Manchester’s annual Italian festival returns this weekend

The UK’s biggest Italian festival returns to Manchester this weekend, bringing with it a delicious array of delicious food and drink inspired by one of the world’s most famous cuisines.

Running from Fri 23 Aug – Sun 25 Aug, Festa Italiana, now in its 7th edition, unites Manchester’s Italian community and transforms Cathedral Gardens into a bustling festival piazza.

The brainchild of Neapolitan chef and founder of Salvi’s, Maurizio Cecco, this year’s festival features an array of new additions including a spectacular opening ceremony by Fornovo Taro flag wavers Ducato di Parma, a piccolo mercato (mini market) selling authentic Italian and local produce, a volcanic lemonade experience straight from Naples, and cooking class with a wild party twist Viva la Cucina.

Maurizio says: “You know we don’t stop moving, don’t you?! This is Manchester and we like to keep things fresh. We’ve ripped up the rule book this year and we’re bringing you all kinds of new experiences as part of the massive Festa Italiana programme.

“Naples is where I am from but Manchester is my home and it is my mission to keep evolving and surprising my people here with beautiful secrets and hidden gems from Italy. The Festa is going from strength to strength and we want it to feel like a little holiday right on your doorstep, so come along and let us help you take a break from the real world.”

Elsewhere, there will be live cooking masterclasses hosted by Gennaro Contaldo (Saturday Kitchen, Two Greedy Italians, Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast), Great British Bake Off 2021 winner, author, and proud Britalian, Giuseppe Dell’Anno, Sardinian chef and social media legend Francesco Mattana (head teaching chef at Jamie Oliver’s Cookery School plus many more), as well as Maurizio himself who will be bringing back his big pan to please the crowds following its popular debut last year.

Italian beers will be available courtesy of Birrificio Angelo Poretti, Peroni and Via Roma, wine will be poured by Salvo, while Ferrarelle will be providing premium sparkling water. The spritz bar will also return, serving a selection of authentic Italian aperativi.

The festival site is completely free to enter. You can find more information about everything that will be going on here.