Feast Of San Gennaro 2022: Popular Downtown Festival Kicks Off

LOWER MANHATTAN, NY — The popular annual Feast of San Gennaro Festival kicked off Thursday in Lower Manhattan's Little Italy.

The festival on Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets will take place until Sept. 25, and the Grand Procession and parade will happen Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Grand Procession will feature floats, celebrities, a gondola, the festival band, the statue of San Gennaro and antique cars. Mayor Eric Adams will serve as the Hon. Grand Marshall for the event, along with former NASA astronaut Michael J. Massimino.

Other events during the week include cannoli, pizza, meatball, and zeppole eating contests, an opera night, and a high mass celebrating the patron Saint of Naples.

The Feast of San Genarro Festival was started in 1926 by a group of Italian immigrants in New York City who decided to have a one-day block party for the patron saint and protector of Naples — Saint Gennaro.

The festival eventually evolved into an 11-day event, which stretches throughout the eleven blocks of Little Italy.

"For generations this feast has always been an important part of our neighborhood not only representing the Saint Himself but also representing our ancestors, our culture and our traditions," reads a section on the Festival of San Gennaro's website.