Philadelphia, PA – South Philadelphia will be a sea of red, white and green as a beloved tradition with roots back to the early 1900s returns to South Philadelphia. The Annual St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival will bring out thousands of people on Sunday, October 4th, to the 1700 Block of South 9th Street, from 12 Noon to 8:00pm. One of the largest authentic Italian festivals of the year is back and starts with the annual religious procession throughout the neighborhood with a long line of the Statues of Saints and their faithful following.
Food vendors will include The Kitchen Consigliere, Termini Bros Bakery and Del Buono Bakery. Food favorites include everything from meatball and porchetta sandwiches, pasta and gravy, cannolis, arancini, broccoli rabe, eggplant rollata, escarole and beans, tripe and more. Entertainment will include a special surprise performance by The New York Tenors, plus City Rhythm Orchestra, Quaker City String Band, City Rhythm “Sound of Philadelphia Dance Party,” DJ Spanky Brown, DJ Bob Kelly, Nick Desiderio, Matthew Maisano and more. Family and fun for the kids will include rides, face painting, games, sand art and more. The festival is no charge and open to the public, with food and drink pay as you go. For more information, visit www.stnicksitalianfestival.com .
Italian festivals have been held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church for over 100 years. The parish was established in 1912 by Italian immigrants who wished to maintain a connection to their homeland, and their great spirit of faith, family and tradition has been maintained throughout the decades. The current-day festival began in 1987 on the occasion of the parish’s 75th Anniversary and has been thriving ever since. The event takes place annually on the first Sunday of October and is held on the 1700 Block of South 9th Street. It is no charge and open to the public and community.
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Rev. Nick Martorano, pastor of the church, has strived to make it a very special celebration for South Philadelphia. He said, “We wanted to create an opportunity for our entire community, not just our parishioners, to come together and celebrate one of the many diverse cultures that make our neighborhood so great.”
Because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the day, this festival has indeed come to hold a special place in the hearts of all the local people and out of town visitors as well.
Thousands of people will line the streets of South Philadelphia, including East Passyunk Avenue, for this annual tradition! Keeping with the authentic nature of this occasion, the day begins with a procession at 12:00 Noon honoring some of the iconic saints of the Catholic church who are admired by the faithful and viewed as shining role models. The statues are carried through the street accompanied by the renowned Verdi Band playing traditional Italian marches.
Following the procession, the festival gets underway with its now famous variety of ethnic food delicacies, fine musical entertainment, rides and games for kids, and more.
The festival features an array of food from Italian restaurants around the region, offering a tantalizing showcase of Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The festival also includes live music and wine tastings, making it a feast for all the senses. Food vendors will include The Kitchen Consigliere, Termini Bros Bakery, Del Buono Bakery and others.
Food choices will include authentic Italian delicacies such as Arancini, Broccoli Rabe, Eggplant Rollatta, Escarole and Beans, Meatball Sandwiches, Porchetta Sandwiches, Pizza, Sausage and Peppers, Italian Seafood and Rice, Tripe, a Pasta Station, Italian Cakes and Desserts. Plus Chicken Fingers, Roast Beef Sandwiches, Wine, Beer and Cordials.
Entertainment Lineup:
All Day
DJ Spanky Brown
Entertaining DJ Spanky will host the proceedings and spin throughout the day.
1:00pm
Matthew Maisano
Known for their “sonorous baritone” (Broad Street Review) and “commanding stage presence,” (Miami Herald) Philadelphia native Matthew Maisano enjoys performing a diverse vocal repertoire ranging from classical and opera to musical theatre, American standards, pop, and beyond. Matthew joined Portland Opera for the 2024-2025 season as one of five resident artists and has appeared as a soloist in various concerts, recitals, and a fully staged operas across the country.
1:30pm
The Vivaci Dancers
This captivating dance troupe demonstrates fascinating traditional steps and invites audience members to join the fun.
2:00pm
“That’s Amore: The Great Italian-American Songbook”
New York’s wonderful Jenna Esposito graces the stage with some of your favorite selections, joined by Jenna Esposito, Steve Ritrovato’s sounds of Sinatra and the fine musicians of the City Rhythm Orchestra.
3:30pm
Nick Desiderio
Philly’s finest accordion maestro is a crowd favorite every year.
4:30pm
Quaker City String Band
2023’s First Place String Band will deliver their amazingly rich sound and have everyone strutting on 9th Street
5:00pm
Special Guest Performance: The New York Tenors
Andy Cooney, Daniel Rodriguez, Christopher Macchio – Internationally acclaimed voices that will touch your heart!
Andy Cooney christened by the New York Times as “Irish America’s Favorite Son”, has been taking the Irish-American music scene by storm for the last 20 years. Andy’s unique tenor voice has been heard in concert halls internationally, including hallmark venues ranging from Dublin’s National Concert Hall to sold-out performances in New York’s iconic Carnegie Hall. Cooney’s show credits also include “American Voices” placing him on stage with Grammy Award winners, legendary Larry Gatlin and the ever-popular Crystal Gayle in Performing Arts Centers and Concert Halls throughout the U.S. Standing at the heart of The New York Tenors, presents new and exciting ways to experience the artistry of this versatile performer.
Daniel Rodriguez first captured the attention of Americans everywhere during some of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. He was the New York City police officer whose amazing voice soothed our grief in the days following September 11th. Daniel’s career highlights include performing with Boston Pops Orchestra and debuting before a worldwide audience at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Other multimedia appearances include, ESPN broadcasts, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. Daniel Rodriguez is a champion for many charities and continues to inspire, stir and embrace his listeners through his stirring recordings and memorable concert performances.
Christopher Macchio is a gifted performer with a voice of exceptional power and beauty. A classically trained tenor from the Manhattan School of Music, this NY native has been wowing audiences by combining his golden-era sound with an engaging stage presence that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. Macchio’s growing reputation has brought him to sold-out theaters and events in the U.S. and Europe. His tenor voice has been featured in NYC’s Opera Nova Company. With television appearances on NBC, PBS, and ABC’s Red Carpet Stage at New York’s 5th Avenue Columbus Day Parade, this rising star is entertaining and capturing the imagination of audiences everywhere.
6:00pm
DJ Bob Kelly
Local Philabrity and very popular DJ who will brighten up of the street.
7:00pm
City Rhythm “Sound of Philadelphia Dance Party”. These electrifying horns and singers will present party music from “TSOP” and more.
For more information please visit our website at www dot stnicksitalianfestival dot com or social media pages.