Your Insider Guide to Festa Italiana

Photo: Credit Travis Okimoto, Courtesy of Festa Italiana

Ciao meets aloha at Festa Italiana, an annual festival that features food, culture and history from the beautiful country of Italy. With music, art, pasta and wine, this two-day celebration will be your chance to express your amore for Italy. Here’s your exclusive guide on where to park, what to eat and how much it costs.

Click to the info you want to explore:

• What It Is
• When and Where
• The Passaporto Italiano VIP Experience
• The Festa in Strada (Street Festival)
• Tips

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What It Is

Festa Italiana first took place in 2017 and continued consecutively through 2019. After the pandemic shutdowns, Festa Italiana returned in 2023—this year marks the fifth annual festival. At this food-centric event that celebrates the intersection between Hawai‘i and Italy through Italian-inspired experiences and flavors, the gathered vendors are all top-tier Hawai‘i and Italian businesses, restaurants and chefs.

In the past, the event was split into two parts on the same night: a free street festival and a ticketed VIP experience. This year, for the second time ever, the festival and VIP experience will take place over two separate days. Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) will once again be partnering with the festival to showcase Italian films at the street festival.

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Photo: Credit Travis Okimoto, Courtesy of Festa Italiana

When and Where

The Passaporto Italiano VIP Experience will take place at Velocity Honolulu (888 Kapiolani Blvd.) on Friday, March 21, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. This is a 21+ ticketed event. The Festa Italiana’s street festival will take place the next day on Saturday, March 22, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Mother Waldron Park in Kaka‘ako.

Image: Courtesy of Festa Italiana

Where to Park

For the street festival, $5 validated parking is available at Waterfront Plaza. Visit the Festa Italiana info booth for validation.

How Much It Costs

Admission to the family-friendly street festival on Saturday is free! Bring both cash and credit card because payment options will vary by vendor. There will be an ATM available on site if people need to get cash.

For the VIP experience, tickets start at $175 plus tax. The $175 “classico” tickets include nine food and dessert tastings from top-tier Italian chefs and restaurants and unlimited Italian wine, Menabrea beer and specialty cocktails.

The next tier, the “mezza classe” tickets, cost $215 and give you access to valet parking, a separate check-in line, the “prima classe” area and private bar and prosecco served upon entry to the “prima classe” area for the first hour and a half, in addition to the food, drinks, and dessert available to the first ticketed tier.

The final tier, the “prima classe” for two, costs $550 and is the perfect option for a romantic Italian date night. With this ticketed tier, you get two “prima classe” tickets and all the exclusive access included in addition to early entry at 5:30 p.m., a grazing board from Fig & Ginger, a reserved table with premium food service and a special wine tasting with a Master Sommelier from Banville Merchants.

SEE ALSO: Waterfront Plaza’s Open-Air Bar Reopens as The Row Kaka‘ako

Photos: Courtesy of Fig & Ginger (left), Credit Mary Garcia Photography (right)

What to Eat, Drink and Do at the Passaporto Italiano VIP Experience

Try culinary delights from Hawai‘i’s Italian chefs and restaurants and sip on a specially curated selection of Italian wines and custom cocktails all while admiring the beauty of the Italian exotic vehicles from iconic carmakers Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati. Enjoy live music and entertainment from the Hawai‘i Opera Theatre and the Mango Season Band while indulging your taste buds in an “esperienza di vera cucina Italiana”—an experience of true Italian cooking.

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Featured restaurants and their dishes:

• Arancino at The Kāhala – Rigatoni alla Carbonara (imported Molisana Rigatoni, TKG egg, Parmigiano, Pecorino romano, Guanciale)
• Bernini Honolulu – Brasato al Barolo (braised beef in Barolo wine sauce)
• Fig & Ginger – Caprese Salad (fresh mozzarella ball, heirloom cherry tomato, balsamic reduction, basil and olive oil)
• Margotto Hawai‘i – Vitello Tonnato (slow cooked veal sliced paired with an Italian sauce and pickled radicchio)
• MW Restaurant – Truffle Arancini (risotto, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, Small Kine Farms mushrooms, truffle, Nozawa corn sauce)
• Quiora – Porchetta Crostini (toasted baguette, porchetta, crispy onions, tomato jam, arugula, lemon aioli)
• Taormina Sicilian Cuisine – Pumpkin Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi (handmade Japanese pumpkin gnocchi with gorgonzola, tareggio, Asiago, Grana cheese, heavy cream, honey, nuts)
• Il Gelato Hawai‘i – Giandula (Hazelnut) Gelato & Lemon Sorbetto
• MW Restaurant – Tiramisu (KoHana rum, Lā‘ie vanilla, Kona coffee)

