I was excited to get down to the Feast of All Feasts – the 97th annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy this weekend. The weather was perfect and the streets were mobbed with happy folks and yummy food everywhere you turned.

I started off on Grand Street, at Centre Street. It’s where the ferris wheel and arcade games are.

I love when I catch a smile in the crowd! Looking south down Mulberry Street.

The Feast honors the patron saint of Naples, Saint Januarius. Janarius, or Gennaro, has been honored as the Patron Saint of Blood Banks and is invoked against blood diseases. The first Feast of San Gennaro, back in 1926, was just one day, September 19th. Now it runs for 11 days and attracts over a million people!

As expected, there is a huge selection of Italian cookies and other pastries. This was at Caffe Palermo.

Caffe Palermo is known as Home of the Cannoli King. This is their 50th Anniversary. Check them out here.

Gelato, anyone? I didn’t know the technical difference between gelato and ice cream. I learned that gelato is richer and denser than American ice cream. Gelato has less butterfat, less air, and usually no eggs. Who knew ice cream has eggs in it?

I came at the right time. This fellow is using butane to heat up the fettuccini alfredo. Oh, I wanted some!

Serving the goods. This was at the Mrs. Claus Café, outside of Christmas in New York, 142 Mulberry St. You can check the Christmas store out here.

It was so good to see the restaurants packed. I usually pass through Little Italy before lunchtime, when they’re still working to fill tables. This was outside Paesano’s of Mulberry Street.

Perfection at La Nonna, 143 Mulberry Street.

Like what you see? Sign up to get a short email when new NYC photos are added!

First Name

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you’re human:

An old San Gennaro tradition was a grease pole climbing contest. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see!

Can’t you just smell the peppers and onions? It smelled divine!

One sandwich, coming up, at Caffe Napoli, 191 Hester Street. Started as a cafe for coffee and pastry by Anna Silvestri and Family in 1972, Caffe Napoli introduced the sidewalk cafe in Little Italy. They’re now a full dining establishment. You can check them out here.

The Feast of San Gennaro has grown to include multi-cultural food vendors. You can pretty much find it all.

Little Italy has shrunk greatly over time, from it’s original 50 blocks. In the 1960’s, the growth of Chinatown exploded and has gradually encroached on what was Little Italy. However, Mulberry Street between Canal Street and Grand Street remains solidly traditional Little Italy. Yes, the rents are high, and there are too many articles out there bashing the Feast and how it’s not what it once was…but what is? I’m for anything that gets people together for a peaceful, good time.

I wandered until I found what I was looking for: the float with the statue of San Gennaro. It was in front of The Church of the Most Precious Blood, the National Shrine Church of San Gennaro. The Shrine is at 113 Baxter Street.

The Feast is now organized by the Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. (“Children of San Gennaro”).

The float collects donations along the parade route, which are pinned to the apron of the statue. I tried to find out more about the making of the statue, but didn’t have any luck.

I wish I had seen Kathrine Narducci, she is this years Grand marshal.

The bank struck up a song and the float finally got under way. Evviva San Gennaro!

I walked around a while longer, enjoying the sights and smells of everyone feasting.

My favorite: Ferrara Bakery, 195 Grand Street. Ferrara dates its origins to 1892 when Café Ferrara first opened its doors in New York City’s Little Italy for opera lovers seeking likeminded company and refreshment. They make their own cannoli shells, and they’re to die for. You’ll find them here.

At the zeppole tent. Zeppole are fried dough balls covered in powdered sugar.

“Sexy oysters!” they called out.

The Feast runs until September 24th this year, so you’ve still got time to get there and enjoy the happy atmosphere and great food.

You can find the event calendar here.

Thank you for reading. I hope you’ll subscribe, and come back for photos of real people, in the real NYC.

Photos property of debbieinthecity.com. May not be duplicated without written permission. Any links or mention of products or services are for information purposes only and not an endorsement.