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Opening Weekend

June 9 @ 4:00 pm - June 11 @ 11:30 pm

Free

Welcome to the most exciting weekend of the year – the start of the Ottawa Italian Festival! Get ready to be immersed in the sights, sounds, and flavours of Italy as we kick off this year’s festivities in style on the streets of Ottawa’s Little Italy!

Our opening weekend is the perfect way to start your Italian Week experience with a bang! Join us for a fun-filled weekend of entertainment, food, and culture as we celebrate all things Italian.

All Main Stage events will take place at 301 Preston Street. Our Kids Zone is located at Preston and Adeline.

Click here to view Road Closure information.

 

Friday, June 9

16:00 – The Jivewires | Main Stage

17:30 – Fonte d’Amore | Main Stage

18:00 – Opera Recital | Main Stage

19:00 – Joe Cacchione | Main Stage

20:00 – Claudio Santaluce | Main Stage

20:45 – JFUN | Main Stage

22:00 – Marco Calliari | Main Stage

Saturday, June 10

11:00 – Soccer Tournament | Adult High School Soccer Field 

12:00 – Joe Cacchione | Main Stage

14:00 – Rossano Giamberardino | Main Stage

15:00 –  Andrea Ramolo with Riccardo Laganà | Main Stage

17:00 – Fonte d’Amore | Main Stage

19:30 – Opera Recital | Main Stage

20:30 – DJ Jas Nasty | Main Stage

22:00 – December Rose | Main Stage

Sunday, June 11

10:30 – St. Anthony’s Church & Mass Procession | St. Anthony’s Church

11:00 – Soccer Tournament | Adult High School Soccer Field 

13:30 – Cannoli Eating Contest | Main Stage

14:30 – Espresso Show Band | Main Stage

16:30 – Fonte d’Amore | Preston Street & Main Stage

18:00 – Frank Spadone | Main Stage

19:30 – Opera Recital | Main Stage

20:30 – Alamusic | Main Stage

22:00 – Bandabardò | Main Stage

Kids Zone

June 9 | 18:00 – 21:00 | Preston Street & Adeline

June 10 | 12:00 – 21:00 | Preston Street & Adeline

June 11 | 12:00 – 21:00 | Preston Street & Adeline

You won’t want to miss the rides and activities at our Kids Zone! Make your way to Preston and Adeline Streets to check out the midway rides, games, and other incredible activities! Whether it’s face-painting, storytelling or thrill rides, our younger festival-goers (and some of the older ones!) will have the time of their lives!

 

 FRIDAY | June 9, 2023

The Jivewires

June 9 | 16:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

The Jivewires, one of Ottawa’s premiere “Jump Blues” bands, is back at Ottawa Italian Festival! They bring a high-energy sound to our stage that’ll have you dancing in the aisles. Don’t miss this rockin’ performance featuring music from Louis Prima and others!

Fonte d’Amore

June 9 | 17:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Check out these talented young dancers as they present the Tarantella, a traditional form of dance from southern Italy.

Opera Recital

June 9 | 18:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

You won’t want to miss three performances of opera favourites – arias, duets, and quartets – performed by members of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio! Join us at the main stage to hear these talented singers.

Joe Cacchione

June 9 | 19:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Joe is a comedian who knows how to get people laughing! With his irreverent but never vulgar brand of humor, he will connect with audience members of all ages and walks of life.

Claudio Santaluce

June 9 | 20:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Claudio Santaluce wows audiences with his take on traditional Italian accordion music everywhere he plays! He is renowned for his unique style of combining traditional elements with a modern twist.

JFUN

June 9 | 20:45 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

When it comes to creating a fun DJ vibe, JFUN’s style touches down on many different genres while combining funky rhythms that create a moving celebration of sonic exploration.

Marco Calliari

June 9 | 22:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Festival favourite Marco Calliari returns with his unique blend of rock and Italian-style world music. Born and raised in Montreal in an Italian family, Marco blends the sounds of modern rock and roll with the more traditional sounds of Italian cultural music flawlessly with his band.

