OTTAWA, May 25: Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Italian culture! One of the nation’s capital’s most anticipated events, Italian Week returns, bringing 11 days of unforgettable experiences from June 11-21, 2026.
This beloved community festival celebrates the rich Italian heritage woven into the fabric of Ottawa.
Experience this wondrous journey through Italian culture, where you can forget about their World Cup qualification woes and:
• Embrace the Italian spirit – Take part in cultural activities, masterclasses and family-friendly events!
• Unwind under the Italian sky (well, almost) – Enjoy the festive atmosphere on Preston Street with live
entertainment, delicious food, and a chance to mingle with fellow Italian culture enthusiasts.
Here are some special highlights to look forward to:
• Meet Me in Little Italy Masterclass Series: Sign up for unique culinary experiences featuring Italian summer cocktails on June 12, an intimate gourmet dinner experience on June 15, and a gnocchi hands-on cooking class on June 16.
Chef Cristian Lepore is back this year with two culinary experiences you don’t want to miss!
Join us for a four-course gourmet dinner on June 15, unlike anything else in Ottawa. This will be an intimate and interactive culinary experience as Chef Lepore prepares each course live, while offering insight into cooking techniques, local ingredients, and culinary approach.
• For those who like to get their hands dirty, our gnocchi-making masterclass on June 16 is for you! Chef Cristian will teach and guide you through the process of making gnocchi. Simple and fun to prepare, this class is suitable for all skill levels. Experience is not required.
• 90s Italian Disco: Travel with us back in time for a night of drinks, dancing, and music: Italian style on June 13.
• Pizza Crawl in Little Italy: Nhom, nhom! Eat your way through Little Italy and embark on a journey through Ottawa’s vibrant Italian-Canadian history, culture, and community on June 14.
• Grand Finale Weekend (June 19-21): It’s a street party on Preston Street, including Italian Week Kids Zone activities, Lambretta & Vespa Community Activation Village, and more.
This is merely a taste of what awaits you at Ottawa’s Italian Week 2026! Whether you have Italian roots, a passion for Italian culture, or simply a desire to experience something new, we promise an unforgettable journey.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate la dolce vita (the good life) in Ottawa!
Full festival schedule is available online at www.italianweekottawa.ca.
Here is a brief breakdown of the Italian Week Schedule:
June 11 – Flag Raising Ceremony
Join in for the formal kickoff of Italian Week 2026 with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe will recognize Italian Week Ottawa with a proclamation, and then we’ll raise the Italian Week Ottawa Flag!
June 11 – Italian Highlights from the Collections of the National Gallery of Canada
Join Italian Week Interpreters for a guided visit to some of the Gallery’s exceptional Italian art works. The 30-minute tours will start at 5:30pm (ITALIAN), 6:15 pm (ENGLISH), and 7:00pm (FRENCH).
June 12 – Italian Cocktails Masterclass
For those who prefer the aperitivo side of things, we are bringing you a cocktail-making class led by mixologists Erica and Hailey Martin of Bevi Bar Co. The dynamic sister duo will guide participants through the creation of three summer-inspired Italian cocktails and mocktails, sharing recipes, tips, techniques, and their passion for craft mixology along the way.
June 13 – Discoteca: 90s Italian Dance Party
Get ready to groove all night to the best 90s Italian disco vibes and dance like nobody’s watching! We’re hosting a dance party like no other… go back in time for a night of drinks, dancing, and music: Italian style.
June 14 – Preston Street Criterium
Get ready for a heart-pumping day of cycling action at Bike Race Ottawa! Preston Street will transform into a thrilling racecourse featuring events for all ages and skill levels. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness some of the best cycling action in town!
June 14 – Feast of St. Anthony Mass and Procession
This annual event to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony occurs on the second Sunday in June and includes an outdoor mass on the steps of St. Anthony’s Church, followed by a procession.
June 14 – Little Italy Pizza Crawl
Italian Week Ottawa is excited to partner with Giovanni’s Snack Bar, Joe’s Italian Kitchen, Schoolhouse Pizza, and Farinella for this guided Pizza Crawl through the neighbourhood. Eat your way through Little Italy while exploring the rich history, culture, and community that have shaped Ottawa’s Italian-Canadian experience.
June 15 – Gourmet Dinner Experience
Chef Cristian Lepore from CIBUS is back with a four-course gourmet dinner. Enjoy an intimate and interactive culinary experience as Chef Lepore prepares each course live, while offering insight into cooking techniques, local ingredients, and culinary approach. Check out our website for the full menu and other details!
June 16 – Gnocchi Cooking Class . For those who want to get their hands dirty, Chef Lepore will be teaching a gnocchi-making class, where you will get to make your own gnocchi and sample the fruits of your labour!
June 17 – Queer Italian Voices: Italian-Canadian Writers Today
Join in for an evening of poetry with writer, spoken word artist, and filmmaker Liana Cusmano, followed by a discussion moderated by Jessica Carpinone, queer writer and co-owner of Bready By Us bakery, offering space for reflection, dialogue, and conversation about art, identity, and belonging. This event will be preceded by a Books and Biscotti event brought to you by the Association of Italian-Canadian Writers, Bread By Us, and Accenti Magazine, in collaboration with Italian Week Ottawa.
June 18 – Heritage Event: Spotlight on Emilia-Romagna
Can’t quite make it to Italy this summer? No worries, join in the fun, walk-about wine and food tasting featuring iconic flavours of Emilia-Romagna!
June 19-21 – Grand Finale Weekend
Welcome to the most exciting weekend of the year – the street party celebrations of the Ottawa Italian Festival! Get ready to be immersed in the sights, sounds, and flavours of Italy as we end this year’s festivities in style on the streets of Ottawa’s Little Italy!
This year Italian Week is thrilled to introduce the Lambretta & Vespa Community Activation Village, where visitors can explore Italian scooter culture through a hands‑on, intergenerational experience focused on education, craftsmanship, safety, creativity, and family‑friendly engagement.
Tickets to the masterclasses event must be purchased in advance and are selling quickly!
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