Events: Our Lady of the Rosary Spaghetti Dinner in San Diego November

 

Events: A Little Italy Tradition: Our Lady of the Rosary Spaghetti Dinner in San Diego

Every fall, San Diego’s Little Italy smells a little more like home. The streets around Our Lady of the Rosary Church fill with the kind of warmth you can’t fake: red sauce simmering, volunteers moving with purpose, families catching up in line, and plates of spaghetti served the way Italian Americans understand best, generously.

The Our Lady of the Rosary Spaghetti Dinner is one of Little Italy’s most beloved annual traditions. Hosted as a parish fundraiser, the dinner brings together longtime parishioners, neighborhood families, visitors, and anyone who appreciates a good plate of pasta made with care. The event has been promoted as the longest-running event in Little Italy, with the 2025 dinner listed as the 86th annual celebration.

For travelers, it is more than a meal. It is a window into the living culture of San Diego’s Italian community.

What to Expect

The dinner is simple in the best possible way: spaghetti, homemade meatballs, homemade sauce, salad, bread, dessert, and, for adults, wine. The Little Italy Association describes the meal as featuring homemade meatballs and homemade sauce, served with the classic sides that make it feel like a complete Italian American dinner.

The atmosphere is casual, welcoming, and family-friendly. You do not need to be a parishioner to attend. In fact, part of the beauty of the event is that everyone feels like they belong once they are seated with a plate in front of them.

The dinner is held at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Hall in Little Italy, close to the restaurants, shops, and waterfront that make this neighborhood one of San Diego’s most walkable destinations.

A Brief History of Our Lady of the Rosary Church

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church has been a cornerstone of San Diego’s Little Italy for nearly a century. The dream of an Italian parish began in 1921 with Father Sylvester Rabagliati, an Italian-born priest and student of St. John Bosco. The church was established in 1925 to serve San Diego’s growing Italian Catholic community.

For generations, it was more than a place to attend Mass. It became the spiritual, social, and cultural center of Little Italy, especially for fishing families and immigrants who helped shape the neighborhood. The Little Italy Association notes that the church “guided fisherman safely to shore” and served families who built the community around it.

That history is still visible today. The church remains one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmarks, and its restoration ahead of its centennial helped preserve the beauty of its artwork, marble, and sacred interior.

Why This Dinner Matters

I regularly support this fundraiser as a member of the community. When I can, I volunteer at the dinner as a parish member and as a brother Knight in the Knights of Columbus. When I cannot volunteer, I still support it by buying a dinner.

And it is absolutely worth it.

The spaghetti, meatballs, and sauce are made from scratch with authentic ingredients and recipes. This is not a small, polite serving of pasta. They fill your plate the way any good Italian American should: with pride, generosity, and just enough sauce to remind you why traditions like this last.

What makes the dinner special is not only the food. It is the feeling behind it. You see parishioners working side by side, Knights helping where they are needed, families returning year after year, and visitors discovering that Little Italy’s heritage is still alive in the people who show up to serve.

Planning Your Visit

The dinner is tied to the first weekend of November. Past event listings show Saturday dates, including Saturday, November 4, 2023, and Saturday, November 1, 2025.

For 2026, the first Friday of November falls on November 6, but I could not verify a published 2026 event listing yet. Travelers should check the parish’s official website or the event page closer to the date before making firm plans.

A good plan is to make an afternoon or evening of it. Walk through Little Italy, visit the church, enjoy dinner at the parish hall, then take a short stroll toward the waterfront or through the neighborhood’s cafés and shops.

Why You Should Go

San Diego has plenty of polished food events, but the Our Lady of the Rosary Spaghetti Dinner has something better: roots.

It is local, personal, and full of heart. It feeds the parish, supports the community, and gives visitors a taste of Little Italy that cannot be recreated by a restaurant menu alone. For anyone looking for a meaningful San Diego experience in November, this dinner belongs on the list.

For information on the 2026 Spaghetti Dinner, visit the parish website here: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church – Our Lady of the Rosary, Little Italy, San Diego and/or on Facebook here: (1) Facebook

Events: Festa Italiana 2026 in Downtown San Pedro/LA October 10th

Events: Festa Italiana 2026 in Downtown San Pedro: A Southern California Italian Festival Worth the Trip

Southern California has many Italian American events, but Festa Italiana in Downtown San Pedro has become one of the standouts. Presented by the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association, this annual celebration brings together food, music, culture, civic pride, family activities, and the unmistakable harbor-town character of San Pedro.

For 2026, the festival is scheduled for:

Festa Italiana 2026
Saturday, October 10, 2026
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Downtown San Pedro
Free Entry
Website: www.lilaa.org

The event flyer promises live entertainment, authentic Italian food, a beer and wine garden, and kids’ activities, making it a full-day celebration for families, couples, cultural travelers, and anyone who loves Italian heritage.

Why This Festival Matters

San Pedro has long been one of the most important Italian American communities in Los Angeles. Its Italian roots are tied to fishing, the harbor, family businesses, Catholic parish life, neighborhood traditions, and generations of immigrants who helped shape the waterfront identity of the city.

Festa Italiana is more than just a food festival. It is part of the larger effort to keep San Pedro’s Little Italy visible, active, and connected to the broader Italian American community of Southern California.

The event is presented by the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association, often known as LILAA, which has worked to promote Italian culture, heritage, and community life in the San Pedro area. In recent years, San Pedro’s Little Italy has grown in visibility through cultural events, public celebrations, and civic support.

My Personal Experience

Personally, Festa Italiana has become one of my favorite Italian American events in Southern California. The last few times I attended, the atmosphere felt polished, welcoming, and full of pride. It was not just a street fair with food booths. It felt like a real cultural gathering.

Past events have included celebrity guests such as actor Joe Mantegna, as well as civic and community leaders including former Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino and former Assemblyman Mike Gatto. The evenings I attended featured strong entertainment, formal presentations, community awards, and plenty of great food.

To me, this event has also become a worthy successor — and in many ways, a better modern alternative — to the old Los Angeles San Gennaro Festival, which is now defunct. While San Gennaro once held an important place in Southern California’s Italian American festival scene, Festa Italiana in San Pedro feels more rooted, community-driven, and connected to a real Italian American neighborhood.

There is something special about celebrating Italian culture in a place where that history still feels local and alive.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a lively outdoor festival atmosphere with Italian food, drinks, music, entertainment, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

The flyer highlights:

Live Entertainment
Music and stage performances are a major part of the experience. In past years, the entertainment has been one of the strongest parts of the festival, giving the event a festive, professional, and community-centered feel.

Authentic Italian Food
Food is one of the main reasons to attend. Expect Italian favorites, local vendors, and festival-style eating. This is the kind of event where you can walk, sample, sit, listen to music, and return for more.

Beer & Wine Garden
For adults, the beer and wine garden adds to the relaxed evening atmosphere. It is a good option if you plan to stay later into the night.

Kids’ Activities
The festival is family-friendly, making it a good outing for parents, grandparents, and children.

Cultural Presentations and Community Recognition
Based on past experiences, one of the best parts of Festa Italiana is that it often includes presentations, awards, and civic recognition. That gives the event a deeper cultural purpose beyond food and entertainment.

Suggested Itinerary

Morning Arrival: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Arrive early if you want easier parking and a more relaxed first look at the festival. This is a good time to walk through the booths, check out the food options, and get familiar with the layout before the larger afternoon and evening crowds arrive.

Afternoon: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Spend the afternoon enjoying food, entertainment, and nearby Downtown San Pedro. This is also a great time for families, since the event is active but not yet fully in evening mode.

You can also explore nearby San Pedro attractions, including the waterfront, local restaurants, and Little Italy-related landmarks.

