Indianapolis Italian Street Festival 2023: What you need to know

Oct 27, 2023

Holy cannoli. It's time for the Holy Rosary Italian Street Festival.

The family-friendly experience of Italian American culture runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 520 Stevens St., and surrounding Lacy Park.

Admission is free.

Here's what else to know:

Expect more than 25 food stands selling Italian meats, pastas, salads and desserts.

The music lineup includes headliner Vinyl Escape on Friday evening. Heartstone Crossing and School of Rock will perform as part of the entertainment that begins at 5 p.m. Saturday. As usual, classic Italian music favorites will be played over the festival public address system.

New this year is a Kids & Family Fun Space that includes inflatable attractions and an obstacle course.

The Italian Heritage Society of Indiana hosts bocce demonstrations on Friday and Saturday afternoons. All are welcome to play or learn to play the Italian ball sport at the Lacy Park bocce courts, located at McCarty and Greer streets at the south end of the church.

Check out a display of Italian-made Ducati bikes and Vespa scooters.

There will be a 7 p.m. Mass on Saturday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Preceding the Mass, at 6:45 p.m., will be an old-world style Italian religious procession, with a Blessed Virgin statue, priests, servers and members of the Italian Heritage Society moving through the middle of the food booths with vocal accompaniment provided by the Indianapolis Opera.

Free parking is available in the Eli Lilly lots on East and New Jersey streets.

Summer festivals:Indianapolis events celebrate history, food and drink