A Word About Columbus

LIA Board members Dan Moceri and Louis Palestini were in the piazza speaking to people about Columbus

Today is still Columbus Day in some parts of the country. Right or wrong, many Italian Americans feel that the opposition to Columbus is a personal attack on their community. While it is true that Columbus wasn't perfect, he truly was a "man of his times," the facts that can't be disputed are that what Columbus did was a huge changing point in World history, re-uniting mankind of both Hemispheres who had been separated for tens or even hundreds of thousands of years and setting the stage for what would eventually become the United States of America. Many Italian Americans therefore look at him with pride. I, personally, see him as a major player in history, but I do not approve of everything he and the Europeans after him, did here in the Western Hemisphere. I recognize the good and the bad, not ignoring the good, nor glossing over the bad. But recognizing history for what it is and a pledge for me personally and for us humans to do better in the future, particularly in how we treat each other.

Have a good Columbus Day to those who celebrate it, an awesome Italian American Heritage Day, and a happy Indigenous Peoples Day with my pledge not to forget the suffering you (Indigenous Peoples) faced and the injustices you still face today. We as Italians faced prejudice in this country as well at one time and of course suffered thousands of years of conquest and colonization back in Europe. I don't agree with everything today's Native American activists fight for or say, but I am with you.

#columbus #columbusday #christophercolumbus #italianheritageday #indeginouspeoplesday #indeginouspeople #nativeamerican #nativeamericanday #Italianstyle #Italian #italianheritage #italiancalifornia #ItalianAmerican #italianamericans #ItalianAmericanHeritage #ItalianAmericans #Italiancalifornian #ItalianAmericanPride #ItalianSanDiego

Posted by Christopher Forte. All opinions in this article are mine personally and do not reflect those of The Italian Californian.

 

🌇 State of the Neighborhood 2025: A Rooftop Celebration in San Diego’s Little Italy

Photo: Rooftop of Kilroy’s 2100 Kettner overlooking the marina

Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Rooftop Lanai of 2100 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA

👉 RSVP NOW – Get Your Tickets

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🎤 A Night to Honor Little Italy’s Past, Present & Future

Join community leaders, neighbors, local business owners, and friends of San Diego’s most beloved district for a special evening that blends storytelling, music, food, and celebration.

At the heart of this year’s event is Chris Gomez, Chief Executive Administrator of the Little Italy Association, who will lead a compelling multimedia presentation on where the neighborhood has been, what it’s currently achieving, and what exciting developments are just around the corner.

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🥂 Rooftop Vibes, Cocktail Hour & Skyline Views

Photo: Rooftop cocktail hour at golden hour

Doors open at 5:30 PM—arrive early to mingle, grab a drink, and enjoy a rooftop cocktail hour as the sun sets over the bay.

The official presentation begins at 7:15 PM, so don’t be late!

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🍝 Mangia! — A Feast from the Heart of the Neighborhood

Photo: Local flavors from neighborhood restaurants

Your ticket includes a buffet-style dinner, dessert, and drink (alcoholic for VIPs, non-alcoholic for General Admission). The meal is generously donated by beloved local restaurants and bakeries.

👑 VIP Admission – $60

• Reserved indoor seating with premium views of the presentation

• One (1) entrée plate and dessert

• One (1) beer or glass of wine

🎟️ General Admission – $50

• First-come, first-served seating

• One (1) entrée plate and dessert

• One (1) non-alcoholic beverage

Note: Additional drinks available for purchase. Service fees apply.

👉 Click here to reserve your seat

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🎶 Sunset Serenade: The Rat Pack Reborn

Photo: Rat Pack Reborn performing classic Vegas-era hits

Enjoy a live performance by Rat Pack Reborn, bringing the smooth sounds of Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. to life under the stars. It’s a nostalgic twist on a modern evening—only in Little Italy.