Evening: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The evening is usually when the festival feels most exciting. Entertainment, speeches, awards, food, and the beer and wine garden all come together. If you only attend part of the day, the evening portion is likely the most memorable.

Getting There

Downtown San Pedro is located in the harbor region of Los Angeles, south of Downtown LA and near the Port of Los Angeles.

From Downtown Los Angeles

Plan on roughly 30 to 45 minutes by car depending on traffic.

From Orange County

Visitors from Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and northern Orange County can usually reach San Pedro within 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

From San Diego

For readers of The Italian Californian coming from San Diego, this can be a full-day road trip. The drive is usually around two hours or more each way depending on traffic, so it is best to leave early and consider staying overnight if you want to enjoy the evening festivities without rushing home.

Parking

Parking in Downtown San Pedro can vary depending on crowd size and nearby events. Since this is a free festival and likely to draw a strong crowd, arrive early if you want the easiest parking.

Look for nearby public lots, street parking, and designated event parking if announced closer to the date. Always check signs carefully, especially in Downtown San Pedro, where time limits and restrictions may apply.

Where to Stay

If you are traveling from San Diego, Central California, or out of town, staying nearby can make the event more enjoyable.

Good areas to consider include:

San Pedro
Best for staying close to the festival and waterfront.

Long Beach
A good option with more hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and waterfront attractions.

Torrance or Carson
Often practical for travelers looking for more hotel choices and easier freeway access.

Downtown Los Angeles
Better if you want to combine the festival with a larger Los Angeles trip, though it is farther from San Pedro.

Where to Eat Nearby

Even though the festival itself will have food, San Pedro has several nearby dining options worth exploring before or after the event.

Look for Italian restaurants, seafood spots, bakeries, and casual harbor-area eateries. San Pedro’s food culture reflects its working waterfront history, with Italian, Croatian, Mexican, and classic Los Angeles influences all nearby.

For the festival day itself, I would recommend eating at the event first. Supporting the vendors is part of the experience.

Nearby Attractions

If you want to turn Festa Italiana into a full San Pedro day trip, consider adding one or two nearby stops.

Little Italy of Los Angeles / Downtown San Pedro

Walk the surrounding neighborhood and take in the growing identity of San Pedro’s Little Italy district.

Los Angeles Waterfront

The waterfront area gives visitors a sense of San Pedro’s harbor history and maritime character.

Ports O’ Call / West Harbor Area

The waterfront redevelopment area continues to evolve and may be worth checking out depending on what is open by the time of your visit.

Korean Bell of Friendship

One of San Pedro’s most scenic landmarks, offering beautiful views of the coastline and harbor.

Cabrillo Beach

A good coastal stop if you want to add a beach walk to your visit.

Battleship USS Iowa Museum

A major San Pedro attraction and one of the most popular historic sites in the harbor area.

Weather

October is one of the best months to visit Southern California. San Pedro usually has mild coastal weather, with warm afternoons and cooler evenings.

Bring:

A light jacket for the evening
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunglasses or a hat for the daytime
Cash and card, since some vendors may vary in payment options

Because the event runs from late morning until 10:00 PM, dressing in layers is a good idea.

Why Italian Californians Should Go

Festa Italiana is especially meaningful because it celebrates Italian culture in a real California Italian American setting. San Pedro’s Italian history is not just symbolic. It is tied to families, churches, fishing, labor, civic leadership, and the development of Los Angeles Harbor.

For Italian Americans in Southern California, this festival is a chance to reconnect with heritage. For non-Italians, it is a welcoming way to experience the food, music, and community traditions that helped shape the region.

Final Thought

Festa Italiana in Downtown San Pedro is one of the best Italian American cultural events in Southern California. It has the food and music people expect from an Italian festival, but it also has something deeper: a connection to place.

It feels like a celebration of a living community, not just a theme. With free entry, strong entertainment, family activities, and the charm of San Pedro’s harbor setting, this is a festival worth putting on your 2026 calendar.

For more information and updates, visit:

www.lilaa.org

Events: Los Angeles Italian Festival October 4th

 

Events: The Los Angeles Italian Festival: A Travel Guide to Italian Heritage in the Heart of Hollywood

The Los Angeles Italian Festival brings Italian food, music, entertainment, and heritage into one of the most recognizable settings in California: Hollywood. Scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the festival is listed at 1651 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028, near the Hollywood & Highland/Ovation Hollywood area. Ticket listings currently show pricing beginning at $108.55+, so readers should confirm final pricing and availability through Eventbrite before making plans.

Why This Festival Matters

For Italian Californians, Los Angeles has always been one of the great gathering places of the Italian American story. From the historic Italian Hall near Olvera Street to San Pedro’s waterfront Italian community, from old-school restaurants and bakeries to modern cultural organizations, Los Angeles has long carried an Italian presence that is both historic and evolving.

The Los Angeles Italian Festival continues that spirit in a very modern setting. Past descriptions of the event call it a celebration of Italian Heritage Month, bringing together Italian food, live performances, cultural pride, entertainment, celebrity guests, and the classic sights, sounds, aromas, and flavors of an Italian street festival.

This is not just a food event. It is a celebration of identity, neighborhood energy, and Italian American visibility in Los Angeles.

Event Details

Event: The Los Angeles Italian Festival
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: 1651 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Tickets: Listed from $108.55+; confirm through Eventbrite
Official festival website: https://www.thelosangelesitalianfestival.com/
Contact email listed: info@laitalianfestival.com
Phone listed: (818) 945-3378

What to Expect

Visitors can expect the atmosphere of an Italian street festival brought into the middle of Hollywood: food, music, live performances, community pride, and a festive crowd dressed for a day and evening out. The festival has been described as offering Italian food, world-class entertainment, celebrity guests, and a lively kickoff to Italian Heritage Month in Los Angeles.

For readers of The Italian Californian, this is the kind of event that blends several important themes: Italian American heritage, California travel, food culture, and the continuing public presence of Italian identity in major cities.

Getting There

The festival location places visitors near one of the busiest and most tourist-friendly parts of Los Angeles: Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

By Metro

One of the easiest ways to reach the area is by taking the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland Station. Metro’s B Line serves Hollywood/Highland, and Ovation Hollywood sits at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

This is a good option for visitors coming from Downtown Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Universal City, Koreatown, or nearby Metro-connected neighborhoods. It also avoids the stress of Hollywood traffic and event parking.

By Car

Drivers should expect heavy Hollywood traffic, especially near Hollywood Boulevard, Highland Avenue, and nearby tourist attractions. Arrive early and consider booking parking in advance if available.

Ovation Hollywood’s parking garage is entered from Highland Avenue in front of Loews Hollywood or from Orange Court between Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue. Posted rates include $2.50 every 20 minutes, $7.50 per hour, and a daily maximum of $25.

Rideshare

Uber or Lyft may be convenient, but expect surge pricing and crowded pickup zones after the festival ends. A smart plan is to walk a few blocks away from the immediate Hollywood & Highland area before requesting a ride.

Parking Tips

Parking in Hollywood can be expensive and crowded, especially during events. The closest and most practical option is the Ovation Hollywood/Hollywood & Highland parking garage. Visitors may also find nearby paid lots on streets such as Cahuenga, Wilcox, Las Palmas, and Selma, but rates can vary by time, event demand, and availability.

For the least stressful visit, use Metro if possible. For those driving from San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, or Ventura County, consider arriving early, parking once, and making the festival part of a larger Hollywood day trip.

Suggested Itinerary

Midday Arrival

Arrive in Hollywood around 12:30 PM or 1:00 PM. This gives you time to park, walk around, take photos, and get oriented before the festival begins at 2:00 PM.

