We officially said goodbye to the summer of 2026. I’ll be honest, I used to love the fall. To me it meant back to school, marching band, and day trips to enjoy the leaves. Now? It means we are creeping ever closer to the winter, my least favorite season, and darkness by 4pm. However, there is one bright spot in the fall – Italian Heritage Month.
Upcoming Italian Heritage Month Events
There are a wide variety of upcoming events during October. From the educational, to the spiritual, to the fun, there is something for every taste.
Book Lecture at Montclair Library
On October 1st, at the Montclair Bellevue Avenue Branch, Gina Miele, author of Italian Folklore Rituals, Celebrations, and Ancient Traditions and Mark Rotella, Director of The Coccia Institute will discuss the Italian Experience in America.
Special Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Celebrate our Italian Catholic traditions in prayerful reflection on Saturday, October 3 at 5pm for the 3rd Annual Mass at the of the Italian Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark, honoring the Religious Teachers Filippini. Tickers for the celebratory dinner are now officially sold out and last minute tickets will not be available at the door, however, the mass is a beautiful event and I highly recommend it!
Nella Piazza
Enjoy an afternoon of Italian and Italian American music, folk dance, and song featuring Coro d’Italia in their 94th anniversary season, and other guest artists. Nella Piazza will take place on Sunday, October 4 at 3:00 PM at the Choice Community Center at 45 Maple Avenue in Montclair.
Book Launch
Wednesday, October 7th, at Montclair State University, Jason Horowitz, former New York Times Rome Bureau Chief, is launching his book The Italian Job. Jason will share a conversation with Mark Rotella, director of the Coccia Institute and Martina Santia, Assistant Professor of Political Communication. This event will take place in the College of Communication and Media, Presentation Hall, at 6pm. RSVP is requested.
Out of Mt. Rushmore’s Shadow, Chief Carver Luigi Del Bianco
Storyteller Lou Del Bianco portrays his grandfather, Luigi Del Bianco, and talks about his unsung contribution as chief carver on our nation’s great memorial, Mount Rushmore. Lou Del Bianco uses authentic photos, timelines and primary source documents to bring Luigi’s story to life, an Italian immigrant and chief carver of Mount Rushmore. What will definitely be a fascinating lecture will take place October 13 at 6:30pm at the Roxbury Library. This is a free event, but registration is recommended.
127th Annual Feast of St. Gerard
Experience one of Newark’s most beloved traditions as generations come together for the 127th Annual Feast of St. Gerard Maiella at Saint Lucy’s Church, 118 Seventh Avenue. The feast begins on October 15th and runs through October 18th. There are special blessings and masses every day, as well as live entertainment, food, and of course, the daily procession. Whether St. Gerard has been part of your family for generations or this will be your very first feast, come experience what has kept this tradition alive for 127 years.
Teaching Italian Symposium/Workshops XIX
Registration is now open for Lingue geniali: creare e collaborare, the annual professional development program for teachers of Italian, organized by the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America. The event will be held on Friday, October 16, from 9:00am-3:30pm in the University Hall Conference Center on the 7th floor at Montclair State University. Make sure to register in order to ensure your spot at TI19 and to prioritize your requests for participation in two of the four featured workshops.
Lecture at the Montclair Public Library
Join in on a lively evening of stories and conversation about Italian American identity, traditions, language, food, memories, and family life. This is an opportunity to share, laugh, and reflect together. This is a free event, but a reservation is suggested. The lecture will take place at the Bellevue Avenue Branch of the Montclair Public Library at 185 Bellevue Avenue on October 20 at 6pm.
Italian flag raisings in Newark
There are not one, but two flag raisings in Newark in October! Join the Ironbound community at Five Corners for a special Italian Flag Raising Ceremony as the community comes together to celebrate the rich history, culture, traditions, and contributions of the Italian community to Newark and beyond. The flag raising will take place Friday, October 23 at 5pm at the corner of Ferry Street & Wilson Avenue. The Ironbound has always been a neighborhood shaped by generations of immigrants who brought with them their traditions, strong family values, entrepreneurial spirit, and hopes for a better future. The Italian-American community is an important part of that story and of the diverse cultural heritage that makes Newark so special.
A second flag raising will take place at Newark City Hall Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 pm and is sponsored by Apostolato Italiano Arcidiocesi di Newark and Sister Cities Newark Spilinga to kick off Italian heritage month. Ferdinando Palumbo is being honored as an Italian American of Merit by the city for his tireless efforts in the beautification of the city of Newark through his efforts in the Monsignor Ambrosio Memorial garden. Mark Rotella, Director of the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America and acclaimed author, is being honored as an Italian American of Merit as well.
NJIHC Annual Congress
The New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission has announced the 2026 Annual Congress on Saturday, October 24, at the Rutgers University Student Center on College Avenue in New Brunswick. This year’s Congress will center on the theme, “Celebrating the 250th of American Independence: The Italian Influence & Legacy,” highlighting the profound impact of Italian and Italian American individuals, ideas, and cultural traditions on the founding and continued development of the United States.
More Events Taking Place!
These are only a few of the many events taking place all over the state! We all learned to be proud of our collective heritage. If we want to see our heritage celebrated long into the future, make sure to share events and information with your friends and family and show your support!
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