By Chris Gomez | Little Italy News
Little Italy is plentiful of annual traditions. The urban neighborhood is constantly evolving — always creating new ways for the community and its visitors to make lasting memories.
The 48 square blocks that make up Little Italy are known for a busy October calendar and this year, guests and community members can expect the return of Little Italy’s Bulls of Sant’Agata Charge Little Italy, as well as a neighborhood favorite, “Trick-or-Treat on India Street.”
An event that will skip this year’s calendar is San Diego’s Little Italy FESTA!
The Little Italy Association of San Diego has bid farewell to the long-standing annual event and will be taking a gap year in 2017 as they gear up to launch a brand new event, Solo Italiano, a luxury Italian festival that will supersede the Little Italy FESTA! in 2018.
Although we will all have to wait another year to experience Solo Italiano, San Diego’s Little Italy still has you covered this October, with two fun events that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
Run with the bulls
On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Little Italy Association, Symbolic International, Lamborghini La Jolla, and the Lamborghini Club America, proudly present the annual Bulls of Sant’Agata Charge Little Italy.
Just head down to West Fir Street, between Kettner Boulevard and India Street, for a night of musical entertainment and revved-up engines. From 6 to 11 p.m., more than 40 classic and rare “Italian Bulls” (otherwise known as Lamborghinis) will fill the streets of Little Italy for the community to enjoy.
Halloween in Little Italy
Halloween is also near and on Friday, Oct. 27, little ones will take over the streets of Little Italy at the 11th annual Trick-or-Treat on India Street!
Get ready to see little kiddos dressed up as goblins and ghouls trick-or-treating along historic India Street, as Little Italy businesses open their doors to pass out candy for a safe, authentic trick-or-treating experience.
Maps of the businesses handing out treats and participating in Trick-or-Treat on India Street will be available to pick up at the Piazza Basilone, where the event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and go until 7:30 p.m.
More about Solo Italiano
The inaugural Solo Italiano event will take place in the brand new Piazza della Famiglia in October of 2018.
Solo Italiano will offer guests a true authentic Italian experience in San Diego’s Little Italy, while helping raise funds for the association to continue its efforts to enhance and preserve the history and charm of the community.
Guests can expect a weekend-long celebration featuring an exclusive family-style dinner called Solo Italiano: Dinner in Rosso, to be held Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, and a luxury Italian festival featuring only Italian products, Solo Italiano, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
At Dinner in Rosso, guests will be encouraged to wear red for this one-of-a-kind curated Tuscan dining experience, featuring flowing Italian food all evening, sips of Italian beverages, strolling entertainment, and interactive performances in the new Piazza della Famiglia.
The following day, the Solo Italiano festival will span more than five city blocks within the neighborhood — with each block representing different regions of Italy: Tuscany, Milan, Rome and Sicily — along with a beer and wine garden and a Bambino area for kids. The festival will transport guests to Italy to experience these different regions of the boot-shaped country, all while staying in the vibrant Little Italy neighborhood — immersing attendees in each region’s signature experiences, novelties, live entertainment and distinct culture.
To learn more about Solo Italiano, visit soloitalianosd.com, or to stay connected with the neighborhood and find out more about our community events, visit littleitalysd.com. Stay connected with all things happening in the neighborhood by following us on Instagram and Twitter @LittleItalySD and Facebook.com/LittleItalySD.
—Christopher Gomez has been Little Italy’s district manager since 2000. Reach him at [email protected].