Start with a short walk along Hollywood Boulevard. Visitors can see the Walk of Fame, nearby theaters, and the energy of one of California’s most recognizable entertainment districts.

Afternoon Festival Time

Enter the festival early and explore the food, entertainment, vendors, and cultural offerings. This is the best time for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants to enjoy the event before the evening crowd builds.

Early Evening

As the sun starts to go down, the festival atmosphere will likely become more lively and social. This is a good time to enjoy music, performances, and the full street-festival feel.

Late Evening

Stay until the evening hours if you want the full Hollywood atmosphere. The event is listed until 10:00 PM, making it easy to turn the day into dinner, drinks, or a Hollywood night out afterward.

Nearby Attractions

Because the festival takes place in Hollywood, visitors can build a full travel day around it.

Ovation Hollywood / Hollywood & Highland
This shopping and entertainment complex sits at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue and is one of the central landmarks in the area.

Dolby Theatre
Located at Ovation Hollywood, the Dolby Theatre is famous as the longtime home of the Academy Awards ceremony.

TCL Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame
Just a short walk away, these are classic Hollywood stops for first-time visitors.

Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is farther north on Highland Avenue. It is one of Los Angeles’ most famous outdoor performance venues and a major cultural landmark.

Where to Stay

For the easiest festival weekend, stay near Hollywood & Highland, Hollywood/Vine, or Universal City. This keeps you close to Metro access and reduces the need to drive across Los Angeles.

Best for convenience: Hotels near Ovation Hollywood or Hollywood Boulevard.
Best for nightlife: Hollywood or West Hollywood.
Best for families: Universal City or Burbank, where the area may feel easier to navigate.
Best for a quieter stay: Glendale, Pasadena, or Studio City, with a Metro or rideshare connection into Hollywood.

Where to Eat Nearby

Since the festival itself is expected to feature Italian food, many visitors may want to eat at the event. But if you are planning a full Los Angeles weekend, consider adding nearby Italian or Italian American stops elsewhere in the city.

For a broader Italian American travel day, readers may also consider visiting:

San Antonio Winery near Downtown Los Angeles
A historic Italian American winery and restaurant experience.

The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles near Olvera Street
A major cultural stop for anyone interested in Italian history in Southern California.

St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church in Los Angeles
An important spiritual and cultural landmark for the Italian community.

San Pedro’s Little Italy District
A great add-on for those who want to connect the Hollywood festival with the harbor-area Italian American story.

Weather and What to Wear

Early October in Los Angeles is usually warm during the day and cooler in the evening. Since the festival runs from afternoon into night, dress in layers. Comfortable walking shoes are important because the area around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue can involve standing, walking, crowds, stairs, parking garages, and Metro platforms.

A good outfit would be casual but festive: Italian colors, comfortable shoes, sunglasses for the afternoon, and a light jacket for later in the evening.

Who Should Go

This festival is a good fit for:

Italian Americans and Italian culture lovers
Food and wine enthusiasts
Families looking for a cultural outing
Los Angeles locals who enjoy festivals
Travelers visiting Hollywood
Readers interested in California’s Italian American communities
Anyone who wants to celebrate Italian Heritage Month in a public, festive setting

Travel Notes for San Diego Readers

For readers coming from San Diego, this can be done as a long day trip, but an overnight stay may make the experience more enjoyable. The drive from San Diego to Hollywood can be demanding, especially with Los Angeles traffic. If you go for the full festival, stay late, and plan to enjoy the surrounding area, booking a hotel nearby may be worth it.

A practical plan would be to leave San Diego in the morning, arrive in Hollywood by early afternoon, attend the festival, stay overnight, and visit another Italian American landmark in Los Angeles or San Pedro the next day.

Final Thought

The Los Angeles Italian Festival is more than another food event. It is a public celebration of Italian American heritage in one of California’s most famous urban settings. For The Italian Californian, it represents exactly the kind of cultural gathering worth documenting: Italian pride, California travel, food, music, family, and identity all coming together in the heart of Hollywood.