Photo: Courtesy of Festa Italiana

What to Eat, Drink and Do at the “Festa in Strada” – The Street Festival

Stroll around Kaka‘ako to check out the delectable food and fun entertainment. Shop authentic Italian and Italian-inspired culinary foods and a selection of Italian wines, Italian and local beer and traditional spirits. Enjoy live entertainment and street performers and try your hand at Italian-inspired games and photo ops.

There will be luxury Italian cars on display at the street from brands like Maserati, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Over at the artist’s corner, you can view local artists and their artwork—they will also be live painting on site.

Food Vendors:

• 604 Hospitality Group – Risotto Bites, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Steak, Seared Salmon Gnocchi, Tiramisu
• Allegrini Mozzarella – Panzerotti, Arancini, Caprese Salad, Tiramisu, Cannoli
• Aloha Pizzeria – TBD
• Arancino Ristorante Italiano – Gnocchi al Gorgonzola, Penne Arrabbiata, Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe, Panino Camogli
• Aroma Italia – Gnocchi Gorgonzola, Caprese Tortellini, Meatballs al Sugo, Tiramisu, Pistacchio Ricotta Cake
• Asato Family Shop – Spumoni, Limoncello
• Bambino’s – Bolognese Pasta, Pesto Pasta, Four Cheese Pasta
• Black Shamrock Tavern – Sausage & Peppers, Meatball Subs
• Brick Fire Tavern – 7” Margherita Pizza, 7” Pepperoni Pizza, Classic Cannoli w/ chocolate & pistachio dust
• Cialoha Italian Sodas – Flavors: Strawberry, Cherry, Coconut, Almond, Pineapple, Mixed
• Fig & Ginger – Caprese Bruschetta, Cannoli, Tiramisu
• Il Gelato Hawai‘i – Pistacchio Fiore Gelato, Italian Gianduia Gelato, Biscottino Gelato, Tahitian Vanilla Gelato, Amalfi Lemon Sorbetto
• ‘Ili‘ili Cash & Carry – Pizza, Baked Ziti
• La Bettola – Penne Ragu with Wagyu Beef and Kurobuta Pork, Kiawe Grilled Roast Beef and Mash Potatoes with Arugula Salad, Chocolate Cannoli
• Little Sparrow – Suppli
• Mamma Mia Olay – Calamari Alla Griglia (Grilled Jumbo Squid), Fritto Misto de Mare (Fried Seafood Cone), Mozzarella e Bastonicini de Zucchine
• Mangiamo by 604 – Risotto Bites, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Steak, Seared Salmon Gnocchi, Tiramisu
• Mega-Load Burgers – Sicilian Arancini, Risotto Crab Cakes, Fritto Misto di Pesce, Lasagna, Italian Meatballs
• Mezzo Eats – Italian Hot Dog (New Jersey style)
• Onda Pasta & Provisions – Rigatoni all’Amatriciana, Classic Tiramisu
• Pitch Sports Bar – Eggplant & Zucchini Rollatini, Italian Chopped Sandwich, Charcuterie Skewers
• Pizza Mamo – Margherita Slice, Brown Butter & Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Roti-Si – Truffle Porchetta Sliders, Farro Salad

Entertainment:

Hawai‘i Opera Theatre

Ballet Hawai‘i

Mango Season Band

(Performance schedule TBD)

Cinema Italiano presented by Hawai‘i International Film Festival:

5 p.m. Luca

7 p.m. Roman Holiday

Photo: Credit Jen May Pastores, Courtesy of Festa Italiana

Tips:

• For the street festival, consider arriving early to beat the crowds.
• Wear a hat and apply sunscreen as it can still be sunny in the late afternoon.
• If you’re planning to drink at the VIP event (unlimited wine!), arrange for a designated driver or use a rideshare option.

Festa Italiana, VIP Experience at Velocity Honolulu on Friday, March 21, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Street Festival on Saturday, March 22, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Mother Waldron Park, festaitalianahawaii.com, @festaitaliana