SATURDAY | June 10, 2023

Soccer Tournament

June 10 | 11:00 | Adult High School Soccer Field – 301 Preston Street

Come to the Adult High School Field to watch Italy’s national pastime — football (or soccer to some of us)! We’re partnering with St. Anthony’s Soccer Club to host a tournament on Saturday and Sunday as part of our celebration of Italian culture.

Sponsored by District Realty

Joe Cacchione

 June 10 | 12:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Joe is a comedian who knows how to get people laughing! With his irreverent but never vulgar brand of humor, he will connect with audience members of all ages and walks of life.

Rossano Giamberardino

June 10 | 14:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Join us at the main stage for traditional Italian folk music. Rossano Giamberardino brings the unmistakable sound of traditional Italian accordion to Preston Street!

Andrea Ramolo with Riccardo Laganà

June 10 | 15:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Come to the main stage to check out Italian-Canadian artist Andrea Ramolo, with guest Riccardo Laganà, founder of Kalàscima, one of Italy’s hottest bands. You don’t want to miss these unique artists who bring a taste of Italy to our stage!

Fonte d’Amore

June 10 | 17:00 | Preston Street & Main Stage

Check out these talented young dancers as they present the Tarantella, a traditional form of dance from southern Italy.

Opera Recital

 June 10 | 19:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

You won’t want to miss three performances of opera favourites – arias, duets, and quartets – performed by members of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio! Join us at the main stage to hear these talented singers.

DJ Jas Nasty

June 10 | 20:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

The stage continues to heat up Saturday night with DJ Jas Nasty. This popular Ottawa DJ brings the audience together with her unique style of music from the 70’s to today’s electronic music.

December Rose

June 10 | 22:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Keep the night going with an artist whose voice has been described as the best of Adele, Jessie J, and Amy Winehouse. December Rose has a genuine personality that comes through her music. Her soulful voice and heartfelt songs are bound to get you hooked!

SUNDAY | June 11, 2023

St. Anthony’s Church Mass & Procession

June 11 | 10:30 | St. Anthony’s Church – 427 Booth Street

The celebration of St. Anthony is the root of Ottawa Italian Festival. Come to St. Anthony’s Church to attend an open-air mass, followed by the traditional procession throughout Little Italy.

Soccer Tournament

June 11 | 11:00 | Adult High School Soccer Field – 301 Preston Street

Come to the Adult High School Field to watch Italy’s national pastime — football (or soccer to some of us)! We’re partnering with St. Anthony’s Soccer Club to host a tournament on Saturday and Sunday as part of our celebration of Italian culture.

Sponsored by District Realty

Cannoli Eating Contest

June 11 | 1:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you think you can put away more dessert than anyone else? Then join us on stage to put your money, and a whole lot of cannoli, where your mouth is! Check out the contest on our main stage!

Espresso Show Band

June 11 | 14:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Prepare to be blown away by The Espresso Show Band, a dynamic group of Italian-Canadian musicians who ignite the stage with their electrifying performances of classic rock hits. This passionate and talented group of musicians will transport you back to the golden age of classic rock with their high-energy performances and irresistible Italian flair.

Fonte d’Amore

June 11 | 16:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Check out these talented young dancers as they present the Tarantella, a traditional form of dance from southern Italy.

Frank Spadone

June 11 | 18:00 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Get ready to laugh like nobody’s watching during the hilarious Frank Spadone’s comedy performance taking place on the Main Stage at Ottawa Italian Week!

Opera Recital

June 11 | 19:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

You won’t want to miss three performances of opera favourites – arias, duets, and quartets – performed by members of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio! Join us at the main stage to hear these talented singers.

ALAMUSIC

June 11 | 20:30 | Main Stage – 301 Preston Street

Stick around at our main stage to hear the stylings of ALAMUSIC. Blending house and disco grooves, she brings a unique flavour to the stage. ALAMUSIC is sure to get you fired up and dancing during her set!

Bandabardò

June 11 | 22:00 | Main Stage – Preston Street

Bandabardò is an Italian folk band from Florence. Since 1993, they’ve had numerous hits and have toured around the world!

 

Notice of Filming and Photography When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.

 

Details

Start:
June 9 @ 4:00 pm
End:
June 11 @ 11:30 pm
Cost:
Free

Venue

Little Italy
Preston Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N7
Ottawa, K1S 4N7 CA