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Sunday October 29th 2023

10am — 5pm

With more than 180,000 visitors each year, celebrating Italian culture, community spirit and what makes Leichhardt special!

An Iconic Local Event

In 1986, the first Norton Street Italian Festa was organised by the Capuchin Priests at St Fiacres Church in Leichhardt who wanted to replicate the religious festivals of Italy. Norton Street in Leichhardt has long been the emotional and physical centre of the Italian community in Sydney and is known as ‘Little Italy’. It was the first stop for many, if not most, of the Italians who disembarked in Sydney for a new beginning. Many established roots in Leichhardt and the surrounding suburb, creating a thriving community of Italian culture.

A Community Celebration

  • One of the largest annual street festivals in Australia
  • Located in the heart of Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’ and featuring entertainment, cooking demonstrations, food, drinks and community activities
  • A fun, family day out that has something special for everyone, with no cost for entry
  • A wonderful meeting of culturally rich locals and visitors from all over Sydney of all ages, professions and backgrounds
  • Supported by Inner West Council and other generous partners, particularly Co.As.It.
  • Carnival rides, jumping castles, animal farms, face painting, street performers and pony rides for the kids
  • Entertainment, concerts, dancing and free cooking demonstrations by the best Italian professional chefs PLUS the best local Italian Nonnas! 
  • Hundreds of stallholders showcasing and selling the latest, the unusual and the best in products, and food, coffee and gelato to die for.

Presented by

Event Sponsors

Festa gratefully acknowledges the support it receives from its key supporting organisations. Their contributions will ensure the continuing success of Festa in its 35th year. We take this opportunity to introduce them and recommend their products and services to for your consideration.

Level 1 Sponsors

Level 2 Sponsors

Level 3 Sponsors

Media Partners

Chosen Charity

HopeforOllie

Aiming to raise awareness and much needed funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research and clinical trials carried out by The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, HopeforOllie relies heavily on the local community and businesses for support. This is the 11th consecutive year HopeforOllie will be at Festa. Stop by their 2023 Christmas themed stall to discover their range of handmade goodies, including their signature Christmas wreaths, bunting and napery. Pre-order your gingerbread house for your home or office, or enter the draw to win one as part of the annual Gingerbread Fundraiser!

Testimonials

“

Festa is such a wonderful long-running community event, and we are so lucky to be able to celebrate Leichhardt’s Italian heritage with this fantastic street festival. There’s something for everyone, with delicious food, activities and entertainment. My family and I have been enjoying Festa for many years.
The Leichhardt and Annandale Business Chamber, through Rachele and Patrick, work so hard every year to make Festa the success that it is today. I can’t wait to see what the future of Festa looks like, and will continue to support this great event for many years to come.

Kobi Shetty MP
“

Really looking forward to Festa ‘23!

Lucio’s Pizzeria
“

I am just emailing to say thank you so much for allowing me to participate in your two festivals this year.
Sales wise they were a huge success but also the team, organisation, communication and bump in and out were fantastic! By far the best organised event of the year.
I wish you could be across a few other festivals - they could use the help!!

Annah Hennessy — Bowerbird Jewels
“

We want to formally recognise the Italian heart of Sydney. So at this year’s Festa we will be consulting the community about the right precinct area and the right name for the Italian precinct.
Make sure you let us know your ideas for recognising the home of Italy in Sydney by dropping by Council’s Your Say Inner West stall on the day.

Mayor Darcy Byrne
“

I have been involved with the Festa for a number of years and have been continually impressed by the passion and professionalism of the team as well as the ongoing success of the event.
Festa plays a valuable role in the local community as an authentic celebration of the Italian culture that underpins Leichhardt’s local heritage. Leichhardt & Annandale Business Chamber has again appointed Leichhardt businessman Patrick O’Reilly, Impact Exhibitions + Events. Through their collaborative dedication they have ensured the ongoing success of this iconic local community event.
I look forward to continued involvement with the Festa and wish the team every success for creating memorable events in the future

Jamie Parker, MP
“

The Leichhardt & Annandale Business Chamber (LABC) is delighted with the growth and development of this popular annual Italian community festival that’s been going for more than 30 years. Festa has grown from an exciting early start in the heart of Sydney’s Little Italy. Festa is a special community day for people of all backgrounds to come together and have some fun being Italian for a day. The ‘big kids’ can wander around Sydney’s largest collection of Italian cars at Auto Festa, the ‘little kids’ can try lots of fun interactive activities and family and friends can get together for lunch .
Food has always been a central part of Festa, just as it is central to the Italian way of life. One of the most popular aspects of Festa is the cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs who willingly share their traditional family recipes. All this wonderful Italian food and the Italian way is that food is to be enjoyed with something to drink!

Just like other LABC member businesses, The Royal Hotel will be a gathering place on the day, with our 2 outdoor beer gardens adding to the atmosphere on Norton Street. We look forward to your family and friends joining us, and for a bird’s eye street view of Festa, The Royal’s recently restored heritage balcony will be open for anyone to enjoy!

Mark Chapman, LABC President & Licensee of The Royal Hotel

Disclaimer:
LABC, the Event Producer (Impact Exhibitions & Events PL), and all supporting organisations, will do everything in their power to fulfil on the plans for this event. However we will not be liable for any failure or delay in providing products and services as a result of matters outside our control. We will not pass on your personal details to any other organisation except for those who are sponsoring this event.