Carlton to come alive for the Melbourne Italian Festa

The event will take place from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm in Carlton’s Piazza Italia/Argyle Square.

Lygon Street will be closed to traffic between Queensberry Street and Grattan Street throughout the event.

With support from CO.AS.IT. as its major partner, the 2022 Autumn Edition continues the tradition of the annual festival, which is in its 44^th year.

Working alongside its partners – the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in Melbourne, the Italian Consulate of Melbourne, the Italian Institute of Culture (IIC), CO.AS.IT and its Museo Italiano – the festival is committed to reviving Lygon Street and maintaining its Italian heritage.

“Once again, CO.AS.IT. is proud to be part of the Melbourne Italian Festa,” CEO Marco Fedi said.

“This year, too, we bring to the Festa a social and cultural contribution that carries our name and logo: it is our contribution to the return of Lygon Street to the vibrant life for which we know and love it.

“Since its establishment in 1968, CO.AS.IT. has provided services for the Italo-Australian community.

“CO.AS.IT. maintains a strong presence in Carlton through its aged care and education services and through the work of its Italian Historical Society and Museo Italiano.

“CO.AS.IT.’s history is interconnected with the history of the successful integration of the Italian community in Australia. 

“Lygon Street in Carlton is the centre of the universe during the Melbourne Italian Festa. 

“The Festa sums up our love and our hopes for a future that we, as a community, are building together.”

Festivalgoers can visit CO.AS.IT.’s stand from 10:00 am to learn more about its fantastic programs, resources and services, including Italian language courses, cultural programs, aged care services, the Italian Historical Society and the Museo Italiano.

For the families, CO.AS.IT. will be offering face painting, while magician Mago De Masi will wow the public in the afternoon.

By subscribing to CO.AS.IT.’s mailing list, you can go in the draw to win one of two free Italian courses, or one of five available copies of the book Per l’Australia: The Story of Italian Migration.

Winners will be announced in the days following the festival.

Sunday’s event will be a fun-filled, jam-packed day of live entertainment, with stage performances and roving entertainment.

Artists set to grace the stage include Lorenzo Iannotti, Mark Pellegrini, Siesta Cartel and DJ Stefano Marcianò.

It wouldn’t be the Melbourne Italian Festa without a spread of Italian fare.

Festivalgoers will be able to savour the flavours and aromas of pizza, pasta, cannoli, prosciutto, arancini, lasagna, panzerotti, gelato, and – of course – top-quality coffee.

These culinary delights can be enjoyed with an authentic Italian drink, including Birra Moretti, Prosecco DOC, Spritz and San Pellegrino products.

Eat, laugh, get involved and don’t forget to take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #melbourneitalianfesta.

A message from Lord Mayor Sally Capp

Melbourne is coming back to life and we are celebrating our culture and communities with vigour.

The City of Melbourne is delighted to support the Melbourne Italian Festa, a much-loved community festival that fills our streets with entertainment and family fun.

Carlton, with Lygon Street at its heart, is one of our iconic destinations.

The Italian influence over many generations gives our city such character and the festa is an exuberant celebration of a diverse and welcoming Melbourne.

Whose perfect day doesn’t include panini, cannoli and canzoni?

I’m thrilled we can once more invite people back to the city to enjoy events in a COVID-safe way.

I congratulate the organisers and wish all involved a marvellous Melbourne day.

A message from Consul General of Italy in Melbourne Hanna Pappalardo

Melbourne is the biggest Italian city outside of America and Europe.

Almost half a million people with Italian background live in this wonderful multicultural social fabric, which has been shaped by the many Italians who have moved here over the years.

The Melbourne Italian Festa is about celebrating Italy and its brand, which stands for passion and style, heritage and diversity, innovation and creativity, curiosity and dedication, bravery and imagination, expertise and precision.

Italy stands for incredible variety and an unrivalled blend of art, people and landscapes.

From the Northern Alps to Sicily’s mountainous south, Italy’s rugged beauty radiates from every corner of the country.

A fascinating mix of geography, culture and history, Italy has a charm few can resist.

Italy never slows down and our enthusiasm empowers us to deliver great results.

Italy is also a place that enables unique intellectual and cultural exchanges, great ideas and creativity, where the role of women is simply quintessential.

The Melbourne Italian Festa will bring you a glimpse of all of this.

Enjoy this “Little Italy” experience and if it is not enough for you, you will simply have to book a great holiday in Italy.

Let’s come together and “VIVERE ALL’ITALIANA!”.

A message from ICCI Melbourne President Luca Scribani Rossi

The Melbourne Italian Festa is on our doorstep once again!

Although another difficult year prevented us from holding the event in November as per tradition, the 2022 Autumn Edition promises to be a great success.

Together with the festival’s traditional partners, such as the Victorian State Government, City of Melbourne and CO.AS.IT, ICCI Melbourne is committed to organising an event full of surprises and cultural wonders to celebrate the Italian spirit.

We are committed to promoting the Italian culture in Melbourne, which is home to several hundreds of thousands of Italians who have contributed to establishing and maintaining a strong bond with Italy and all its traditions.

Italy is not just food, wine, cars and fashion; it is much more.

The Melbourne Italian Festa is an event not to be missed.

I hope to see you as always in Piazza Italia on Sunday!