Festa Italiana at Cathedral Gardens
Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Festa Italiana Manchester is the country’s biggest festival that celebrates Italian food, drink, and culture. Now in its seventh year, it’s one of Manchester’s most popular events with over 40,000 visitors flocking to last year’s superb – and sunny – fun-packed event.
It all takes place across Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, filling Cathedral Gardens with Italian producers, chefs, food, drink and music.
Best of all, it’s free, and you can expect the UK’s finest Italian food traders, an array of high-quality Italian drinks, a banquet hosted by celebrity Italian chefs, cooking demos, family-friendly activities and more.
This year, there’ll be a brand-new festival structure, a vibrant market, and a fresh music line-up, as well as the much-anticipated return of the Festa Italiana Della Donna (Women’s Day) following its hugely popular debut in 2023.
There’s a huge line-up of events and masterclasses to enjoy too (some are paid), alongside the pop-up bars and street food stalls. You can expect to sample the wares of locally-famed businesses such as hosts Salvi’s and many more.
It’s a passion project of Salvi’s owner, businessman and podcaster, Maurizio Cecco, who aims to once again gather the city’s Italian community for a party like no other – a true staple in Manchester’s summer calendar.
What to expect?
Viva la Cucina, a cooking class with a difference. Taking place on Saturday 24th August at 7pm, Viva la Cucina will give you the chance to learn from the best in the business as a line-up of renowned, charismatic celebrity chefs lead you through a carefully curated, delicious chaos. Book your tickets to Viva la Cucina here.
A stunning musical parade will open the Festa on Friday, paying homage to the inception of the festival, which traces its roots to the very first Salvi’s venue in the Corn Exchange building.
The procession, including 12 flag bearers, will then head to Cathedral Gardens where food vendors, Festa-favourites and exciting new additions to la famiglia (the family), will welcome visitors for three days of authentic Italian flavours and experiences.
The sun-drenched corners of Italy will gather into a bustling market, inspired by the mercati, as traders from Sicily, Naples, and more offer hand-made Italian products, created with decades of generational knowledge and craftsmanship.
Festa Italiana Della Donna, a special day dedicated to the outstanding female chefs, will return with pastaia Carmela Sereno Hayes (Carmela’s Kitchen) and chef Sofia Gallo (Masterchef UK 2021 quarter finalist), alongside nonna Anna, the much-loved Salvi’s pasta-making expert.
Italian cooking legend, Gennaro Contaldo (Saturday Kitchen, Two Greedy Italians, Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast) and star baker Giuseppe Dell’anno (Great British Bake Off 2021 winner) will also make a starry return, delivering mind-blowing talent, delectable food and must-know tips and tricks to the masses.
Festa Italiana creator Maurizio, says: “I’m thrilled to see how our Festa has grown over the years, and this one is going to be grande, an unmissable Italian party with lots of brand-new things to eat, drink, see and do.