Whether you are Italian American by blood, by marriage, by friendship, or simply by love of the culture, this festival offers a chance to celebrate Italian heritage Los Angeles style.

Useful Links
Eventbrite listing: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-los-angeles-italian-festival-tickets-1983341539936
Festival website: https://www.thelosangelesitalianfestival.com/
Ovation Hollywood: https://www.ovationhollywood.com/
LA Metro: https://www.metro.net/

Events

 

The Italian Californian Events Calendar

Italian & Italian American Events in California and Beyond

Festivals, feast days, cultural programs, galas, networking mixers, food events, heritage celebrations, and Italian American community gatherings.

This calendar highlights events discussed on The Italian Californian events page. It is designed as a reader-friendly guide for planning day trips, weekend getaways, cultural outings, and community participation across California and beyond.

Reminder: Event details can change. Always confirm dates, times, pricing, registration, parking, and location directly with the official organizer before attending.

Quick Links:
The Italian Californian Events Page
Little Italy of Los Angeles Association / LILAA
Taste of Little Italy — Official Page
The Los Angeles Italian Festival — Official Website

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Featured 2026 Events

ItalyRunLA 5K 2026 — San Pedro / Los Angeles Waterfront

Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Location: San Pedro / Los Angeles Waterfront

A festive 5K celebrating Italian pride, San Pedro’s Little Italy identity, and the 80th Anniversary of the Italian Republic. Runners, walkers, families, and supporters are invited to wear green, white, and red and enjoy a scenic morning near the Los Angeles Harbor.

Read The Italian Californian article
Official ItalyRunLA page
Facebook event page

Taste of Little Italy 2026 — San Diego

Dates: Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM each evening

Check-in: Piazza della Famiglia, 523 W. Date Street, San Diego, CA 92101

One of San Diego’s signature food events, Taste of Little Italy turns the neighborhood into a self-guided culinary walk with tasting passports, restaurant stops, live music, piazzas, and the energy of one of California’s best-known Italian American districts.

Read The Italian Californian article
Official Taste of Little Italy page

87th Anniversary St. Anthony Feast — Los Angeles

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026

Time: Mass at 11:30 AM; procession to follow; dinner dance at 1:30 PM

Location: St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, 1039 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

A historic Italian Catholic feast day honoring St. Anthony of Padua with Mass, procession, dinner, music, dancing, and community tradition at one of Southern California’s most important Italian Catholic churches.

Read The Italian Californian article
St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church

The Los Angeles Italian Festival 2026 — Hollywood

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: 1651 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Tickets: Listed from $108.55+; confirm current pricing through Eventbrite.

A Hollywood-based Italian heritage celebration featuring food, music, entertainment, community pride, and the atmosphere of an Italian street festival in one of California’s most recognizable destinations.

Read The Italian Californian article
Official festival website
Eventbrite listing
Ovation Hollywood
LA Metro

Festa Italiana 2026 — Downtown San Pedro

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Location: Downtown San Pedro, Los Angeles

Admission: Free entry

One of Southern California’s standout Italian American festivals, Festa Italiana in Downtown San Pedro brings together live entertainment, authentic Italian food, a beer and wine garden, kids’ activities, community awards, and the harbor-town spirit of San Pedro’s Little Italy.

Read The Italian Californian article
Little Italy of Los Angeles Association / LILAA

