Join us for a weekend of Italian food, fun, and culture!
The “Festa Italiana Halifax” delivers an experience of Italy that the entire family can enjoy – right here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Festa Italiana Dates 2026
Friday, September 11th, 6-10pm & Saturday, September 12th, 12-10pm
This is your opportunity to join us and experience HRM’s ‘Little Italy’ – two days filled with Italian food, culture, language and more food! The Italian Canadian Cultural Association opens its doors and offers a space for everyone in our community who wants to experience “La Bella Vita!” (The Good Life).
LOCATION: 2629 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS
Grazie Mille to our PRIMO Festa Sponsor ...
Mangia! Mangia! What’s Being Served
Food Options each day
GNOCCHI NIGHT!
Join us on Friday, September 11th, from 6-10pm to kick off the weekend with Gnocchi Night. Indulge in a plate of Gnocchi Pomodoro or Tricolori (3 – pesto, pomodoro, and formaggi). Desserts offered are cannoli, crostoli, crostata, and tiramisu.
TUTTI ITALIANO!
On Saturday, September 12th, from 12-10pm, immerse yourself in a full day of Italian culinary delights.
Our menu features lasagna, cannelloni filled with spinach and ricotta, gnocchi pomodoro, meatballs, penne pomodoro, pizza, sausage with polenta, arancini, salad, and hot off the BBQ sausages and arrosticini.
For those with a sweet tooth, we have an array of Italian desserts including cannoli, crostoli, crostata, and tiramisu.
THE BBQ HAPPENS BOTH DAYS!
Renato, Michael and the Cherubini team will be at the Barbeque ready to share homemade italian sausages and savoury arrosticini (Lamb Skewers barbequed to perfection! )
Explore, Speak, Play – The Italian Way
Dive deeper into Italian culture with a visit to our Italian Library, where you can talk to members about life and travel in Italy. Our language school teachers will be offering free Italian lessons, so you can “Parli Italiano!” (Speak Italian!). Meet our Cooking School Chefs, watch a demo of pasta making! Find out more about traveling to Italy.
Plus, there’s some fun for the kids with the “Andiamo a Pescare” (children’s fishing game) with prizes to be won and face painting with KC’s Facepainting! Learn to play a game of Bocce!
Take a break in the ICCA Espresso Bar to sit down and enjoy an espresso made from coffee supplied by our very own ICCA member and Corporate Sponsor, Federico from Espresso46!
Italian Food & Culture All Weekend!
WIN! All sorts of prizes!
Everyone entering the event gets a door prize ticket and a Family Passport Entry form!
Famillies/households will get a “Festa Passport” to get stamped as you visit various areas of the Festa. You can then enter our Passport draw to win one of 3 prizes.
We have a 50-50 draw happening both days.
The Festa Italiana Raffle offers 5 prizes with a total value over $2000!
(Note: The 50-50 and Raffle are cash only, so please bring some cash if you wish to buy tickets!)
Face Painting SAT 1-5pm and LIVE MUSIC with Frederic Mujica FRI 7-10pm
Wine Tasting with ICCA Member and Sommelier Craig Sampson
Book your tickets early for our Wine Tasting Sessions
Dates and Times are below, details to follow:
FRIDAY: 7:00pm
SATURDAY: 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm
What does it cost?
PRICES:
- Entry fee by donation; all proceeds to our Bursary for Students.
- ICCA Current Members use the Members Fast Pass Entry.
- Menu prices range from $5 to $18 for various items on the menu.
- We offer debit/credit/cash for Food tickets/Beverage sales.
- Cash only for 50-50 draw, Raffle Draw and the Kids Fishing game.
- Wine Tasting Sessions are by pre-purchase only. Visit here to buy your tickets – www.iccans.org/festawine
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER?
Ways to get involved
Want to support the event as a sponsor? Sponsor opportunities will be available soon.
Want to join in the fun of working with our events team? Signup as a volunteer, we would love your help.
QUESTIONS? Reach out via email to hello @ iccans . org – we are always looking for volunteers and donations of prizes for the raffle or door prizes.
Sponsor Brochure
Reach out with questions…
Sponsorship Opportunities
The “Festa Italiana Weekend” delivers an experience of Italy that the entire family can enjoy – right here in Halifax, Nova Scotia!
Run entirely by volunteers, the Italian Canadian Cultural Association transforms into HRM’s ‘Little Italy,’ creating a space for Italian Canadians to congregate with one another and the people in our community who want to experience “La Bella Vita!” (The Good Life)
Many volunteers spearhead this event every year, supported by sponsors and the people of HRM. It’s an event created by past generations and continues to be appreciated by young and old today.
More than 2000 people come through the Festa Italiana doors every September; this is your opportunity to highlight your company and brand to the people of Halifax.
Full sponsorship package can be downloaded here. NOTE: Our sponsorships are NOT Vendor Booths.
QUESTIONS? Contact our Festa Planning Committee Chair: Kathy Colaiacovo via the ICCA office.
Important Notice
We have become aware that unauthorized emails are being sent to businesses claiming to recruit vendors for Festa Italiana Halifax 2026. The ICCA does not offer outside food or craft vendors for Festa Italiana Halifax, and we do not use free Gmail addresses for official event communications. Any request for sponsorship or prizes can be confirmed with one of our Board members or the office.
If you receive an email requesting vendor applications, payments, or deposits on behalf of Festa Italiana Halifax, please do not respond or send money without first verifying the request did come from the ICCA.
Official ICCA communications only come from our authorized iccans.org email addresses
If you have any questions, please call (902-453-5327) us or contact us directly. via email.
Festa Guests in 2025
Social Media Reach
Email Subscribers
Social Media Viewers
Website Visitors
Join us and experience a Taste of Italy right here in Halifax NS
SUPPORTING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE FESTA ITALIANA
The Italian Canadian Cultural Association of Nova Scotia recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.
The Festa Italiana Halifax is the annual fundraiser for the Italian Canadian Cultural Association of Nova Scotia (ICCA NS).
Our mission is to enrich, share and reflect Italian Canadian culture through social, cultural, recreational and educational services.
Our objective is to fully realize individual and collective potential through meaningful services which honour Italian heritage and enhance the quality of life in Nova Scotia. The ICCA NS began operating on May 4th, 1976, as an official non-profit and has evolved over the years into what we are today. The Directors and membership of the ICCA place incredible importance on family and community. All of our events and activities are focused on building family and community ties.
The membership of the association is composed of people of Italian and non-Italian heritage who share an interest in Italian history and culture. The association provides Italian language and culture courses, organizes Italian culturally themed social events, and provides a forum where its members and the community-at-large can share experiences and mix socially.
Learn more on our main website at www.iccans.org
Honorary Consul to Italy for the Maritimes, Marilisa Benigno and ICCA-NS President, Sandra Gardin
Contact Us
Fill out the form below and we will reach back out within 48-72 business hours.
Location
2629 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS
Phone Us
ICCA Office – 902-453-5327
Festa Italiana Chair – 902-406-2450 (Kathy Colaiacovo)
Experience HRM’s ‘Little Italy’ – two days filled with Italian food, culture, language and more food! The Italian Canadian Cultural Association opens its doors and offers a space for everyone in our community who wants to experience “La Bella Vita!” (The Good Life).
Contact Us
2629 Agricola Street, Halifax NS
902-453-5327
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