Festa Italiana is back to celebrate all things Italian this August bank holiday

Festa Italiana, the free-to-enter weekend-long festival celebrating Italian food, drink and culture will return to Festival Piazza, Cathedral Gardens in Manchester city centre on bank holiday weekend, 27th – 29th August 2021.

The event, now in its fourth year after a COVID-enforced break, will see some firm Festa fan faves return alongside some exciting debuts and brand-new features.

This year the ever-growing and varied programme will include workshops, demonstrations, book signings and banquets from top class chefs such as Aldo Zilli, Giancarlo Caldesi, Gennaro Contaldo, and, Festa founder, Salvi’s owner Maurizio Cecco.

Maurizio’s 12-year-old daughter, Sienna Cecco, a talented chef, with her own YouTube channel and TV appearances under her belt, who has been providing cooking tutorials for families during lockdown on Facebook Live, will be joining the party and leading free kids cooking classes throughout.

Carmela Sereno Hayes, the hugely popular pastaia (specialist pasta maker) and author, will also be making a welcome return to Festa Italiana and running her much talked about pasta workshops all weekend long.

Salvi’s Pop-Up Deli will be a Festa fixture selling the very best in authentic Italian produce from start to finish and will be complemented by street food from some of Manchester’s finest vendors and restauranteurs, as well as live musicians providing a fitting sunny soundtrack.

Some of the leading Italian drinks brands will also be on hand with something that you know you’ll fancy from one of their well-stocked bars.

Peroni will be popping up their portable cinema complete with bean bags, deck chairs, popcorn, aperitivo boxes, Peroni on tap and themed classic movie screenings of Cinema Paradiso, Romeo and Juliet and La Dolce Vita. 

There will also be something for the culture fans with a very exciting photography exhibition, with details yet to be revealed.

If you’re coming with the kids, the Festa will provide a space and activities over the weekend to keep them entertained.

Festa Italiana will take place at Festival Piazza, Cathedral Gardens on 27th – 29th August 2021. For more info visit festaitalianauk.com.