Eating & Drinking

Manchester’s first Italian festival set to return for its second year

Festa Italiana Manchester, the city’s first festival of Italian food, drink and culture has announced that it will be returning for a second year in summer 2018 and plans to become an annual fixture on the city’s calendar

By Steven Pankhurst | 16 January 2018

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Festa Italiana Manchester is a free, weekend-long celebration of all things Italian.From 13th to 15th July, Manchester’s Italian community will once again transform Cathedral Gardens into ‘Little Italy’ creating a city centre oasis of ‘la dolce vita’. Inspired by the traditional festivals over in Italy, the Festa is all about the community coming together to socialise, enjoy beautiful food, delectable drinks and live music.

Following an incredible debut festival in 2017, which saw over 26,000 people descend on Cathedral Gardens, this year’s event is all set to be bigger and even better.

Maurizio Cecco, founder of Festa Italiana and proprietor of Salvi’s restaurants, comments:

“We have an amazing foundation this time on which to build.  Last year we were starting from scratch, we were creating something new, and we had no idea how popular the event was going to be. To see so many people come and enjoy our ‘Festa’ was staggering… and fantastic! This year we are back with SO much more for visitors to enjoy – from the live music to the number of producers involved, it’s going to be much bigger and even better –  we only just got started last year!” 

The 2018 event promises a more in-depth education around Italian food and culture with hands-on style masterclasses. Plus there’ll be more for the kids via the “Bambini Cucina” – a children’s food festival all of its own.

As well as masterclasses, chef demonstrations, producer’s stalls and Italian street food, the 2018 Festival intends to host a number of unique banquets – a chance for lucky ticket holders to experience a unique Italian dining adventure right in the heart of the city centre.

The live music stage will also be ramped up with artists and musicians performing throughout the whole Festival period this time.here’ll be lots more Italian brands, producers, restaurants and bars involved too – think pizza to prosecco and everything in between… including Festival sweethearts, the Italian Nonnas!

The Festival Piazza will be free to attend, whilst other events and activity will be taking place at venues across the city.

Cathedral Gardens, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3BG
www.festaitalianauk.com.