St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival

The St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival returns to the 1700 Block of South 9th Street in South Philly on the first Sunday of October, from 12 PM to 8 PM. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the whole thing moves to the following Sunday. It's a neighborhood tradition that's been running for decades, and this year it's bringing back the staples: porchetta, pasta, cannoli, and a performance by The New York Tenors.

There's a bit of history behind it. The parish revived the festival in 1987 for its 75th anniversary, drawing on the Italian festivals that had been held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine from its founding in 1912 through the 1960s. It's still a religious celebration at its core, rooted in the faith of the early Italian immigrants who settled the area, and the parish frames it around the motto 'Faith, Family and Tradition.'

The day starts with a morning Mass, followed by a neighborhood procession carrying statues of Catholic saints through the streets. From there it opens up into the festival itself, with food, drinks, games, and shopping. The whole thing wraps up with raffles. If you're coming for the food, the porchetta, pasta, and cannoli are the main draws, and The New York Tenors provide the music.

Admission is free, though you'll need tickets for the food, beverages, games, and shopping—ticket booths sell them at $1.00 each. Parking can be a bit tight, with limited off-street spots around the festival area, but there's free parking at Neumann-Goretti High School at 10th and Moore Streets. The festival runs from 12 PM to 8 PM on the first Sunday of October, with the rain date on the following Sunday.