Thirty-six years in and the Memphis Italian Festival is still one of the best weekends of the year. The festivities are already underway at Marquette Park, with this Friday and Saturday bringing the biggest crowds of the weekend.
Come hungry. Pasta, pizza, Italian sausage, meatballs, cannoli and more are spread across the grounds, with cooking demonstrations running throughout the day. Luigi’s Café and Luigi’s Market are fan favorites for a reason.
Then there’s the grape stomp, one of Memphis’s most joyful traditions, where competitors climb into barrels and crush grapes the old-fashioned way. Teams compete for honors including Best Booth, Best Gravy, and the beloved Best Powder Room, with fabulously decorated tents lining the grounds.
Families will find rides and games in Luigi Land, plus live music on both the Main Stage and Acoustic Stage from afternoon into the evening.
The festival runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Marquette Park. Admission is $20 for adults. Children 10 and under and active military with ID get in free.
