A Guide To The 87th Annual Feast Of San Gennaro
New York City's longest-running and most revered religious outdoor festival in the United States, the Feast of San Gennaro is in its 87th year. Running from Sept 12-22 in the streets of historic Little Italy, the feast is a time to celebrate Italian-American culture and heritage through delicious food, colorful parades, and free musical performances. Check out these eight events happening during the festive 11-day celebration.
Music & Entertainment
Over the span of the 11 day event, many different musicians, artists and local DJs will perform. There will even be broadcasts by 92.3 NOW Radio and WCBS-FM's Joe Causi, along with Italian folk bands, Frank Sinatra cover singers and Broadway veterans. Some of the talented acts performing at this year's festival are singer/songwriter Sarah Petrella, For a full list of entertainers and performances, click here.
Sat., Sept. 14 – Grand Procession
Parade starts at Canal and Mulberry Sts
Proceeds north on Mulberry to Houston St.
Kicking off at 2:00 p.m., the Grand Procession will take place with parade floats, marching bands, and celebrity appearances. The Grand Marshals will be former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Mrs. Matilda Cuomo.
Wednesday, Sept. 18, Pizza Eating Competition
Feast Performance Stage
Corner of Grand and Mott Sts.
New York, NY
You can't go to Little Italy without eating some pizza. From 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. employees from the local cafes, restaurants, and boutiques will eat as many pizza slices as they can in eight minutes. This year, all the pies will be provided by Mulberry Street Bar. Think you can take them? Stop by one of the many local pizzerias after to enjoy your own pie. At 7 p.m. there will be a concert by A Sound Affair.
Thurs., Sept. 19th – Feast Day
Most Precious Blood Church
109 Mulberry St.
New York, NY
A Celebratory High Mass in honor of San Gennaro will take at Most Precious Blood Church, the National Sanctuary of San Gennaro. At 6 p.m. a procession in which the Statue of San Gennaro is carried through the streets of the Feast will unfold.
Sun., Sept. 22 - Annual San Gennaro Blood Drive
St. Patrick's Basilica Youth Center
268 Mulberry Street
11:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Figli di San Gennaro and The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral will co-Sponsor The Annual Feast of San Gennaro Blood Drive. To sign up in advance, call 1-800-Red Cross or visit redcrossblood.org. Caffe Palermo will provide free cannoli to all blood donors at the Youth Center and the Italian American Museum in Little Italy will give Free admission to anyone presenting a Donor Card after donating at the blood drive.
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