Southington Italian-American Festival

07/27/2026

The expenses associated with coordinating a weekend-long festa are astronomical - especially when you offer free entertainment, children's activities, and so much more. Please take a moment this week to thank our myriad sponsors and utilize their goods and services if possible. Grazie!

07/26/2026

TODAY at the Festa! Our Italian Mass starts at 10 am and is followed by our annual street procession with the Madonna della Strada. Free children's train rides run from 1 to 4 pm and face painting is offered 2 - 4 pm. Musical entertainment from Lisa Messina and John Micaizzi is 1 to 4:30. Be sure to purchase a festival raffle ticket - drawing is at 4:30. Everything takes place on Lower Center Street in downtown Southington! 🇮🇹

07/25/2026

TODAY at the Festival! Festival opens at 1 pm and kicks off with BINGO and the SCOPA Tournament. Also at 1 pm, free children's Italian arts and crafts with SoCCA's Art Van Go. Our musical entertainment begins on stage at 3 pm, and we have free children's face painting. Enjoy all the offerings on Lower Center Street in downtown Southington!

07/24/2026

Fireworks tonight at 9 pm. Best place to see them? At the festival, of course! Festival opens at 5 pm tonight! 🇮🇹

07/23/2026

Feel like shopping this weekend?! Be sure to visit our retailers in our Italian Marketplace!

07/22/2026

What's Cooking at the Festival?! Fried dough, gelato, Italian ice, sausage & pepper grinders, chompers, pasta fagiole, suffrite, Italian pastry, espresso and iced coffee, paninis, stuffed bread, calzones, porchetta sandwich, rice balls, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, meatball subs, fried calamari, caprese salad, braised beef, fried gnocchi, pizza, and more! Come hungry July 24-26...

07/20/2026

Did someone say BINGO?! We have it at the Southington Italian-American Festival on Saturday, July 25, from 1-3 pm. Be sure to join the fun!

07/18/2026

Downtown Southington is the place to be next weekend, July 24-26. See you there! 🇮🇹

07/16/2026

Be sure to check out the live entertainment throughout the festival weekend!

Friday, July 24:
5 – 7 pm – Marcello Sparagna
Marcello is a singer and musician. He performs as a local talent alongside other Italian and Italian-American artists.
7 – 10 pm – Biagio Benevenga
Born in Salerno Italy, Biagio came to the US when he was 2 and his family settled in New Jersey. His love of music started at a very young age listening to Italian music on the radio throughout the household. He started taking piano lessons and eventually started a Band called “The Vibrations,” which became successful throughout the tristate area and also toured Italy! Inspired by his love for remixing and performing, Biagio embarked on a solo project.
8 pm – “Le Sorelle” e Bambini e Pulcinella
“Le Sorelle” started their dance group in 2018 when they performed at the festival for the first time. They are members of “Sorelle d’Italia in America," an organization founded in 2010 to preserve the Italian heritage, culture and traditions. And you can’t miss Pulcinella! They have been performing at many festivals and events throughout New England, and this year they're featuring a children’s (bambini) dance group.
9 pm – Fireworks (raindate is Saturday, July 25)

Saturday, July 25:
3 – 4:30 pm – Piero Massaro e Amici
Piero is a singer and songwriter of Italian, American and Spanish melodies, especially Italian music from the 60s to today. He's originally from Italy and has been singing since he was 13. Piero is also a radio host of WNTY Radio Station in Southington.
4:30 – 7 pm
Vittorio DiCarlo & Ella Cristina von Helms
Vittorio is an Italian-American pop opera singer from Puglia, Italy. As a child, Vittorio was always passionate about singing and participated in many singing competitions in Italy. Vittorio moved to Connecticut in 2010, and in 2014 he once again pursued his passion of singing. Ella is a talented, versatile, and well-rounded performer. Her beauty, smile and gifted voice lights up the stage!
7 – 10 pm
Pane e Cioccolata Band with Angelo Coppola on the Accordion
Pane e Cioccolata Band is a TRIO-and Dj combination composed by Gino, the singer, Olimpio, the guitar player, and Angelo, the keyboardist and accordionist, along with DJ Mikey. The TRIO came together 20 years ago by founders GINO and Olimpio and was once a six-piece wedding band formed.
8 pm – “Le Sorelle” e Bambini e Pulcinella

Sunday, July 26:
1 – 4:30 pm
John Micalizzi & Lisa Messina
John Micalizzi is a professional vocalist / pianist who sings in three languages. He performs solo or with a band and has more than 25 years experience. Lisa is a professional singer and entertainer.

07/12/2026