Photo source: italianday.ca

Held annually on the second Sunday of June and identified in the City of Vancouver’s list of Official Observances and Celebrations under June’s Italian Heritage Month umbrella, Italian Day on The Drive is a vibrant cultural street festival celebrating Italian culture, heritage and community. The event includes over 100+ street participants, comprised of partners, vendors, community organizations – and an estimated 300,000 attendees of all ages and cultures. The festival is held on Commercial Drive (The Drive), home to Little Italy, where the street is transformed into a lively 14 block festa. Since Italian Day’s return in 2010, the event today represents the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver. A festive community embrace, The Drive comes alive in with piazza style animated zones, live music, food vendors, patios, lifestyle attractions, family fun activities and more.

The event serves to also honour the history and contributions of Italian immigrants who came to Vancouver with nothing but a suitcase to make a better life for their families. From food to the fine arts, architectural landscape and trades, Italo-Canadians have offered some of Italy’s well known assets in quality workmanship, dedicated work ethic, and passion for family, community and life.

Mangia Bene, Ridi Spesso, Ama Molto
Eat well, Laugh often, Love in Abundance