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2026 Calendar at a Glance

Date	Event	Location	Highlights
April 10–12, 2026	La Piazza Festival	Santa Barbara	Italian market, concerts, food, music, and family activities.
May 15, 2026	Convivio Society Book Banter	San Diego Little Italy	Books, conversation, Italian culture, and community.
May 16, 2026	Translation Practices at the Time of A.I.	San Diego / Zoom	Hybrid ICC program on language, translation, and artificial intelligence.
May 17, 2026	Bocce & Birra	AMICIBAR / San Diego Little Italy	Bocce, drinks, fellowship, and Italian American community.
May 20, 2026	Italian American Business Professionals Mixer	Sonny’s Pizza, San Diego	Networking for Italian American professionals, owners, managers, and employees.
May 28, 2026	National Education and Leadership Awards Gala	Washington, D.C.	National Sons of Italy Foundation gala.
May 29, 2026	Italian American Vintage Tribute at Cicada	Downtown Los Angeles	Classic Italian American entertainment and vintage supper-club atmosphere.
May 31, 2026	ItalyRunLA 5K	San Pedro / Los Angeles Waterfront	Italian pride, waterfront views, race shirts, medals, and community energy.
June 14, 2026	St. Anthony Feast	St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, Los Angeles	Mass, procession, dinner dance, Catholic tradition, and Italian heritage.
June 16–17, 2026	Taste of Little Italy	San Diego Little Italy	Restaurant tastings, live music, piazzas, and neighborhood atmosphere.
June 27, 2026	Salinas Festa Italia	Oldtown Salinas	Italian food, wine, music, vendors, and Central Coast community pride.
June 28, 2026	San Pietro Society Luncheon	Italian American Club, San Pedro	Community luncheon tied to San Pedro Italian traditions.
September 5, 2026	Julian Grape Stomp Festa	Menghini Winery, Julian	Grape stomping, wine, music, vendors, and mountain festival atmosphere.
September 2026	Festa Italia Monterey	Custom House Plaza, Monterey	Long-running coastal Italian festival. Confirm exact 2026 weekend with organizer.
October 4, 2026	The Los Angeles Italian Festival	Hollywood / Los Angeles	Italian food, music, entertainment, and Italian Heritage Month energy.
October 10, 2026	Festa Italiana 2026	Downtown San Pedro / Los Angeles	Free Italian American festival with food, entertainment, beer and wine garden, and kids’ activities.
October 25–November 1, 2026	ICC Italy Immersion Trip to Tuscany	Montepulciano, Tuscany	Language, culture, travel, and Italian immersion experience.
November 8, 2026	Italian Community Services 110th Anniversary Gala	Casa Fugazi, San Francisco / North Beach	Anniversary gala celebrating Italian American community support in San Francisco.

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May 2026

Convivio Society Book Banter

Date: May 15, 2026

Location: M Winehouse, San Diego Little Italy

A complimentary evening of books, conversation, Italian culture, and community.

Read more

Translation Practices at the Time of A.I.

Date: May 16, 2026

Location: Italian Cultural Center of San Diego and Zoom

A hybrid cultural program exploring translation, language, Italian culture, and artificial intelligence.

Read more

Bocce & Birra

Date: May 17, 2026

Location: AMICIBAR / Amici House, San Diego Little Italy

A Convivio Society gathering centered on bocce, beer, fellowship, and Italian American community.

Read more

Italian American Business Professionals Mixer

Date: May 20, 2026

Location: Sonny’s Pizza, 1728 Madison Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

A casual mixer for Italian American business owners, managers, employees, and professionals in the San Diego area.

Read more

National Education and Leadership Awards Gala

Date: May 28, 2026

Location: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.

A national Sons of Italy Foundation gala honoring Italian American leadership, education, philanthropy, and culture.

Read more
Official NELA Gala page

Italian American Vintage Tribute at Cicada

Date: May 29, 2026

Location: Cicada Restaurant and Lounge, Downtown Los Angeles

A vintage-style Italian American music night inspired by classic entertainers such as Dean Martin and Louis Prima.

View events page

June 2026

St. Anthony Feast

Date: June 14, 2026

Location: St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, Los Angeles

Mass, procession, dinner dance, music, and Italian Catholic tradition.

Read more

Taste of Little Italy

Dates: June 16–17, 2026

Location: San Diego Little Italy / Piazza della Famiglia

Two evenings of restaurant tastings, live music, piazzas, and neighborhood energy.

