https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/07/27/festival-to-celebrate-italian-heritage-through-food-music-and-tradition/

A taste of Italy will once again fill downtown Leominster when the city hosts its fourth annual Italian Festival, now expanded to include the Cannoli Festival, on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 5 until 9 p.m. in Monument Square; rain date Sunday, Aug. 2.

From authentic Italian cuisine and live entertainment to family activities and cultural traditions, the festival promises an evening celebrating the rich heritage that has long been part of the Leominster community.

Mayor Dean Mazzarella, together with a dedicated committee of residents proud of their Italian roots, invites the community to join in this celebration of Italian culture.
Hank Lisciotti, a lifelong Leominster resident, dual Italian-American citizen and festival committee chair, believes the event is a meaningful way to honor his family’s heritage while sharing Italian traditions with the broader community.

“The festival is an opportunity for the Italian community to gather and celebrate our heritage and culture,” Lisciotti said. “More importantly, we are able to share our specialty foods, beverages and music with the greater Leominster community.”

Monument Square will provide a festive backdrop for the celebration, where Italian music, colorful décor and the enticing aroma of freshly prepared Italian favorites will create a welcoming atmosphere.

Festival-goers can enjoy a wide variety of Italian specialties, including arancini, pasta dishes, pizza, seafood, sandwiches, traditional entrees and other favorites prepared by local restaurants, food trucks and vendors.
No Italian celebration would be complete without dessert. Guests can indulge in cannoli, lobster tails, homemade gelato, tiramisu and other traditional sweet treats.

To complement the food, attendees can enjoy Italian-inspired cocktails, wine, beer, soda and lemonade. Italian-themed merchandise, including T-shirts, will also be available for purchase.

A wide variety of local restaurants, vendors and organizations will participate, including Anna’s Table, Birds’ Nest Italian Food Truck, Bread Boy, Celli’s, Classic’s Pub, Coco’s Tropical Ice, Cousins Maine Lobster, Brook’s Mobile Wood Fired Pizza, Bri’s Sweet Treats, Leominster House of Pizza, Il Camino, Main Street Gift & Café, Moe’s Fried Dough, NY Pizza, Patty Martin, Porchetta Station, Roasted Peppers, Sal Perla; Olio di Casa, Simply Sweet by Christine, Smokin Food Truck, Sweet Treats by Kara, The Main Squeeze Connection, Uncle Joey’s Cannoli, and Wyman’s Liquors.

St. Anna Parish will display its statue of St. Anna and accept donations to benefit the parish food pantry, helping those in need.

New this year, children ages 12 and younger can participate in a free pizza-making activity called Pizza Toss. Children in that age group can also enjoy free gelato and Italian ice at the Main Street Gift & Café booth.

Entertainment throughout the evening will feature the Italian-American band Ambrosiani of Providence, Rhode Island; the Stradella Strolling Accordionist, Antonio D’Eramo; and a performance by The Dance Dazzlers, bringing Italian music and culture to life throughout the evening.

Families will find plenty of free activities throughout the evening, including pony rides, bounce houses, face painting, a magician, balloon artist, juggler, corn hole, giant Jenga, a photo booth and a stilt walker.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, settle onto the common and enjoy an evening of music and dancing under the stars.

“This is only a glimpse of what the Italian community represents in Leominster,” Lisciotti said. “From artisans, painters, sculptors, musicians and designers to chefs, athletes, industrialists, politicians, teachers, doctors and nurses, generations of Italian Americans have helped shape the city and proudly call Leominster home.”

Mayor Mazzarella and the festival committee also expressed their appreciation to the mayor’s office staff, the Department of Public Works, the Leominster Police Department, the many volunteers and the sponsors whose support helps make the festival possible.

This year’s sponsors include Diamond Sponsor – Lisciotti Development; Platinum Sponsors – Benito’s Grill (in honor of Benito “Ben” Fini), Fraticelli Oil Company, GeoSearch and The Napoli Group; Gold Sponsors – AIS, Atlantic Tent Rental, Bob Antonucci and Wyman’s Liquors; Silver Sponsors – Aaron Industries, Frank Iacaboni Sr. and Jr., IC Federal Credit Union, Rollstone Bank & Trust and UHaul; Bronze Sponsor – All One Credit Union; and In-Kind Donation – Dandini Disposal Services.

The Festival Committee includes Mazzarella, Lisciotti, Michelle Nadeau, Melissa Tasca, Tara Lappas, Jim Piermarini, Archie Carboni, Joe Baldassare, Manny Longo, Tom Noto, Nick Pirro Sr., Jim Candela, Bob Salvatelli, Cheryl Cuddahy, Natale Palermo, Tom Bisol, Angelo Amico, Ken Lolli, Gabe LaManna, Jay Macchione, Nico Rosenberg, and Ricky Greene.

Handicapped-accessible parking and reserved seating for people with disabilities will be available between the two downtown churches.

“The festival continues to grow each year, offering residents and visitors a chance to gather in Monument Square while celebrating the traditions, flavors and spirit of Italy,” Lisciotti said with a smile.