Featured image credit: loving-newyork.com
If you are considering joining the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, New York, you should join the Grand Procession on the last Saturday of the September festival to be part of the spirit of the feast.
Don’t forget the delicious Italian food you will taste, but that is not all there is to this celebration. We take a closer look at what this festival is about and what you can expect if you join the Feast of San Gennaro.
Read on and find out whether you should join and participate in all it offers.
What Is the Feast of San Gennaro All About?
The San Gennaro festival, which takes place once a year in Mulberry street, New York, is a religious street festival.
This feast honors the life and death of the patron saint of Naples and Little Italy and is currently the longest fest in the city.
The Feast of San Gennaro started in 1926 and lasted a full day, but it grew into a huge celebration through the years.
The San Gennaro feast is part of Italian culture and highlights the grand street procession starting at the Church of the Most Precious Blood.
Carrying the statue of San Gennaro from its permanent place through the streets of Little Italy will be a great attraction. At this annual feast, you can watch colorful parades and more; these activities will last for ten days.
Source: untappedcities.com
With so many things to do, there is much more to expect. Let’s take a look at the festivities you can find at the festival:
Italian Food
A variety of food is available at the San Gennaro feast in lower Manhattan. It is not just the food but also the eating contests that go with these traditional Italian dishes.
Zeppole
This deep-fried dough ball is covered with fine sugar and will become your favorite snack at the festival. This is just one of the many sweet Italian treats from Little Italy you will enjoy.
Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches
Coming lunchtime, you should not miss out on this classic Italian dish in the form of a sausage sandwich covered with peppers and onions. But this is only one of the very delicious cuisines from Italy you will find at the feast.
Cannoli
Cannoli… Ah, sweet cannoli. This delicious dessert consists of small pastry tubes that are deep fried and then filled with a cream (usually ricotta cheese that has been sweetened).
The cannoli eating contest is a favorite among those attending this feast in September. It would be best if you put this on your list of things you want to do during the feast because it is top quality.
Where Else Can You Find This Feast?
New York is not the only place in the country where the San Gennaro feast is held in September.
Following is a list of the places in America where the patron Saint San Gennaro is honored in a candlelit procession:
Source: orderisda.org
Mulberry Street, Manhattan, New York
This is the very first feast where San Gennaro is honored. You will find traditional live music from Italian performers and much more. This is a great place to be in the city during this festival.
Las Vegas Valley, Nevada
Tony Sacca started this feast of traditional Italian cuisine and carnival rides in a small park in 1986, but like all the others, this one became very popular.
This festival became so popular that it is held twice a year in Spring and Fall.
Belmar, New Jersey
The feast of San Gennaro of the Jersey Shores started in 2012 to highlight the positive contributions of Italian Americans. It is a feast to celebrate Italian Americans and their heritage, including their tasty cuisine.
Los Angeles
This festival was founded in 2002 and is now a major event that is held annually in Hollywood. This annual feast is also held with traditional Italian cuisine, games, and live music.
Georgetown, WA
When they first arrived in Seattle, the Italian community settled here and became a major center for the San Gennaro feast celebrations.
In 2013, the feast was established and held in the second week of September and lasted for three days.
These days it is an annual festival with many great things to experience like traditional Italian music and cuisine.
Conclusion
The festival of San Gennaro has become a great time in many cities around the country, and anyone can join in.
The activities presented at this gathering will keep you talking about it months after visiting. Wherever you are, find out where the feast of San Gennaro will take place in your area and enjoy it!
Check out the list of where to eat in NYC below! With so many delicious options, you're sure to find a place that fits your taste.
- The Worst Times To Visit New York City - March 10, 2024
- Best Souvenirs To Buy in NYC - February 28, 2024
- Best Restaurants In New York For First Time Visitors - February 21, 2024