KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Italian Fest will return to Celebration Place on the Lake Michigan lakefront September 18 through 20, with organizers promising a bigger second-year celebration featuring more authentic Italian food, expanded entertainment, cultural experiences and a redesigned festival layout.
The Italian American Society of Kenosha launched the festival in 2025 and said thousands of people attended its inaugural year. Organizers said feedback from guests, volunteers, sponsors and vendors helped shape this year’s event.
“Last year showed us just how much our community wanted a festival that celebrates Kenosha’s Italian heritage and brings generations together,” Italian American Society President Marty Pitts said. “We listened closely to what our guests loved and where we could improve.”
One of the biggest changes will be an expanded Italian American Society Food Tent, sponsored by the Natalie & Dennis Troha Family. Organizers said the tent will be three times larger and designed to serve guests more efficiently.
Additional Italian food vendors will be located throughout the festival grounds. An expanded Dessert Tent sponsored by Tenuta’s Deli will feature cannoli, gelato, Italian ice and fried dough.
The festival opens Friday evening with an Opening Mixer in the main Colosseum Tent featuring live music, beer, wine and a limited selection of food from outside vendors.
Saturday and Sunday attractions will include two stages of live music, cooking and food demonstrations, the Kenoshans of Italian Descent and Friends Parade, an expanded Heritage Tent, family activities and other events highlighting Italian and Italian-American traditions.
New additions this year include bocce courts, a Cigar Tent sponsored by Ayra’s Cigar & Liquor and Pitts Brothers & Associates, expanded festival merchandise and changes to the overall festival layout.
Sunday’s schedule will include an outdoor Mass, food demonstrations and the festival’s Grand Raffle Drawing.
“Authenticity is incredibly important to us,” Heritage Tent and Raffle Chair Tina Bonofiglio said. “This festival is about more than enjoying a great plate of Italian food. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Kenosha’s heritage, traditions and stories that have been passed down through generations while welcoming everyone in our community to experience them with us.”
Hundreds of volunteers, businesses, sponsors, entertainers, vendors and community organizations are involved in putting on the festival, according to the Italian American Society.
The Joe & Kathy Madrigrano Family is the festival’s fireworks sponsor. Other major sponsors include Dooley & Associates, Froedtert Hospital, the Natalie & Dennis Troha Family, Tenuta’s Deli, Misurelli Sorensen HVAC and numerous other local families and businesses.
Kenosha Italian Fest 2026
Friday, September 18: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 19: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, September 20: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The festival will be held at Celebration Place on Kenosha’s lakefront.
Daily admission is $5, or attendees can purchase a weekend pass for $10.
