To Do Today: Saint Anthony’s Feast in the North End
This religious festival celebrates the best of Italian American culture and cuisine
Photo courtesy of Saint Anthony’s Feast
To Do Today: Saint Anthony’s Feast in the North End
This religious festival celebrates the best of Italian-American culture and cuisine
What?
Saint Anthony’s Feast, a celebration of Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy, with parades, Catholic religious services, performances, and delicious Italian American food.
When?
August 22 to 25: Thursday, 5 to 9 pm; Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 9 pm.
Where?
Endicott, Thacher, and North Margin Streets in Boston’s North End.
How much?
All entertainment is free and open to the public. Vendors will be selling food and drinks, so be sure to bring cash, as not all vendors accept credit card payments.
Why should I go?
Early in the 20th century, Boston’s North End became home to scores of immigrants from southern Italy. Throughout the years, this Boston neighborhood’s roots to Italy have only strengthened, making it a hub of Italian culture, cuisine, and traditions. There’s one tradition, though, that draws visitors from all over the Northeast: Saint Anthony’s Feast. Since 1919, San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc. (a local nonprofit started by a group of men from the small Italian mountain town of Montefalcione) has honored Saint Anthony of Padua with a massive festival during the weekend of the last Sunday of August.
The feast—New England’s largest and dubbed the “feast of all feasts” by National Geographic—pays homage to Saint Anthony (the patron saint of lost items, sailors, and fishermen) and Saint Lucy (patron saint of the blind) with religious services culminating in a Catholic mass at Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Church, followed by a Grand Procession, with a statue of Saint Anthony, marching bands, and floats, through the streets of the North End.
Food takes center stage at the festival, with nearly 100 street vendors serving up delicious Italian American delicacies, some a staple of the feast for nearly two decades. Try some crispy fried calamari, creamy arancini (Sicilian fried risotto), and the staples—delicious pizzas and pastas. Don’t forget to finish your meal with a cannoli or gelato, and an espresso. If you’d rather sit down for a meal, the North End has a great selection of al fresco dining options, like Saint Anthony’s Beer Garden and Ducali and Filippo Ristorante. Aside from food, vendors will sell handmade crafts, gifts, and shirts, and performers will fill the streets with live music and entertainment.
Check out the weekend’s full schedule here.
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