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🎟️ Raffle Prizes & Local Surprises

Photo: Raffle prizes donated by Little Italy businesses

Win exclusive prizes donated by local merchants—raffle tickets available at the door:

• 🎫 $5 for 1 ticket

• 🎫 $20 for 5 tickets

• 🎫 $100 for an arm's length (approx. 25 tickets)

🎁 Grand Prize: A One-Year Parking Pass from LAZ Parking!

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👗 Dress Code: Casual or Business Casual

Whether you’re coming from work or meeting friends for a night out, the dress code is relaxed but polished. Comfortable shoes encouraged—dancing is optional, but encouraged. 😉

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❤️ Celebrate What Makes Little Italy Great

This is more than a fundraiser or community meeting—it’s a celebration of one of San Diego’s most vibrant, resilient, and beautiful neighborhoods.

We’re telling our story—past, present, and future—and we want you to be a part of it.

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🎟️ Reserve Your Spot Today – Limited Seating!

📍 Rooftop Lanai at 2100 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
📆 Thursday, September 25 | 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Let’s raise a glass to the people, places, and passion that make Little Italy the true heart of San Diego.

Bella Vita Fest San Diego 2024

 

COMING Soon!

Bella Vita Fest

Celebration of Italian Culture, Featuring Chalk Art, Wine, Food, Music and More
October 19 & 20, 2024
Little Italy • Downtown San Diego

Bella Vita Fest, produced by the ArtWalk San Diego team, promises a unique experience for attendees. View more than 50 chalk art paintings being created live before your eyes on the pavement. Treat yourself to delicious Italian wines and food. Enjoy live music with an Italian flair. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend!

More info click here.

San Diego's Italian Church Holds Annual Festa & Blessing of the Fishing Fleet October 6th, 2024

 

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, an Italian National Parish in San Diego will hold its "Marian" or "Our Lady of the Rosary Festa." There is a special Mass where all parish societies and groups carry their banners in the opening procession. In years past the Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, now a Cardinal, has celebrated the Mass. After Mass they, along with the public who are welcomed to join, process or parade through the streets of the Little Italy neighborhood down to the harbor. There, along the Embarcadero, a boat is blessed, and fireworks are set off. The procession then parades back to the church where there is a benediction and doves are set free signifying peace. Afterwards there is a complimentary luncheon in the Parish Hall.

Our Lady of the Rosary Festa commemorates the October 7th victory of the combined Christian European fleets of the Holy League of 1571 over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Lepanto and was originally called the "Feast of Our Lady of Victory."

Below are photos from past Festas. 

What: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Where: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

1668 State Street San Diego, CA 92101

(619)234-4820

OLRSD.org

When: Sunday, October 6th, 2024

11:00 am Rosary

12:00 Mass

1:30 Procession

Past Festas:

Festa 2018 Album

Festa 2017 Album

Festa 2016 Album

Back to The Italian Californian Main Site

Italian Cultural Center of San Dego Presents Paths to Italy Saturday June 1 4 - 6 pm

 

Paths to Italy Saturday June 1 4 - 6 pm At Convivio's Amici House in Little Italy Discover paths to Italian citizenship, residence, home ownership, and touring with three experts

Dreaming of becoming an Italian citizen, resident, home owner, or more knowledgeable traveler? Join San Diego's Honorary Consul and Convivio Director Tom Cesarini, ICC's CILS Program Director Patrizia Lissoni, and Elena Bernardi of Cultural Italy to discover tips and steps towards Italian citizenship, residence, home ownership, or glorious touring in Convivio's charming space in Little Italy. To celebrate Italy's Festa della Repubblica, ICC and Convivio collaborate in helping our constitutencies get curious abut how to become... more Italian! Time for questions and gelato for all from GelatoLove to follow. All your donations will be split equally between Convivio and Italian Cultural Center, both not-for-profit associations.  Suggested donation is $15 per participant.

