Philadelphia’s Italian Market Festival 2025: Everything you need to know

One of Philadelphia’s longest-running festivals takes over South Ninth Street this weekend, bringing food vendors, live music, and shopping to the heart of the Italian Market.

The festival celebrates the market, which is more than 150 years old, and the South Philly community that helped put it on the map. This year’s block party runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, along Ninth Street between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets.

More than 120 vendors will line the streets, and in true Philly fashion, the event features the traditional greased pole-climbing competition — where participants form human pyramids to reach meats and cheeses atop a lard-covered pole.

Here’s what to know before you go:

The festival, which started in 1971, takes place Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

📍 Location: South Ninth Street between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets

☀️ Weather: Expect warm temperatures in the 80s with a 55% chance of rain showers on Saturday and Sunday, according to AccuWeather.

South Ninth Street from Wharton to Fitzwater Streets — and the intersecting blocks within that stretch, including Catharine, Christian, Carpenter, Washington, Ellsworth, and Federal Streets — will be closed during festival hours.

Most restaurants and shops will be open during the festival and will have expanded street-side displays to peruse through with vendors from the neighborhood and beyond.

Some highlights include:

A full list of vendors is available at italianmarketphilly.org/italian-market-festival/vendors.

12 Steps Down Stage: DJ Timmy Desimone, Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Piazza DiBruno: DJ Eric Bartello, Saturday & Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Washington Ave. Stage:

John Marzano Half Ball Tournament: An annual fundraiser for the John Marzano Wood Bat Scout League, this tournament revives the old-school South Philly street game “half ball,” played at Christopher Columbus Charter School (916 Christian St.) on Saturday, May 17, starting at 10 a.m. Teams can register on-site.

Greased Pole Climbing Competition: A fan favorite, the albero della cuccagna challenges teams to climb a 30-foot lard-slicked pole for a chance to win cash, meats, and cheeses. The contest takes place both days at Ninth and Montrose Streets.

Procession of Saints: The annual procession, hosted by St. Paul Parish, begins Sunday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church (712 Montrose St.), proceeds to Ninth and Washington for a market blessing, and ends at St. Paul Catholic Church (923 Christian St.).

The Italian Market is located at Ninth Street and Washington Avenue, which is accessible by walking, biking, public transportation, or driving.

While these are nearby parking lots, expect that they will be packed on festival days. Be prepared to find street parking if driving to the festival.