40th Annual Houston Italian Festival

Celebrate Italy's rich culture and traditions at the Houston Italian Festival, and celebrate 40 years of the festival! The Houston Italian Festival will be held on the grounds of the University of St. Thomas, Oct. 11- 14. 

This year's festival includes:

• Live Music and Performances by DJ Italia, The Fab 5, the Houston International Dancing group, the Tarantellas Italian Folk dance group, Amanda Pascali and The Family, Radio Live, the nation's top Italian tenor Aaron Caruso, and the Scuola di Fabris Historical Duelist Corps
• Wine and beer tastings
• Film screenings
• Cooking classes for children
• Italian language classes
• Marionette puppet shows
• Interactive sidewalk art produced live by artist Carol Wells
• Pasta eating contests, grape stomps, and a bocce ball tournament
• Classic Car Show

Proceeds from the Houston Italian Festival benefit severl local non-profits including the ICCC, the Italian language school, scholarships and many cultural events presented for the public each year. 

The Houston Italian Festival is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. 

Admission is free Thursday all day and Friday until 4 (after 4:00 pm Friday, admission is $8 for adults and free for children under 12). Discounted admission tickets are available online for $6. Reservations for festival activities, advance online tickets, and food and beverage packages can be bought online.