Little Italy San Diego Tree Lighting & Christmas Village December 2nd, 2023

 

Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

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PHOTOS WITH SANTA

They are here!  Click here to download your picture with Santa, for FREE, from the 2022 Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 FROM 4:00PM TO 8:00PM

Ho Ho Ho… Can you hear those jingle bells? This year SANTA IS BACK for our annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village on Saturday, December 3rd from 4:00pm-8:00pm!

Transforming into a winter wonderland with Christmas twinkle lights down all the streets, our beautiful urban neighborhood will be adorned with 10-foot tall nutcrackers and kinetic tree holiday displays on street corners, Christmas songs and more. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to come together to experience true holiday joy at this family-friendly event and enjoy the neighborhood’s festive décor—including two Christmas trees, Joshua Hubert’s Aurora tree at Piazza Basilone and the permanent 25-foot tree at Piazza della Famiglia, seasonal vendors, live music and entertainment, holiday treats, a traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony, and this year SANTA IS BACK to grant everyone’s Christmas wishes!

You can also enjoy... read more here.

Bella Vita Fest: Celebration of Italian Culture, Featuring Chalk Art, Wine, Food, Music and More

 

Bella Vita Fest:  Celebration of Italian Culture, Featuring Chalk Art, Wine, Food, Music and More

October 21 & 22, 2023
11am - 5pm
San Diego's Little Italy

Bella Vita Fest, produced by the ArtWalk San Diego team, has been on the drawing table since 2018.  The festival promises a unique experience for attendees.  View more than 50 chalk art paintings being created live before your eyes on the pavement.  Treat yourself to delicious Italian wines and food.  Enjoy live music with an Italian flair.  Mark your calendar now and plan to attend October 21 and 22 in San Diego's Little Italy.  Tickets are on sale here. 

And read more about it here.

Convivio Society of San Diego Announces Endowment Campaign for larger Cultural Center

 

The Convivio Society of San Diego, a nonprofit that celebrates all things Italian and brings art and culture to San Diego's Little Italy, announces its endowment campaign for a new cultural center! 

 For the last two decades, with patronage and guidance from its supporters, the Convivio Society has brought unique, innovative arts and cultural programming:

• It has developed a space in Little Italy that serves as the neighborhood's heritage, event, and visitor center;

• It has established the Italian Archives of San Diego to preserve our cherished artifacts and recount our collective historical narrative, so vital to the development of San Diego;

•  It has published books on the history of Little Italy and San Diego's fishing industry;

• It has brought you concerts, artisan exhibits, presentations and lectures, films, and we have partnered with like-minded groups to further our impact through collaborative programs and projects;

• It has brought Italian consular services to Little Italy to help co-nationals;

• this spring, it will embark on our ambitious documentary series on the Italian heritage and culture of San Diego;

• and it is working to re-establish the much-cherished Sicilian Festival in San Diego 
  

And now the Convivio Society is seeking support to make its vision of a larger cultural center, a home for all of San Diego's Italians, Italians everywhere, and for those that wish they were, a reality! To donate to this worthy cause, and support other worthwhile causes and programming by the Convivio Society, click here: givebutter.com/contribute

2nd Annual Casino di Piazza in Little Italy San Diego FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

 

Casino di Piazza

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PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 FROM 7:00PM TO 11:00PM

The Little Italy Association invites you to join us as we transform the Piazza della Famiglia into an exquisite Italian garden casino experience for this year’s 2nd Annual Casino di Piazza on Friday, September 15th from 7:00pm to 11:00pm.

In partnership with Vici Luxury Rentals, the evening will feature craft cocktails, light hors d'oeuvres, live music, Blackjack, Craps and Roulette under the stars. Dress to impress in your very best cocktail or black-tie attire as you enjoy every detail carefully curated to give guests the most authentic Italian garden casino experience. Upon arrival guests will be transported to the beautiful, manicured gardens of Milan with the beautiful greenery lined walls and classic Italian statues set in the heart of the Piazza della Famiglia.

Casino di Piazza has two admission opportunities including...read more here..