Great Entertainment Line Up for the 90th Festa Italia to Return to the Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park in Downtown Monterey on September 8-10, 2023

Download the 2023 Festa Italia Program

Download this Letter to the Editor about Festa Italia

Monterey, CA. August 2023. Here’s additional updates! Don’t miss the award-winning 90th Festa Italia, celebrating Monterey’s Italian heritage and cultural traditions. Join us for this special festival honoring the local fishermen of Monterey, both past and present. This event’s free entertainment line-up, described below, is unrivaled!

New this year will be a Fisherman’s Wharf Cioppino Cooking Demo by award-winning Chef Tene Shake of Kokomo's/Grotto Fish Market on Saturday, September 9th at 1:00 pm. Complimentary copies of his recipe will also be available.

This popular family friendly free event shares the sights, sounds, food, and culture that make the Italian experience so special. It is a celebrated festival each year drawing locals and visitors from the Bay Area and beyond. It features three days of authentic Italian cuisine, great music, dancing, fun and friendship. The delicious flavors of Italy are enjoyed by attendees with tasty food offerings (for purchase) including Calamari, Steak and Sausage Sandwiches, Pasta, Arancini, Cannoli, Italian cookies and Italian sodas and more, as well as wine, beer, sodas, Lavazza coffee, and water. There is also an array of Italian and Festa Italia-themed merchandise as well as vendors selling crafts and clothing. NEW this year will be an array of special 90th Anniversary Festa Italia merchandise.

The first Festa Italia in Monterey was celebrated in 1933 when a statue of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Sicilian fishermen, was donated to the San Carlos Cathedral. Sicilian fishermen would pray to their patron saint for a safe journey and bountiful harvest. It is important that we remember our cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations. Festa Italia celebrates these traditions and keeps our stories, old and new, alive to ensure that our heritage is never lost. Everyone is welcome to join in at this fun, festive event! The 2022 Festa Italia was pleased to win the Reader’s Choice Award for Best Community Event in the Monterey Herald.

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At a Glance:

What: 90th Festa Italia held by the Festa Italia Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

Festival Entry Cost: Free

Where: 20 Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park, Downtown Monterey

When: Friday – Sunday, September 8-10, 2023

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Friday, September 8th, 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Food, Wine, Beer & Vendors (for purchase)
The Money Band – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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Saturday, September 9th, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Opening Ceremonies and Procession to Old Fisherman’s Wharf begins at 11:30 am for the traditional blessing of the fishing fleet followed by entertainment and all event activities, including the Bocce Tournament.

Congressman Jimmy Panetta and other elected officials will give opening remarks.

A special Mass will be held at 10:00 am at the nearby San Carlos Cathedral, located at 500 Church Street in Monterey.

Food, Wine & Vendors (for purchase)

Mike Marotta Band including Mike Marotta and Dennis Murphy and Paul Tarantino and vocalists Dave Marzetti, Erasmo Aiello, Rachel Marotta Halim and Anna Marotta Halim
Tarantella Dancers
Anthony Lane Band
Pasquale Esposito
831 All Star Band (Detailed schedule below.)

New! Fisherman’s Wharf Cioppino Cooking Demo by award-winning Chef Tene Shake of Kokomo's/Grotto Fish Market on Saturday, September 9th at 1:00 pm. Complimentary copies of his recipe will also be available.

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Sunday, September 10th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Bocce Tournament
Food, Wine, Beer & Vendors (for purchase)

Mike Marotta Band including Mike Marotta and Dennis Murphy and Paul Tarantino and singers Dave Marzetti, Erasmo Aiello, Rachel Marotta Halim and Anna Marotta Halim
Tarantella Dancers
Anthony Lane Band
Pasquale Esposito
831 All Star Band

Where: Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park, Downtown Monterey

Bocce Tournament – Saturday and Sunday, September 9th and 10th at the bocce courts at the Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park

Tickets are sold for raffles for a variety of prizes (need not be present to win)

Information: (831) 633-4444 or email mail@FestaItaliaMonterey.org

Additional information on the website: www.FestaItaliaMonterey.org. Fun for the whole family!

Enjoy these two low-cost family fun activities on the Upper Custom House Plaza during Festa Italia:

Euro Bungee

This amazing bungee trampoline flings you 25 feet into the air as you jump and flip on a trampoline. The Euro Bungee air power jump gives you the sensation of being completely weightless. Experience the adrenaline rush of a bungee jump as you perform gravity-defying moves at your own speed/pace. You control the amount of fun you can have. Weight limit: 30 lbs - 200 lbs.

Bubble Fun Water Balls

These Water Balls are the most innovative and fun inflatable you will find. Just climb inside the 6-foot water ball, and they will fill it with air and zip it up. Next you will enter the pool where you can walk, jump, roll, and float on the water. You don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience. Bubble Fun Water Balls are designed for all ages to enjoy. There is no age limit for this activity. Weight limit: 175 lbs.

Raffles

Tickets are sold for raffles for a variety of prizes (need not be present to win).

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Entertainment Schedule:

Friday, September 8, 2023

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Money Band

Saturday, September 9, 2023

11:30 am - 12:00 Noon Opening Ceremonies
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Mike Marotta and Friends
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Anthony Lane Band
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Pasquale Esposito
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Anthony Lane Band
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pasquale Esposito
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 831 ALLSTAR BAND

Sunday, September 10, 2023

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Anthony Lane Band
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Pasquale Esposito
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Mike Marotta and Friends
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Pasquale Esposito
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Anthony Lane Band
Schedule subject to change

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Bios of Entertainers

Bio of Chef Tene Shake

2023 Festa Italia Flyer

Information: (831) 633-4444 or email mail@FestaItaliaMonterey.org