Summer Renaissance: Italian Day on the Drive is bringing 160 street vendors to Vancouver this weekend

Great news, Vancouver! One of the city’s most beloved food and culture festivals is making a grand return this weekend. So grab your forks and summer hats and get ready to enjoy the best of Vancouver’s Italian scene, because Italian Day on the Drive is officially back after a three-year hiatus!

Following a reduced festival last year, this year’s Italian Day on the Drive is set to transform all 14 blocks of Commercial Drive into a slice of Italy for the day, complete with local vendors, food & wine tasting piazzas, fashion runways, and live music spots.

Visitors can lounge on summer patios with fresh gelato and cannolis, sample a wide variety of pizza and pasta, and even try their hand at making a couple of dishes themselves during live cooking demos and competitions.

This year’s theme is ‘Rinascimento,’ or Renaissance, bringing guests back to the simple pleasures in life: “‘Famiglia, food, wine, music, activities and conversations.”

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Music is also at the heart of Italian Day on the Drive, and this year will be no exception. The event will feature a main stage with live performances from local and Italian artists, including traditional Italian dances and singing. So lace up your dancing shoes if you want to get in on the action!

Another highlight of the street fest is its fashion show, which showcases the latest Italian styles and designs. Visitors can enjoy the show as well as purchase some items to take home as souvenirs!

So there you have it, Vancouver! If you’re in the city between noon and 9 pm on Sunday, June 11th, this is definitely a must-visit.

Italian Day on the Drive 2023

When: Sunday, June 11th
Where: Commercial Drive