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.
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
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
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.