One of Australia’s biggest outdoor festivals plans to go even bigger this year, with more Italian street decor, entertainment and food.
Leichhardt, Australia | 18 September 2026 — The Norton Street Italian Festa will be celebrating its 40th year running on Sunday, 25 October 2026, from 10am until 5pm. It’s happening on Norton Street in Leichhardt, spanning 800 metres from Marion Street to William Street, and includes part of Pioneers Memorial Park.
What’s new about the 40th
To mark the occasion, The Leichhardt Collective, the local not-for-profit group who organise Festa, have several additions lined up. These include visual enhancements for Norton Street by ColourBomb Decor, who will provide Italian-themed bunting, street flags and more. And significantly more music than previous years.
Adam Allgaier from The Collective said, “The thing we feel Festa needs more of is music. People can come and enjoy some of the best Italian food here. And I think they should have the option to enjoy some of the best Italian music while they’re at it. That would make this even more of a cultural celebration.”
The Collective have added an Italian music DJ to the middle of Festa, where some of the most sought after food stalls are located. As well as a new music stage at the north end of Festa, which will feature Italian-themed songs by the NSW police band, opera by the Australian tenor Matthew Reardon (who has performed solo at the
Sydney Opera House), and Italian classics by film score composer and veteran recording artist Phillip Johnston and his trio. As last year, Italian community group CoAsIt will run their main stage next to Leichhardt Town Hall. This year the group will enlist performer, comedian, TV-radio presenter and producer James Liotta as MC, to give the stage more energy and continuity.
Acts include Sydney-based Italian jazz duo Majazzter, and globally touring vocalist David Pacini, who’s flying in from Italy to perform at Festa. Festa 2026 will bring back more of what attendees loved
More than 170 stalls will line Norton street, offering a variety of food, drinks, handmade wares, apparel, accessories, books, activities and more.
Attendees can expect exceptional pizza (in many varieties), gnocchi, pasta, panzerotti, cannoli, gelato, porchetta paninis, grilled octopus and so much more. There will also be tastings of Italian wines and spirits, and flavourful Italian-inspired soft drinks.
The event will include exhibits from well-known local Leichhardt favorites like Bar Italia, Dom Panino, Capriccio, Il Cugino, Locantro, and Mezzapica Cakes. As well as wider-known Sydney chefs who command incredible presence like celebrity chef Luca Ciano, Danilo Rossello from Bella Sicily, Tony Sabia from Puntino Catering, and Paolo Gatto from Sydcily.
The Royal Hotel will expand their bar space onto the street again this year, with world-renowned celebrity Chef Remy Davis, who will be preparing Mediterranean favorites for onlookers to enjoy.
In addition to unique culinary experiences, there will be unique merchandise offerings. Adam from The Collective remarked on what makes Festa a worthwhile outing: “One of the things I love about Festa, is that it brings together so many stalls that have unique offerings you can only get at rare events like this.”
He went on to mention several members of the Italian community who made their own wares by hand, including Coaster Stories, who design and make coasters and unique Italian playing cards, and The Italian Flame, who make Italian-themed scented candles.
Festa will make for a family-friendly Sunday outing
Pioneers Memorial Park will have several amusement rides for children of all ages, including classics like tea cups, inflatable slides and swinging chairs.
More kid’s entertainment will be found on-street, with face painting, caricature drawings, children’s apparel and accessories, a hair braiding and miniature manicure stand, and more. Also in the park will be AutoFesta, the classic Italian car show by the Italian Made Social Motoring Club. It will be a showcase of rare cars and motorcycles from Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Ducati, Vespa and more.
General Festa information
Norton Street Festa began in 1986 when the Capuchin Priests at St Fiacres Church in Leichhardt wanted to replicate the religious festivals of Italy. Leichhardt was (and still is) a hub of Italian culture in Sydney, making the event an annual showcase of authentic Italian cuisine, entertainment and craft.
Today the event is organised by the community, led by The Leichhardt Collective with Co.As.It and Viva Leichhardt, with the support of the Commonwealth Government, Multicultural NSW and the Inner West Council and generous sponsors. As of 2025, Leichhardt officially embraced its reputation as Sydney’s “Little Italy” by officially rebranding the suburb. The local business chamber, Viva Leichhardt, have since undertaken a number of initiatives to make the area even more of an Italian cultural hub. Including funding and launching a new Italian cultural street mural, running the Taste The Music festival (which was held in June 2026), supporting the new Italian Teatro theatre, and more. For more information about Festa 2026, visit the official site here. For a partial list of Festa exhibitors, visit the stall listing here. For more information about Little Italy Sydney, visit the official site here.
For any inquiries, contact The Leichhardt Collective at: theleichhardtcollective@gmail.com
