After eight years away, one of Queensland’s most beloved cultural festivals is back and it’s arriving just in time for Father’s Day. On Sunday, September 7, Festitalia will transform Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds into a vibrant Italian playground of food, music, tradition, and family fun.
More than just a festival, Festitalia is a love letter to Italian culture. It’s a day filled with flavours that remind you of Nonna’s kitchen, music that makes you want to shout “Bravissimo!”, and a joyful atmosphere that embodies the true spirit of Italy — allegria.
A stage full of Italian stars
If you think Italian culture is all about food, think again: Festitalia’s entertainment program reads like a who’s who of Italian performance. Expect the soaring voice of opera star Raffaele Pierno, the foot-stomping folk rhythms of Zumpa, and stunning performances from Divina Opera, Latinissima, Diletta and Dan.
Crowd favourite Youssef Ben Touati will wow with world-class pizza acrobatics—think pizza dough flying high like a circus act—while roaming theatre performances bring Italian street life to Brisbane. Look out for Homunculus Theatre’s Pulcinellas, cheeky masked characters who charm kids and adults alike with their comic antics.
And don’t miss young guitar prodigy Henry Catania, who’ll remind you that Italy’s love of music is alive and thriving in a new generation.
Food that makes Nonna proud
Festitalia is first and foremost a celebration of Italian food—the kind that makes you close your eyes after the first bite. The festival grounds will be packed with wood-fired pizza ovens, handmade pasta stands, espresso bars, gelato carts, and regional specialties that have been passed down through generations.
Of course, the heart of it all is Nonna’s Kitchen. Here you’ll find traditional recipes made with love, the smell of simmering sauces filling the air, and Nonna herself making sure you eat until your plate is clean. (Pro tip: don’t argue. Just eat.)
Pair your pasta with a glass of fine Italian wine, sip on an espresso, or finish with a cheeky limoncello (it’s Father’s Day after all). And for dessert? Smooth, rich gelato that’ll make you forget the word ice cream ever existed.
Games, cars and family fun
Festitalia isn’t just about eating and watching, it’s about getting involved. Families will love the mix of old-school games and new experiences. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo, traditional games, and hands-on activities like fencing lessons with Prima Spada or exploring a Roman military camp.
For the dads, things get competitive (and hilarious). Enter him in the Best Dressed Italian Dad contest, or test his belly against the crowd in the Dad with the Biggest Pancia competition. There’s even Nonna’s Slipper Throw, a nod to the playful family tradition every Italian kid knows well. Winners take home prizes like Merlo Coffee hampers but really, it’s about the bragging rights.
Car enthusiasts will get their fix too, with a vintage Italian car display featuring sleek machines that look like they’ve driven straight from the streets of Rome.
It’s family fun that balances nostalgia, culture, and plenty of laughs.
A celebration of Italian joy
What makes Festitalia special isn’t just the pizza, music, or competitions — it’s the sense of community. Italians have been part of Queensland’s story for generations, shaping everything from agriculture and construction to the state’s cuisine and arts. Towns like Ingham and Stanthorpe still echo with Italian heritage, and Brisbane’s inner north is home to a proud Italo-Australian community.
Festitalia honours those contributions while welcoming everyone, whether you’re Italian by blood, by love, or simply by appetite. It’s a festival that captures the essence of amore (love), famiglia (family), and allegria (joy).
This Father’s Day, swap socks for spaghetti, cologne for cannoli, and ties for tiramisu. Give Dad a gift he’ll never forget: the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy, without leaving Brisbane.
WHAT: Festitalia 2025: Italian cultural festival
WHEN: Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Father’s Day)
WHERE: RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
TICKETS: On sale now at www.festitalia.com.au
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
