One of Kansas City’s favorite festivals, Festa Italiana, the unique celebration of Italian traditions and Italian-American culture, will be May 30- June 1, 2025. This longtime local ethnic festival draws visitors from across metropolitan Kansas City and beyond. Enjoy an amazing assortment of Italian food favorites, great entertainment on the main stage all weekend, an Italian Motorsports Show, Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair (new this year!), bounce houses for kids and much more.
FREE admission, food & beverages available for purchase. Festa Italiana is the largest fundraiser for UNICO KC. UNICO is an Italian-American service organization that raises funds for college scholarships for area high school students. This year, over $50,000 will be awarded during Sunday's ceremony.
Friday, May 30: 5:00PM - 11:00PM
Saturday, May 31: 11:00AM - 11:00PM
Sunday, June 1: 11:00AM - 5:00PM
The event will be held at Zona Rosa's North Park (area just South of the Dillard's building)
Parking:
From Barry Road Entrance -- follow NW Prairie View Road & through the intersection of Old Navy & Barnes & Noble. Look for "EVENT PARKING" signs at the Rush Creek Garage and the lots to the East of Dillard's.
From Congress Entrances, there are two parking garages available. 86th Street Garage (walk North on N. Stoddard to the event) or the Northwest Parking Garage (just west of Dillard's)
2025 Kansas City Festa Italiana Entertainment Line-Up
Friday, May 30
5:00 PM Frank Favoroso. Classic Rock & Country
5:20 PM Monroe Rich. Festa's youngest dancer
5:30 PM Frank Cherrito. KC’s smooth Italian crooner
6:00 PM Cory Pesaturo. World Champion (3x!) accordion player
7:00 PM Flashback. Classic rock, R&B and funk band
8:30 PM UNICO’s Meatball Eating Contest
9:00 PM The Bronx Wanderers. One family, one dream, one amazing rockin’ show!
Pop-up market filled with local makers and artists curated by The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair. Market open 5pm - 9pm Friday. Application now to be a maker!
Saturday, May 31
10:45 AM Live with Jasper Mirabile. Celebrity Italian chef hosts hour show with guests
11:30 AM Chef Silverio Pagano. KC singing Italian Chef's recipe
12:00 PM UNICO's Cannoli Eating Contest - Hosted by Jasper Mirable
12:30 PM The Gumba’s. A musical journey through Italy
*Special Appearance – Watch for The Strolling Gumbas from 1:00 – 2:00 on the Festival Grounds *
1:00 PM Michael Donze. The Italian Elvis tribute
1:30 PM The Viviano Brothers. Singing Italian favorites
2:30 PM Cory Pesaturo Returns. Wold Champion accordion player
3:30 PM Dolewite. KC’s Classic Hip Hop Experience.
5:00 PM Disco Dick & The Mirrorballs. The nation’s number one disco experience
6:30 PM Joseph Vincelli. Internationally acclaimed saxophonist, flautist and jazz artist
7:30 PM Kate Cosentino. Local pop, jazz artist, former contestant on The Voice
9:00 PM The Bronx Wanderers Return
Pop-up market filled with local makers and artists curated by The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair. Market open 11am - 9pm Saturday. Apply now to be a maker!
Sunday , June 1
10:00 AM Catholic Mass. Presiding celebrant – Fr. Alex Kreidler
11:00 AM Chef Chris Canzoneri. Secret recipe from Garozzo’s head chef
11:30 AM Maria Milazzo. Singing Italian arias and classics
12:00 PM The Gumba’s. A musical journey through Italy
12:50 PM Elizabeth Vigliaturo Tabor. Festa’s young dancer returns in 2025
1:00 PM K.C Rukus. Jazz, country & more
1:30 PM Melrose's School of Dance. Liberty's showcase dancers
2:30 PM Four Fried Chickens and a Coke. Upbeat, fun rock band since 1997
4:00 PM Recognition of UNICO Scholarship Winners
Italian Motor Show: Sunday, June 1, noon - 2 pm
UNICO Wine Tasting Tent: on the west side of the festival grounds, all weekend long.
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