Italian Festival Returns to Port Washington for Four Days of Food and Entertainment (UPDATED) September 10-13, 2026
PORT WASHINGTON, NY – A longtime North Shore tradition will return this September when the annual Italian Festival takes over North Hempstead Beach Park from Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Organized by the John Michael Marino Lodge No. 1389 of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, the four-day festival will bring Italian food, pastries, live entertainment, carnival rides, midway games, shopping vendors, fireworks, and a display of Italian sports cars to Port Washington.
Four Days of Italian Food and Entertainment
The waterfront festival combines an Italian cultural celebration with the attractions of a community carnival. Visitors can enjoy food tents, nightly entertainment, amusement rides, midway games, specialty vendors, and activities for different ages throughout the four-day event.
The festival is scheduled to operate from 6 to 11 PM on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11. Hours for Saturday and Sunday, along with the complete 2026 entertainment schedule, are expected to be announced closer to the event.
Two of the festival’s signature weekend attractions are also scheduled to return. A fireworks display will take place on Saturday night, while Italian sports cars will be displayed on Sunday.
A Taste of Italy in Port Washington
Food is one of the main attractions at the annual festival. The lodge’s food tents are expected to serve Italian favorites including pasta fagioli, baked ziti, meatball heroes, eggplant parmesan, and rice balls.
Additional food vendors will offer sausage and peppers, pizza, tacos, and other traditional festival foods. Visitors with a sweet tooth can stop at the pastry tent for cannoli and other Italian pastries, along with cappuccino, espresso, regular coffee, and freshly prepared zeppole.
Carnival Rides, Games, and Vendors
Blue Sky Amusements will provide the carnival rides for the 2026 festival. A variety of attractions and midway games are expected to be available for children, teenagers, and adults during the event.
Visitors will also find merchandise vendors selling jewelry and other products. Admission charges, ride prices, and information about any unlimited-ride wristbands had not yet been announced when the festival was initially listed.
Supporting Scholarships and Local Charities
The Italian Festival is more than a seasonal celebration. It serves as an important fundraiser for scholarships and charitable awards distributed by the John Michael Marino Lodge and its affiliated foundation.
Money raised through previous festivals has helped the lodge award more than 460 scholarships to high school students. The organization has also supported local groups including the Port Washington Ambulance Fund, Port Washington Library Foundation, Port Youth Activities, the Port Washington-Manhasset chapter of CancerCare, veterans organizations, and the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society.
The lodge also supports educational and cultural programs intended to preserve Italian-American history, heritage, and traditions on Long Island.
Location, Admission, and Parking
The festival will be held at North Hempstead Beach Park, located at 175 West Shore Road in Port Washington. The event typically takes place in the park’s large waterfront parking area, where there is room for food tents, rides, entertainment, vendors, and festival crowds.
Admission prices, parking charges, ride costs, and other purchasing information for 2026 remain to be announced. Visitors should check the organizer’s website before traveling, particularly for updated hours, weather-related changes, ride promotions, and the final entertainment schedule.
Key Facts and Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Annual Italian Festival |
| Dates | Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Published Hours | Thursday and Friday from 6 to 11 PM; weekend hours to be announced |
| Location | North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington |
| Organizer | John Michael Marino Lodge No. 1389 |
| Food | Italian dishes, festival foods, pastries, cannoli, coffee drinks, and zeppole |
| Attractions | Carnival rides, midway games, live entertainment, vendors, Saturday fireworks, and Sunday Italian sports-car display |
| Admission and Rides | Prices to be announced |
| Beneficiaries | Student scholarships, charitable awards, and community organizations |
The annual Italian Festival gives residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy Italian food, entertainment, carnival attractions, and waterfront festivities while supporting scholarships and charitable programs throughout the Port Washington community. Additional details about the 2026 schedule are expected to be released as the September festival approaches.
Festival details are subject to change. For the latest schedule, admission information, and event announcements, visit the John Michael Marino Lodge website.
