One of South Philadelphia’s most cherished traditions will once again bring the community together this fall. The Annual St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival returns Sunday, October 5, transforming the 1700 block of South 9th Street into a celebration of faith, food, and culture from noon to 8 p.m.

The festival traces its origins back more than a century to Italian immigrants who founded St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in 1912. The modern version of the celebration began in 1987 as part of the church’s 75th anniversary and has since grown into one of the region’s largest authentic Italian festivals. Each year, thousands of visitors—locals and tourists alike—gather for the festivities on the first Sunday of October.