The story of Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro is the story of how Italian immigrants became American

Italian immigrants used to be accused of clinging too tightly to the Old World. Today, millions gather in Little Italy to celebrate the food, faith and traditions they brought with them.

By: Clare Whitton, University of Oxford, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 17, 2026

Words: 1,482

Last Updated: 22 hours, 57 minutes ago

Body Text Preview

By Clare Whitton, University of Oxford

For two weeks in September, everyone wants to be Italian – at least judging by the crowds at the annual Feast of San Gennaro in New York City’s Little Italy.

Founded in 1926, the largest and longest-running Italian festival in the United States celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, with locals and tourists alike descending upon Mulberry Street in Manhattan to celebrate Italian American culture.

To be sure, …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us