Volume 1. Issue 3

Volume 1. Issue 3

Your Guide to the Youngstown Italian Summer Fests

The air smells like fried dough, the sound of bocce balls clink, and the Jim Frank Combo is giving their all to a Sinatra cover over a fuzzy speaker, which can only mean one thing: Italian fest season has officially arrived in Youngstown.

These festivals aren’t just a summer tradition—they’re a full-sensory ritual. Equal parts nostalgia and neighborhood pride. It’s the ladies from the church kitchen serving pizza like it’s a competitive sport. It’s someone yelling last call for the raffle over a muffled speaker, the sound of accordion music, and dads guarding folding chairs like sacred ground.

This is your unofficial guide to Youngstown’s Italian festivals: where to go, what to eat, who to see, and how to do it right.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica’s 25th Annual Italian Festival

July 24–27 | Downtown Youngstown

This is the crown jewel of the Italian church fest season. Picture vintage Catholic grandeur meets meatballs on paper plates, accompanied by a soundtrack of old Italian standards. Whether you’re here for the Jubilee or just trying to have a second dose of cavatelli without judgment, this festival delivers on tradition, family, and plenty of sauce. The church ladies are something serious, the spirit is holy, and the music is live every night—amen. And if you forgot to attend Mass last week, attending this probably counts.

Tip: Come early for the best parking and stay late for the music—this one’s packed every night, and there's always one uncle dancing near the stage like he owns the place (he might).

Greater Youngstown Italian Fest

August 1–3 | Downtown Youngstown

Downtown gets dressed up for this one. It’s the most polished of the bunch, but still has heart and meatballs. Expect: big crowds, a big stage, and bigger cannoli. Come for the music, stay so you have time to run into your aunt, your cousin, or your childhood dentist.

My highlights? Let me walk you through the musts.

  • On Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the festival honors the Italian Man and Woman of the Year—a tradition that always gets me a little misty-eyed. It’s heartfelt, it’s wholesome, it’s a sweet reminder that tradition still has a pulse. If you know someone deserving, nominations are open:
  • Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., it’s time for the crowd favorite: the pasta-eating contest, plus competitions for the best homemade wine, hot peppers, and biscotti. Think: culinary pride meets light chaos. Whether you're competing or just spectating, it’s the kind of entertainment you won’t get on Netflix. 
  • Sunday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., close it all out with a Roman Catholic Mass and Processional—because what’s a weekend of indulgence without at least one hour of repentance?

And of course, live music all weekend long with local favorites like The Vindy’s, RDNA, and Vintage Vinyl. For the full lineup: youngstownitalianfest.org/events/schedule

Tip: Wear something breathable and skip the heels—it’s hot, it’s crowded, and you will absolutely be walking back to your car with a sausage sandwich

Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival

August 7–10 | Downtown Warren

Okay, technically not Youngstown—but semantics, darling. It’s 20 minutes away, and it’s been going strong for 40 years, so we’re letting it in. Expect a generous dose of heritage pride, impressive cultural programming to make you wish you paid more attention in Italian class, and enough wine flowing to make you think you’re fluent. The bocce tournaments here are no joke—don’t wander into the court unless you're ready to lose to someone’s grandfather who’s been training since the Truman administration. Cap it all off on Saturday night with fireworks at 10:45 pm, because nothing says “Italian-American jubilee” quite like pyrotechnics over the plaza.

Here are a few of my personal highlights:

  • Thursday kicks off with the ribbon cutting at 4:00 pm, followed by the Miss Italian & Jr. Miss Italian Pageant at 6:00 pm—prepare to be charmed.
  • Saturday is peak entertainment: the homemade wine tasting competition at 1:00 pm is always a crowd favorite (for obvious reasons), and the meatball eating contest at 1:30 pm is an absolute riot—don’t miss it. Fireworks close the night with a bang at 10:45 pm.
  • Sunday begins with an outdoor Italian Mass on the main stage at 10:00 am, followed by a classic parade at 2:00 pm, and dueling pianos at 7:30 pm to end the weekend on a high note.

All weekend long, enjoy live music, the charming Caffè Italiano at the center of the festival with traditional cookies and pastries, meatball sandwiches, wine slushies, cultural displays, and—of course—bocce. 

Check out the full schedule: warrenitalianfestival.com/schedule-of-events

Tip: Bring cash—lots of vendors still like you to keep it old-school.

Brier Hill Italian Fest

August 14–17 | Historic Brier Hill, Youngstown

Held in the neighborhood where it all began, this fest is basically sacred ground. It’s hyper-local, proudly gritty, and full of flavor—literally. The Brier Hill pizza alone is worth the trip. This one’s less polished, more family historian—but that’s the charm. Think of it as a living love letter to Youngstown’s Italian roots.

Tip: Grab your friends, get a buzz, and head to the ITAM for wine. It’s a time-honored tradition, poured with pride.Why it matters:

These festivals are living proof of what happens when tradition meets tenacity. Our parents, grandparents, and neighbors built them with their hands, their faith, and more than a few folding tables. They’ve kept them alive for decades, raising money for churches, schools, and communities along the way.

Showing up is more than just a summer activity—it’s a way to keep the story going. If we want the next generation to know what a real cavatelli dinner tastes like (and why folding chairs are territorial markers), it starts with us showing up, eating well, and passing it on.

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