Read more

5th Annual Salinas Festa Italia

Date: June 27, 2026

Location: 200 block of Main Street, Oldtown Salinas

Italian food, wine, music, vendors, kids activities, entertainment, and Central Coast community pride.

Read more
Festa Italia Salinas Facebook page

San Pietro Society Luncheon

Date: June 28, 2026

Location: Italian American Club, San Pedro

A San Pedro Italian community luncheon connected to San Pietro traditions and local Italian American heritage.

Read more

September 2026

Julian Grape Stomp Festa

Date: September 5, 2026

Location: Menghini Winery, Julian, California

Grape stomping, wine, music, vendors, and mountain-town festival atmosphere.

Read more

Festa Italia Monterey

Date: September 2026

Location: Custom House Plaza, Monterey

A long-running Italian festival celebrating Monterey’s historic Italian fishing and coastal heritage. Confirm the exact 2026 weekend with the official organizer before attending.

View events page

October–November 2026

The Los Angeles Italian Festival

Date: October 4, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: 1651 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

A major Italian heritage festival in the heart of Hollywood with food, music, entertainment, community pride, and Italian Heritage Month energy.

Read more
Official festival website
Eventbrite listing

Festa Italiana 2026 in Downtown San Pedro

Date: October 10, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Location: Downtown San Pedro, Los Angeles

Admission: Free entry

A free Italian American festival presented by LILAA, featuring live entertainment, Italian food, beer and wine, kids’ activities, civic pride, and the community spirit of San Pedro.

Read more
Official LILAA website

ICC Italy Immersion Trip to Tuscany

Dates: October 25–November 1, 2026

Location: Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy

A language and culture immersion experience connected to the Italian Cultural Center of San Diego and Vero Viaggio.

Read more

Italian Community Services 110th Anniversary Gala

Date: November 8, 2026

Location: Casa Fugazi, San Francisco / North Beach

A major anniversary gala celebrating Italian Community Services, Italian American heritage, and community support in San Francisco.

View events page

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Recurring & Ongoing Italian American Events

Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market — San Diego

Schedule: Wednesdays and Saturdays

Location: West Date Street, San Diego Little Italy

The Little Italy Mercato is one of the best recurring cultural experiences in San Diego’s Little Italy, combining food, local vendors, neighborhood life, and the walkable atmosphere of the historic Italian district.

Read more
Official Mercato page

Convivio Society Programs — San Diego Little Italy

Location: AMICIBAR Caffè + Heritage House, 250 W. Date Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Convivio Society hosts cultural programs, coffee gatherings, music, film, book discussions, language events, neighborhood activities, and community-building programs in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy.

Read The Italian Californian spotlight
Official Convivio Society website

Italian Cultural Center of Northern California Events — Carmichael / Sacramento Area

Location: 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, CA

The Italian Cultural Center of Northern California offers cultural events, language programs, films, lectures, food and wine gatherings, and Italian heritage programming for the Sacramento region.

View events page

Reno Great Italian Festival — Reno, Nevada

Typical Season: October

Location: Downtown Reno

Although outside California, the Reno Great Italian Festival remains relevant for Italian Californians because of its regional reach and its connection to Italian American culture across the West.

View events page

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Older Event Mentioned

State of the Neighborhood 2025

Date: September 25, 2025

Location: Rooftop Lanai, 2100 Kettner Blvd., San Diego

A Little Italy Association rooftop community celebration focused on neighborhood updates, civic pride, and the continued development of San Diego’s Little Italy.

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How to Use This Calendar

Use this page as a starting point for planning Italian American day trips, weekend getaways, festival visits, cultural outings, and community participation across California. Some events require tickets, reservations, or advance registration, while others may be free or open to the public.

For the best experience, check the official event page before attending, arrive early for parking, bring comfortable walking shoes, and consider making each event part of a larger neighborhood visit.

Viva la comunità. Viva la cultura. Viva The Italian Californian.