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The Annual Festa Italia in Monterey, CA, is back to bring Italian pride and amazing food to the coast! In 2026, Festa Italia is celebrating its 93rd anniversary. For nearly 10 decades, locals have come together to celebrate Italian-Sicilian heritage during what has grown to become the ultimate three-day festival in Monterey, CA. Running from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13 this year, the festival will wow attendees with live music, exceptional food, and the famous annual bocce tournament. Get ready to eat your heart out, fall in love with Sicilian lore, and kick off the fall festival season at this beloved event.
Why Does Monterey Have an Italian Festival?
Monterey's thriving Italian population today is owed to something that happened in the early 1900s. During the big cannery boom, local canneries recruited experienced Sicilian fishermen to help bolster the local sardine industry. It was actually the ingenuity of these recruited fishermen that helped Monterey to become the world's sardine capital through the 1940s. Monterey's 20-square-block neighborhood in Old Town called Spaghetti Hill was originally populated by Sicilian immigrants working in the local fishing industry.
What Is the Schedule for Festa Italia This Year?
The Annual Festa Italia in Monterey, CA, will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There's a whole lot of entertainment packed into the itinerary! Like every year, the highlight will be the big bocce tournament at the Custom House Plaza bocce courts.. Here's a rundown of the highlights:
- Authentic Italian cuisine like handmade pasta, calamari, eggplant Parmesan, steak and sausage sandwiches, cannoli, and Italian ices.
- Beer and wine for sale.
- Tarantella dance lessons.
- Cooking lessons from local Italian chefs.
- The traditional Blessing of the Fishing Fleet event is held during the opening ceremony.
- Cultural performances highlighting Italian and Sicilian traditions
- Sunday mass at San Carlos Cathedral with the crowning of the statue of Santa Rosalia.
- Live performances by Pasquale Esposito, Mike Marotta & the Italian All Stars, The Anthony Lane Band, Jimmy Rossi, Luca DePaolis, and The Lost and Found Band.
- Vendors
- Dancing under the stars on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Where Does Festa Italia Take Place in Monterey?
The festival takes place at Custom House Plaza in Monterey, CA. No admission ticket is needed to jump in and enjoy demonstrations and vendors at this free event. However, anyone signing up as a bocce team for the big tournament will need to register and pay an entrance fee in advance. The bocce participation fee includes breakfast and lunch for team members.
Planning Your Italian Experience in Monterey
While Monterey, CA, may be about 6,000 miles from Sicily, there's no denying that this little sliver of California is one of the best places to have an authentic Italian experience outside of Italy. With a heritage of Italian immigrants coming to Monterey dating back 100 years, it should come as no surprise that the area is home to many amazing restaurants offering fresh, authentic Italian cuisine ranging from seafood to handmade pasta. Whether you're coming for the festival or simply looking to get a taste during an ordinary visit, keep this rundown of the best Italian food and wine in Monterey handy!
