Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Little Italy's San Gennaro festival kicks off Thursday: Here's what to know
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 12, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 12, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
One of New York City’s best known festivals is back.
Starting Thursday evening, the Feast of San Gennaro will be serving up the best of Manhattan’s Little Italy – including favorite Italian dishes, cultural attractions, live entertainment and religious processions.
The 11-day street festival started 98 years ago as a humble, one-day affair. It was organized by immigrants from Naples who wanted to honor their patron Saint Gennaro, whom Catholics believe died a martyr in 305 A.D. amid religious persecution spearheaded by Roman Emperor Diocletian.
The party has expanded considerably since then, stretching far beyond Mulberry Street – where many of the Neapolitans first settled in New York – and encompassing 11 blocks of the Little Italy neighborhood.
Thursday kicks off the festival with the blessing of the vendors, and religious ceremonies occur throughout the 11 days. But the event is famous for something many people feel is equally sacred: the food.
Zeppoles, cannolis, Italian sausages, meatballs and more abound. It is, after all, a feast.
It’s best to come hungry and ready to brave the boisterous crowds: the tradition attracts close to a million people each year, according to organizers.
The famous Grand Procession is on Saturday the 14th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A full list of events and performances can be found here.
The Grand Marshall for this year’s event is Chef Anne Burrell, known for hosting Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America.
Many of Little Italy’s main streets will remain closed throughout much of the week, including parts of Mulberry Street, Grand Street and Hester Street. A full list of closures can be found at the New York City Department of Transportation website.
Tagged
food
traffic
san gennaro
culture
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .