27-05-2025
Milwaukee's Festa Italiana returns this weekend. Here's everything you need to know
Milwaukee's summer of festivals is upon us.
Festa Italiana, hosted by Milwaukee's Italian Community Center, is back from May 30 to June 1.
From a bocce tournament to a competition to find the best sauce in Milwaukee, there's no shortage of activities for attendees to check out while they enjoy some classic Italian cuisine. Last year, former First Lady Jill Biden even made an appearance.
Here's what to know:
Where: Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive
When: May 30 through June 1
Times: Vary by day
There are several public transportation options to get to the festival, including:
The Hop
Route 15 and 18 Milwaukee County Transit System buses
Connect 1 BRT line
Rideshares will be located at the North Gate.
Admission is $15, or $30 for a three-day pass. Children 12 and under are free, but must be accompanied by an adult. You can buy tickets online.
Festa Italiana staff check every bag at the gates. There are restrictions for bag sizes. Any bag that is larger than 9" by 10" by 12" is prohibited, including backpacks, purses, handbags, and totes.
Umbrellas, strollers and disposable cameras are allowed.
Outside food and drinks, alcohol, bicycles and lawn chairs are among prohibited items. You can find a full list on the ICC's website.
More than a dozen vendors are slated to participate in this year's fest, including:
Peter Sciortino Bakery
Papa Luigi's
Pietro's Pizza
Pitch's
Fonzarelli's Italian Deli
Scrima's Pizza
Nadi Plates
Catalano's
Sil's Mini Donuts
More than a dozen acts are slated to perform at the festival grounds' U.S. Cellular Stage and Aurora Pavilion, including:
The Florentine Opera
The Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra
Tradizione Vivente
Frank Lamphere & His Rat Pack Jazz Quintet
Yes. The amateur singing competition will be held on May 31 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Anyone aged 14 and up can participate, where a total of $1,000 in cash prizes will be given out.
You can find out more information, including a full schedule of events, on the ICC's website.
The Festa Fireworks will be on May 31 at 10:30 p.m.
To find out more information, you can visit the ICC's website.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Festa Italiana Milwaukee 2025: Fireworks, tickets, bag policy, vendors
