Our Guide to the Feast of San Gennaro 2019
Every Year, the San Gennaro Festival comes to Little Italy (right next to JP Linguistics), bringing out the best Italian food in Little Italy along its scenic ferris Wheel, and all the best Italian Culture New Yorkers can ask for! But what is San Gennaro exactly and what should you do to celebrate?
Mulberry Street is in Love for San Gennaro
What is San Gennaro?
San Gennaro is an Italian-American Festival which started in September 1926 by a group of Italian immigrants from Naples who gathered in New York, on Mulberry street and wanted to continue the celebration of Saint Januarius, the Patron Saint of Naples.
The tradition would have people gather and bring donations that they would pin on streamers that were attached to a representation of the Saint. The money was to be distributed to the poor of the neighborhood.
When is San Gennaro in NYC?
This Festival is held in September, around the 19th of September (official date in the calendar). In 2019, the Festival is from September 12th to September 22nd and start every evening around 7:30pm.
Where is the Festival in NYC?
The Feast of San Gennaro is held in Little Italy, mainly on Mulberry Street, but visible on Grand Street as well.
What can I do for San Gennaro?
Our Italian food recommendations:
M’O Gelato: Our favorite stop in the summer for Gelato.
Caffè Palermo: The Cannoli King of Little Italy with Cannolis that are world famous. It is worth the detour!
Margherita: If you have had pizza, and not Neapolitan Pizza, this is your go to place.
Our recommendation for the festival:
We also recommend for you to take time to watch to the Grand Procession which takes place on the last Saturday of the Festival.
This year, it should take place on September 21st after mass, around 2pm.
Little Italy ready for the 2019 San Gennaro Feast
Whether you you love Italian food or not, San Gennaro is a time that marks the beginning of Fall down in Nolita/SoHo/Little Italy. It is the time where we all party one last time to the sound of Italian music and the taste of wonderful Gelato!
We hope you’ve enjoyed Our Guide to the Feast of San Gennaro! If you are looking to check out the festival this Fall and learn Italian for your next trip to Naples, We can help make the process easier with our native instructors and culturally immersive group classes! Click below to learn more.