Attractions and Features

For the tenth consecutive year, Italian Day in Vancouver will show its green, white and red colours proudly as one of Canada’s biggest urban festivals, which has become synonymous with live music, food, patios, fashion, family-fun and so much more.

Live Music & Lifestyle

Sing, dance and enjoy live music from opera to jazz, classical and pop/rock throughout the day with local Italo-Canadian artists and international special guests on three main stages located in Grandview Park, 2nd Ave, as well as Piazza Moda on 3rd Avenue.  The sound of music continues throughout the street with pop up performers, as well as designated DJ areas, latin dance lessons and more.

On 3rd Avenue, the Piazza Moda stage also becomes a window to fashion with runway shows in between music sets, where the atmosphere transports visitors to a public square in Italy showcasing La Dolce Vita. And – what is the love of style without classic Italian vehicles which too compliment the landscape of showcases, including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Ducati, Vespas and vintage vehicle displays.

Besides music and dolce vita lifestyle, the festival offers fun for the whole family throughout the 14 blocks, including a Bocce Court, human foosball, food contests, children’s activity zones and more.

Food, Patios and Tasting Experiences

It wouldn’t be an Italian festa without a banquet of delicious Italian food offered up by merchants and vendors: fried Italian donuts, cannoli, pasta, wood-oven panini, meatballs, gelato, arancini, pizza, espresso-based beverages and more. The festival also includes 15 extended patios, food trucks and other ethnic favorites dished up by the Drive merchants and visiting vendors. Did someone say free samplings? Each year, select partners also serve up a taste of Italy with free cheese and salumi samplings, tempting visitors for more.  And more samplings there are – with paid entry to a complete intersection dedicated to authentic Italian food products, fine wines and liquors, and gastronomic delights created in collaboration with local chefs.

Raffle

Thanks to supporting sponsors, Italian Day each year gives away fabulous prizes via our raffle, totalling close to $10,000, including two trips (for two) to Italy, compliments of Air Canada. Raffle tickets go on sale in March, 3 months before the event, at select merchant locations on Commercial Drive, as well as partner retail locations in East Vancouver, which will be announced on our website. Raffle tickets will also be available at the event at designated locations.

Stay tuned for prize listings to be announced in March, as well as retail locations where raffle tickets can be purchased.

Support Italian Day! Win big prizes with a high chance of winning. Only 4,000 tickets. Good luck! In Bocca Al Lupo!

Italian Heritage Month

June is Italian Heritage Month (IHM), and in 2018 City Council passed a motion recognizing IHM in the City’s list of official observances and celebrations. Italian Heritage Month is an opportunity to honour the history, culture, and contributions of Italian-Canadians to the City of Vancouver. It involves a month long series of events presented by various partners, including Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, and the Italian Day Festival Society, showcasing performances, exhibitions, language and cultural initiatives, community festivals, and other events. The Italian Day Festival Society launches the cultural festivities on a grand scale with Italian Day on The Drive, the signature and largest event of Italian Heritage Month. The Vancouver Whitecaps also join in the IHM celebrations with an Italian Heritage game, honouring the many contributions made by Italo-Canadians both on and off the field.

In addition to the celebrations, Italian Heritage Month is also a time to remember the hardships faced by Italian-Canadians who struggled to immigrate to Vancouver, build their lives and businesses, and contribute to our city. Among these hardships was the internment of 44 Italians who lived in Vancouver and were taken from their families and sent to camps in the early 1940s.