Festa Italiana returns to Howard Smith Wharves from 29 May to 1 June and 5 to 8 June. Weekday festivities begin at 3:00 pm and 11:00 am on weekends, featuring pasta, porchetta and spritzes alongside local entertainment and community activities.
Festival Dates and What to Expect
The free festival will run across two long weekends, from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June and again from Thursday 5 June to Sunday 8 June, bringing a flavour-packed celebration to the city’s riverfront precinct.
Opening at 3:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and from 11:00 am on weekends, the event is free and designed for all ages and is expected to attract families, food lovers and locals from across Brisbane.
A Taste of Naples in Brisbane City
Guest chef Orazio D’Elia, of Sydney’s Da Orazio, brings Naples-inspired dishes to the festival, including brick-pressed chicken rolls, porchetta focaccia and prawn pasta. Festival drinks include a Felons Italian Lager brewed just for the event and spritzes like Lambrusco and frozen peach Aperol.
Carmine Guarino, a Napoli-born chef with experience across Rome and Brisbane, will serve Roman-style pizza slices paired with natural Italian wines. Dean Anning, executive chef at the on-site restaurant Ciao Papi, is curating a set menu for seated dining. His dishes will include creamy stracciatella with grilled leeks and rigatoni with pancetta, garlic and chilli.
Food, Fun and Community Atmosphere
Beyond the food, the festival features live music, roaming performers and a kids’ “bambino zone.” The Green House hosts a Salumeria with charcuterie, mozzarella demos and calamari, while Gelato Messina offers a custom dessert made for the event.
The team behind Howard Smith Wharves says they are focused on bringing people together in a relaxed riverside setting. The event has become a highlight on the precinct’s annual calendar, driven by its focus on local partnerships and accessibility for families.
Something for Everyone – Including a Chance to Win
Festival-goers who register on-site can enter a giveaway for a fully electric Rolln Moped, with one winner drawn each weekend. Designed for city streets, the vehicle nods to classic Italian styling and will be on display during the event.
Organisers expect another strong turnout following last year’s success. They describe the festival as a way to enjoy good food, sunshine and a strong sense of community, all set against one of Brisbane’s most scenic backdrops.
Published 5-May-2025
