COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Italian Festival returns for another year and WBNS-10TV is proud to be serving as one of their media sponsors.
The three-day event runs Friday, Oct. 11 - Sunday, Oct. 13 in the streets surrounding St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Here's what you need to know about the 2024 Columbus Italian Festival:
FESTIVAL HOURS
Friday, Oct. 11 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 from noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 13 from noon to 7 p.m.
TICKETS
$10 at the door; free for ages 12 and under with adult admission. Weekend passes are available for $15 and include three general admission tickets (one for Friday, Saturday and Sunday).
You can preorder tickets here.
Free shuttle parking is available at the Columbus State Community College Indoor Parking Garage. The garage is located at 534 East Long Street. There is no surface lot parking this year.
The shuttle buses will be available at the following times:
- Friday - 3:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- Saturday - 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The garage has disability parking spaces, disability elevators and 1,100 parking spaces.
FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT
Lisa Dellarosa: Lisa is a triple-threat singer, dancer and actor who has been a music lover since she was a child. As a professional singer, she specializes in Standards, Oldies, Broadway, Country, Adult Contemporary and Italian favorites by Connie Francis. She also enjoys performing songs from the greats such as Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli and Eydie Gorme.
The Sicilian Tenors with the Rick Brunetto Big Band: The Sicilian Tenors take the audience on a romantic journey from Italy to Hollywood and Broadway with operatic tenor voices singing a wide variety of songs. The group will be accompanied by Rick Brunetto’s 17-piece Orchestra.
The Sensational Soul Brothers Showband and Revue: This Dublin, Ohio-based group is a professional cover band that offers a wide range of music. Specializing in R&B and Soul classics from the 1980 Blues Brothers film, as well as songs from the Blues Brothers 2000 movie, their 1978 concert tour and their appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Sensational Soul Brothers add their own original comedy bits while staying true to the great music of that era.
FESTIVAL MAP & VENDORS
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The date of the first Italian festival was set for the weekend of Sept. 20 and 21 in 1980. The location chosen was the most central and accessible possible, the Lausche Building on the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
In 1999, the Columbus Italian Festival was moved to its current home on the grounds of St. John The Baptist Italian Catholic Church. As one of Columbus’ premier festivals it now annually attracts over 35,000 visitors.
You can read more about the festival's history here.
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