy. Located at 113 Baxter Street between Canal and Hester Streets, the Church of the Most Precious Blood served as a prime place of worship for New York’s growing Italian immigrant community. Today, the church is home to several religious societies such as the Community of Sant Egidio, San Angelo Society, and Saint Rocco of Potenza Society.
An array of eating competitions occur throughout the festival, including an Annual Cannoli Eating Competition during which contestants have eaten more than 30 cannolis in six minutes. Other competitions have included competitive Zeppole eating, Pizza eating, and the meatball Eating Contest.
If eating food in quick succession sounds unappealing, the Feast of San Gennaro also allows vendors to host pop-up stands where festivalgoers can feast on Italian favorites including Italian meats and cheeses. Some of the most popular dishes served at the festival include sausage and peppers and zeppoles. In the past, notable stands, such as Danny on the Corner—known for its zeppoles—and Lucy’s Sausage, have accrued long lines of hungry tourists and New Yorkers alike.
Musical attractions throughout the festival will include performances by Eric DeLauro of the Rat Pack Band (September 12), the jazzy Jessa V Quartet (September 15), singing duo Francesca and Theresa (September 15), the Giglio Band (September 19) and many more! Check out the calendar of events here.
Whether one is traveling to Mulberry Street for food, music, or religious ceremonies, the Feast of San Gennaro has something for everyone to enjoy. From some of the city’s oldest bakeries to the National Shrine Church of San Gennaro, Little Italy awaits festivalgoers with Italian American cultural spots and historic New York locations.
Next, check out the top 10 secrets of Little Italy!
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