The Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles

The Feast of San Gennaro is an Italian festival celebrated every September in the vibrant district of Hollywood, Los Angeles. Originally inspired by New York’s beloved Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro, which dates back to the 1920s, this festival honors the Catholic Saint Gennaro, who was martyred in 305 AD. The LA festival, launched in 2002 by Italian Americans, lasts for three days, featuring a rich array of Italian music, delectable food, and cultural activities, even though it lacks the traditional Cannoli Eating Contest.

Dates: September 23-25, 2016
Hours: Friday 5 pm – Midnight, Saturday 11 am – Midnight, Sunday 11 am – 10:00 pm
Location: Highland and Hawthorne, one block south of Hollywood Blvd next to Hollywood High School. Entrances are available at Highland and Orange.
Cost: Festival entry is $5, while children under 12 are free. Please note that there are additional costs for food and rides, with various family packages available. A $1 discount is available with a Metro card.
Parking: The Hollywood & Highland Center provides parking at $2 for 2 hours with validation from local shops. Rates increase thereafter, up to a maximum of $13. Valet parking is also available at Madame Tussauds for $10.
Public Transport: Take the Red Line to Hollywood & Highland
Information: Visit www.feastofla.org

Feast of San Gennaro Festival Highlights

The festival is renowned for its vibrant music, featuring traditional Italian, Italian American, and guest artists performing classics such as Volare and That’s Amore. The entertainment includes tenor performances of Nessun Dorma and O Sole Mio, along with a mix of Italian folk, rock bands, swing music, and accordion performances.

Festival activities comprise:

• Children’s crafts
• The Great Gravy-Sauce Competition
• Cooking demonstrations
• Bocce
• Bingo
• Carnival games
• A wide variety of authentic Italian food

A significant event is the San Gennaro Procession, where community members and clergy carry the statue of San Gennaro around the festival area, passing notable landmarks such as the Chinese Theatre before returning to the main stage. This procession culminates with a Mass on the Main Stage, where everyone is encouraged to participate or simply observe.

History of the Feast of San Gennaro in LA

In 2002, notable Italian Americans including Jimmy Kimmel, whose heritage is Italian, and Doug DeLuca, Co-Executive Producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, initiated the LA festival in a parking lot near Capitol Records. The event quickly gained popularity, attracting various Italian American celebrities such as Tony Danza and Tommy Lasorda. In 2004, the festival expanded to a larger venue near the Grove shopping complex but returned to Hollywood in 2006. Currently, the event is situated just south of Hollywood Blvd at Highland and Hawthorne, maximizing the festival’s space to accommodate its growing attendance.

Despite some budget-related reductions since 2014, the festival continues to celebrate its Italian heritage, attracting families and food lovers alike.