NYC’s Little Italy Feast of San Gennaro On Pause

NYC’s Little Italy Feast of San Gennaro must go on pause for 2020, but celebrations will never be stopped. This September marks the 94^th annual celebration of the Patron Saint of Naples. The Feast Festival is normally held for 11 days through the 11 blocks centering around Mulberry Street. Originally scheduled from September 19th thru 30th, only twice before in its lifetime has the Feast been cancelled.

The parades, live music, dancing and dining may be on permanent pause this year but the Mass in honor of San Gennaro will go on September 19th with social distancing, mask up requirements and limited seating.

You can still celebrate the beloved Feast this year even though most physical participation and watching the infamous cannoli and meatball eating contests are not on the menu. Dine on Italian cuisine on Mulberry Street and surrounds. Mulberry Street is one of the closed-off streets to traffic as part of the City’s “Open Dining” program. Here are 5 Ways to Celebrate at a social distance.

1. Dine on Italian cuisine al fresco in NYC’s Little Italy
2. Take-Out lunch or dinner from an Italian Restaurant
3. Hold your own meatball or cannoli eating contest at home or via video conferencing with friends
4. Attend Mass on September 19^th at 2PM at The Precious Blood Church, 113 Baxter Street (socially distanced, masks required, limited seating)
5. March in the Procession Sept. 19^th at 3PM thru the Streets of Little Italy (all who march must wear masks)

The Feast of San Gennaro Festival has Socially Sparked® our lives since 1926. It is one of hundreds of NYC events that have been forced to go on pause or pivot virtually due to the coronavirus. In the New York Tough tradition, the City must go on and so does the spirit of its people and the celebrations. Mangia. – We are #SociallySparked!  Tweet us @sosparednews & @asparks01