Over two weekends Howard Smith Wharves will transform into the home of the very best Italian dishes, drinks and entertainment with FESTA ITALIANA.
What to expect
This year’s festival promises to bring even more flavour, fun and festivities by the Brisbane River, with authentic Italian cuisine, lively entertainment, spritz bars, and more.
Inspired by one of the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic beach clubs, Conca del Sogno, this year’s FESTA ITALIANA will have the club’s chef recreating the restaurant’s famous spaghetti alla Nerano, bringing a taste of the Amalfi Coast to the Brisbane River for the first time.
With different areas set up, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Main Lawn has taken centre stage with a lively grill station serving up succulent porchetta stuffed focaccia fresh off the grill.
Visitors also have the chance to tuck into renowned chef and culinary icon Orazio D’Elia’s much-loved pasta dishes, with his signature flair and flavour. Think rigatoni alla vodka, rich with tomato, chilli, cream and a splash of vodka, alongside calamarata pasta with fresh calamari, cherry tomatoes, garlic and chilli inspired by the flavours of Southern Italy’s coastline
Just steps away, a bespoke riverside bar will be pouring a vibrant collection of bold and refreshing cocktails, including Conca del Sogno’s signature Sgroppino, a refreshing Venetian bevvy blending lemon sorbet, vodka and prosecco. And it’s not just about the taste: the drink will be theatrically served by renowned host Pierluigi Guidone during the festival’s iconic “Sgroppino Show”.
There will also be citrussy flavours galore, with cocktails that taste like sunshine in a glass, such as frozen Aperol and Limoncello Spritzes.
It’s not just cocktails though. If you’re a person of simpler tastes, Felons Brewing Co. has brewed an Italian Lager for the occasion, and it is available exclusively at the festival!
Practical information
This year’s FESTA ITALIANA will take place over two weekends: from Thursday, May 28 to Sunday May 31, and from Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7.
Thursdays and Fridays the festival will kick off at 4pm, and Saturdays and Sundays the fun starts from 11am!
The event is family- and dog-friendly and is free to attend.
📍Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane CBD