The Annual St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival is the first Sunday of October each year. It is held on the 1700 Block of South 9th Street.
Presented annually since 1987, St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish has been dedicated to keeping alive the spirit and faith of the early Italian immigrants.
This year’s festival is dedicated to Carmella Joyce & Anthony DiSpigno
Our festival features an array of food from Italian restaurants around the region, offering a tantalizing showcase of Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The festival also includes live music and wine tastings, making it a feast for all the senses.
The event is always the first Sunday in October.
The event is free with the exception of food, beverages, games & shopping.
We have ticket booths set up throughout the festival area where you can purchase tickets for food, beverages, & rides. Ticket prices are $1.00 for 1 ticket.
Yes, the church is open for all morning Masses.
We pride ourselves on providing a fresh and exciting entertainment experience every year. While we consistently seek out new performers to bring a variety of acts and talents, some of our most beloved entertainers do make recurring appearances. This blend of new and familiar acts ensures that each year offers a unique and memorable experience for our guests.
Absolutely! Our festival is filled with a variety of children-friendly attractions. Your kids can enjoy a range of exciting rides suited for different ages, interactive games that are both fun and educational, and creative activities like face painting, where they can choose from a plethora of designs. We also have unique attractions like Sandy Candy and Sand Art, which offer a delightful and hands-on experience. These activities are designed to keep your children entertained and engaged throughout the day.
In the event of bad weather, the event will be held on the following Sunday. We encourage you to follow our social media pages for updates!
Yes seating is located in front of the stage and tables and chairs are located near the food court.
Yes, there is limited off street parking around the festival. The parking lot at Neumann-Goretti high school located at 10th & Moore Sts is also open for free parking with limited spaces. Another option would be to park at Front & Morris Sts under I-95 and take the Septa Route 29 bus to 9th.
We kindly request that guests refrain from bringing their own food and beverages. This festival showcases some of the finest Italian entertainment at no charge, and your support through purchasing food and beverages from the church is greatly appreciated. This not only helps cover the expenses of the event but also gives you a taste of authentic Italian cuisine. Your cooperation and support in this regard play a vital role in making the event successful and sustainable for years to come.
Yes, you can donate your time as a volunteer and you can also make a monetary donation to help with expenses.
Yes, everyone is welcome and encouraged to be a part of the procession.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival is proud to have one of our own, Frank Quinn, representing our parish in Italy at the Eternal City Tip-Off! 🇮🇹🏀
Frank is a proud graduate of our parish school, St. Anthony of Padua, a dedicated lector at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, and an active member of our Italian Festival Committee.
Currently a sophomore at Villanova University, Frank is traveling with the Villanova Band to support the Wildcats as they take part in tomorrow's Eternal City Tip-Off game in Rome.
Adding to this unforgettable experience, Frank was blessed today to attend an audience with Pope Leo and participate in Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, a truly special moment of faith and fellowship.
We extend our best wishes to Villanova University, its student-athletes, band members, coaches, alumni, and all those traveling abroad for a successful and memorable trip. Safe travels and good luck tomorrow!
Go Cats! And go Frank Quinn—continue making St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church proud! 💙🤍
#NovaNation #GoCats #VillanovaUniversity #StNicholasOfTolentine #Rome #EternalCityTipOff #ParishPride #VillanovaBand #CatholicPride #PhiladelphiaToRome 🇮🇹🙏💙🏀 ...
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🇮🇹 A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for this year’s St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival! 🍝✨
The weather may have changed our plans, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirit of our community. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and continued support as we moved the celebration indoors. Despite the rain, it was still a wonderful day filled with delicious food, lively entertainment, faith, family, and Italian tradition!
Fr. Nick and the Festival Committee are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, sponsored, cooked, served, and helped make the day such a success. We couldn’t have done it without you! ❤️🤍💚
📸 Share your festival memories with us! Post your photos and videos in the comments so we can relive the celebration together.
📅 And be sure to mark your calendar: next year’s St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2027. We can’t wait to celebrate with you again! ...
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Tomorrow is the day, and the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival is ON! 🇮🇹🎉
Because of the forecasted storms, this year’s festival will take place indoors in the gym at St. Anthony of Padua Regional Catholic School. Join us for a modified version of this beloved tradition featuring plenty of delicious Italian specialties, beverages, refreshments, and a full lineup of live entertainment.
📅 Sunday, October 11
⏰ 12:00–8:00 PM
📍 St. Anthony of Padua Regional Catholic School Gym
913 Pierce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
🎟️ Free admission
Parking may be limited because of the weather, so we have established a designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up area to make your visit easier.
Rain won’t stop this South Philly tradition! Bring your family, bring your friends, and most importantly, bring your appetite. Please share this update and help us spread the word. We’ll see you tomorrow! ❤️🤍💚 ...
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