Festitalia

Get ready to feel Italian for one day! On Sunday October 9, FESTITALIA  will be a one-day packed program of all things Italian, starring the flavours and faces of Italy with a line-up of artists, entertainers, dancers, singers, performers and food experiences that will bring Italy to Brisbane for one day!

Hosted by the Italian Consulate in Brisbane and the Italian Embassy in Canberra, Festitalia is Queensland's only official Italian Festival, and will be held in Spencer Park at Newmarket, home to the iconic Brisbane City Football Club. Highlights include:

In an Australian first, the internationally acclaimed Sbandieratori Sansepolcro Flagthrowers from the renaissance town of the same name, in the heart of central Italy will bring their heritage celebration craft to Brisbane.  The centuries-old tradition of Flagthrowing has been kept alive and vibrant and the Sansepolcro Flagthrowers were the first group to be formed in Italy.

Aria-award winning and multi-platinum selling recording artist and past Australian Idol contestant, Cosima De Vito heads the entertainment line-up!! Joining her on stage Actor/Musician Diletta Luna, Tarantella dancers, and the Sydney-based Xpresso musicians.

Many food stalls will pay tribute to the famous foods and flavours of Italy. Everything from authentic espresso, pizza, calamari to cannoli, gnocchi to nutella doughnuts, granita to Italian sausages, and more. A definite highlight!!

In a star studded culinary line-up, My Kitchen Rules' 2016 favourite Italian competitors Luciano and Martino will share their passion for cooking.

Pizza Acrobatics by Italian World Master Pizza Chef and Australia's Got Talent star Youssef Ben-Touati.

Traditional Venetian mask-making techniques by Michael Taylor; Food and Wine Masterclasses throughout the day; a line-up of Italy's iconic cars; works by celebrated artist Cosimo Ronconi and a photographic exhibition L'Ultimo Saluto documenting young Italians boarding ships on a passage of hope and courage. And of course, rides and fun activities for the bambini.

A major highlight of the day-long celebrations will be the drawing of the major raffle – two return tickets flying Etihad Airways to either Rome or Milan in Italy (tickets are $5, terms and conditions agreed on sale).

Festitalia promotes the richness of the Italian cultural heritage by passionately applauding the contributions made by the strong Italian community in Queensland and is a celebration of life, love and family.

Festitalia is proudly supported by the Italian community and its valued sponsors Brisbane City Council, Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Brisbane City Football Club, Treasury Casino, Bertocchi Smallgoods, Magic 882, QPAC, Merlo Coffee, Yellow Cabs, Mantra on Edward, Merthyr Village New Farm, Porta Lawyers, Willims Motor Group, Mapei Australia and Etihad.