A celebration of Italian culture is coming to Lancashire this weekend.
Lancaster City centre is set for an Italian-themed takeover this weekend as Lancaster Festa Italia returns with two days of live entertainment, food, drink and family attractions organised by Totally Local Lancaster.
The free event will run on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, with organisers promising music, dance, street food, vehicle displays and a celebration of Italian culture in the heart of the city.
The event idea came from Bruno Buccelli, with Paul Cusimano and Victoria Muir also involved through Totally Local Lancaster.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Mr Buccelli said: "Lancaster Festa Italia is a celebration of everything we love about Italian culture, from authentic food and music to family traditions and community spirit.
"We are proud to bring a little piece of Italy to the heart of Lancaster and welcome everyone to experience the passion, flavour and warmth of our heritage."
The opening night, billed as "Serenade in the Square", will take place in Market Square on Saturday, with free entry and performances from opera singer Leigh Rhiannon Coggins, Boogie Bill’s Billionaires and Stevie Kay’s Frank Sinatra tribute.
The main Festa Italia day follows on Sunday, May 24, beginning in Market Square at 12pm with free entry.
Its programme includes live performances from Voce Tenors Quartet, Punchinello children’s entertainment, Leigh Rhiannon Coggins, The Dance Hub Lancaster and Stevie Kay, with stalls and street food running throughout the day on Market Street.
Visitors can also expect a Lambretta parade and display on Church Street from 11.30am, a Ducati display from 12pm and a turnaround circus act on Market Street from 12pm.
Stalls listed in the official programme include Vintage Box Bar, Buccelli’s, Provino, Dal Fiorentino, Renato’s Naples Street Food, The Hoof, Pren Bottle & Tap, Pistachio and Moore, Marcella’s Limoncello and a bath bomb face painter stall.
Festival publicity describes Festa Italia as a celebration of Italian culture, music, food, cars and fun, with support from Love Lancaster BID and Lancaster City Council, among others.
Sponsors named on the event material include The Dance Hub Lancaster, Buccelli’s Lancaster, CQS, Red Rose Rising, Del Vigna, Mio Gelato, Joseph and Co and GelaRto.
Lancaster and Italy share a connection that stretches back nearly two millennia. The city owes its very existence to Roman occupation, with the Romans establishing a fort on the hill above the River Lune, the site of Lancaster Castle today, around 79 AD.
The name Lancaster derives from the River Lune and the Old English word "ceaster", itself taken from the Latin "castra", meaning military camp; translating broadly as "the Roman fort on the Lune."
That Roman heritage laid the foundations of what became one of the North West's most historic cities, and the Italian connection has never truly faded.
In more recent times, Lancaster has built a thriving community with strong Italian ties, reflected in the independent Italian businesses, restaurants and delis that have become part of the city's fabric.
Festa Italia, the brainchild of Bruno Buccelli and brought to life by Totally Local Lancaster, taps into that deep-rooted relationship — bringing the warmth, flavour and passion of Italy back to the streets where the Romans once marched.
