Little Italy's Feast Of San Gennaro: What You Need To Know

LITTLE ITALY, NY — Little Italy's streets will come to life as visitors to the historic neighborhood come to celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro.

The feast will celebrate the life of San Gennaro, who was a bishop of Benevento, Italy more than 1,500 years ago.

With plenty of good food and music, the 93rd annual Little Italy festivities begin Thursday.

Here's what you need to know:

When?

September 12 to September 22

Where?

Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets
Hester Street between Baxter and Centre streets
Grand Street between Baxter Street and Centre Market Place

What's the history behind the feast?

In the early 1900s, immigrants from Naples, Italy continued their Italian tradition of hosting a one-day street festival for San Gennaro beginning in 1926.

San Gennaro, or Saint Januarius, was the Bishop of Benevento, Italy. During Emperor Diocletian's persecution, it is believed he died a martyr in 305 AD after being tortured and beheaded. His body is preserved in Naples, alongside a vial of his blood that is believed to liquify twice a year.

The tradition continues today in New York City with an 11-day event throughout several blocks of Little Italy.

What's to eat?

All the Italian food you can imagine — cannolis, calzones, meatballs, sausage and peppers and more.

There's also some eating contests — and a vocal competition — slated for the week at Grand and Mott streets:

Sept. 13, 2 p.m.: 22nd Annual Cannoli Eating Competition

Sept. 18, 1 p.m.: 1st Annual Zeppole Eating Competition

Sept. 21, 1 p.m.: 4th Annual Meatball Eating Competition, in memory of Johnny 'Cha Cha'

Sept. 21, 2 p.m.: Little Italy Vocal Competition

To sign up for any of the competitions, call 212-764-6330.

Music is scheduled too.

Sept. 16, 7 p.m.: 15th Annual Enrico Caruso Opera Night

Sept. 22, 2 p.m.: Neopolitan Concert

When is the Grand Procession?

For starters, Msgr. David Cassato will oversee the blessing of the stands Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. along Mulberry Street.

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m., floats, bands, and the Grand Marshall will lead the Grand Procession through the streets carrying the statue of San Gennaro. Some bands include the Red Mike Festival Band and the Giglio Band.

There will be a high mass celebrating the Patron Saint of Naples at 113 Baxter St. followed by another religious procession Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

Who's the Grand Marshall?

Steve Schirripa, actor and one-time "Sopranos" star

The actor comes after Italian-American actors Tony Danza and Chazz Palminteri were honored in past festivals, the New York Daily News reported. Schirripa wrote on Twitter he is "Honored And Very Proud" to be the Grand Marshall.

What else?

Host Joe Causi will host a live radio broadcast on Sept. 14, 7 to 10 p.m.

A blood drive at the New York Blood Center, 268 Mulberry St., is slated for Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Here's the full calendar.

For more information, check out the organizers' website.

Ok guys here’s the 2019 official San Gennaro retro poster please tag 5 friends to help us get the info out Thanks #nyc #festival #italianfood #newyorkcity #mulberrystreet #littleitaly #sangennaronyc #cannoli #gelato #lasangna #pizza #riceballs #napoli #fun #streetfair pic.twitter.com/63gxmE2af5
— The Feast Of San Gennaro NYC (@SanGennaroNYC) August 26, 2019