La Festa Italiana Transforms Scranton’s Courthouse Square into an Italian Piazza Every Labor Day Weekend
Celebrate NEPA’s rich Italian heritage this Labor Day Weekend at La Festa Italiana. Every year, the popular, four-day summer festival fills Courthouse Square in Scranton with live music, arts & crafts vendors and, of course all that delicious Italian food. Since 1976, this beloved event has been a staple of the Electric City’s cultural calendar. Today, La Festa has grown into one of NEPA’s largest festivals welcoming close to 150,000 visitors each year.
Nearly 70 vendors line the square, serving homemade Italian favorites like pasta, sausage & peppers, pizza, cannoli and more. You’ll also find dozens of vendors featuring artisan goods and handcrafted treasures. Beyond the incredible food and craft vendors, the festival also features live music and family-friendly entertainment all weekend long. La Festa Italiana is the perfect way to experience downtown Scranton’s hospitality, history, and sense of community.
La Festa Italiana starts on Friday, August 29, and continues through Monday, September 1.
Visitors to La Festa Italiana are also encouraged to check out Railfest, a three-day celebration of railroading heritage in NEPA at Steamtown National Historic Site. A complimentary shuttle will carry visitors between events all weekend.
Undoubtedly, food is the star of La Festa Italiana. Look out for classics like pasta, porchetta, sausage & peppers, pizza and so much more. You’ll also find NEPA festival staples like pierogi and potato pancakes. Just be sure to save room for sweets like cannoli.
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Sign up for the Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race on Saturday, August 30. The popular 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, in its 13th year, honors the memory of Capt. Minicozzi, a beloved public figure in Scranton. It also benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA and scholarships for students at West Scranton High School. Register for the race by Monday, August 25.
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Alongside all of the incredible food stalls, La Festa Italiana also features dozens of local vendors selling unique arts & crafts and all manner of items regarding Italian heritage and culture. You’ll also find plenty of tents highlighting local organizations and event sponsors.
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Check out vintage European and Italian sports cars, Vespas and motorcycles at the La Festa Italiana Car Show on Washington Ave. The show runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 30. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. All entries must be pre-registered.
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Enjoy 4 days of live music featuring everything from oldies and Rat Pack classics to rock music and popular tribute acts. The entertainment schedule also features local dance groups, the Scranton Civic Ballet Company, traveling jugglers and magicians and so much more.
Learn MoreLive Entertainment Schedule:
Friday, August 29
Alfredo’s Main Stage
5:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies
5;30 pm – The Exact Change Band
7:00 pm – Scranton Civic Ballet Company
8:00 pm – Picture Perfect Band
Wayne Bank Stage (at La Festa’s Caffe – Adams Ave.)
5:00 pm – Meet Me on Marcie
7:00 pm – Big King Moose
Saturday, August 30
Alfredo’s Main Stage
12:00 pm – Andrea Amoroso
1:30 pm – 5-Star Dance Academy
2:00 pm – The Luongo Brothers w/Mike Lanza
4:00 pm – Old Friends
5:30 pm – Arts in Movement Dance
6:00 pm – The Cameos
8:00 pm – Lorenzo Pugliese (Frankie Valli Tribute)
8:30 pm – A Billy Joel Tribute
Wayne Bank Stage (at La Festa’s Caffe – Adams Ave.)
12:00 pm – Corey Kizer
2:00 pm – Fuzzy Park Band
4:30 pm – Joe Baress
7:00 pm – Andrea Amoroso
Sunday, August 31
Alfredo’s Main Stage
12:00 pm – Andrea Amoroso
1:30 pm – Rob Smith (Juggler)
2:00 pm – The Untouchables Band
3:30 pm – Lynette’s Twirlerettes
4:00 pm – Nikki Rasmus (Connie Francis Tribute)
5:00 pm – T.J. Capobianco from The Met
5:30 pm – Ballet Theatre of Scranton
6:00 pm – Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Tribute Show
8:30 pm – Daddy-O and the Sax Maniacs
Wayne Bank Stage (at La Festa’s Caffe – Adams Ave.)
12:00 pm – Tony Vergnetti
2:30 pm – Janice Gambo-Chesna
4:30 pm – Massimo Brutto
7:00 pm – Mike and Billy
Monday, September 1
Alfredo’s Main Stage
12:00 pm – The Gene Dempsey Orchestra
1:30 pm – Al Grout (juggler/Magician)
2:00 pm – Nino & Mike
3:30 pm – Al Grout (juggler/Magician)
4:00 pm – Frank Gervasi & Toby Naro
5:30 pm – Popstar Drive (Premier Dance Band)
Wayne Bank Stage (at La Festa’s Caffe – Adams Ave.)
12:00 pm – The Wanabees
2:30 pm – East Coast
Article updated from its original version published on 8/26/2019.
La Festa Italiana
