Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church will host its 29th Annual Italian Festival from Thursday, May 14 through Saturday, May 16 at the church campus on Munn Road East, with three days of food, live entertainment, contests and family activities open to the community.
The festival, organized by parishioners and powered by more than 600 volunteers, has grown into one of the area’s largest annual community gatherings. Pastor Father Fabio Refosco, C.O., described it as a celebration of faith, heritage and community, inviting families and friends to “gather to cook, eat, drink, dance, sing and show everyone how to be an Italian at heart.”
Schedule and Hours
The festival opens Thursday, May 14 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with an Opening Night Celebration. Inside the Parish Center, food service runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with pianist Ethan Uslan performing at 5 p.m. Outdoor festivities include a beer tasting with Amor Artis Brewing on the gated patio at 5 p.m., Swing Time on the outdoor stage at 6 p.m., a wine tasting with The Wine Shop at Rivergate at 7 p.m., and the James Delco Band at 7 p.m.
Friday, May 15 features Community Fun Night with lunch service from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner service from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Indoor entertainment includes Ethan Uslan on piano at 5 p.m. and Alex Goldman on accordion at 6:30 p.m. The outdoor stage lineup features Last Exit at 5 p.m., The Right Ratio at 6:30 p.m. and the Tide Brothers at 7:45 p.m. The Children’s Benvenuti Parade steps off from the church main entrance at 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and packs the schedule with all day activities. The Cannoli 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk kicks off at 9 a.m., followed by Family Fun Hour at 11 a.m., Time 4 Jazz at 11:45 a.m., a Dance U performance at 12:45 p.m. and the Holy Macaroni Cornhole Tournament at 1 p.m. The afternoon features Southern Fried Guys at 1:45 p.m., the Brews Brothers at 3 p.m., Bennie’s Bingo Bonanza at 3:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus Charitable Drawing at 5 p.m., the Nation Ford High School Jazz Band at 5:30 p.m., the Italian Festival Live Auction at 6 p.m. and Hey L80’s closing the festival at 7:15 p.m.
Food, Auctions and Contests
Festival organizers said more than 20 Italian specialties will be served across the weekend. Other featured events include live and silent auctions, the Knights of Columbus Charitable Drawing, the Cannoli Run, the Holy Macaroni Cornhole Tournament, Bennie’s Bingo Bonanza, a children’s Fun Zone, and a marketplace of artisans and merchants.
Location and Information
Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church is located at 292 Munn Road East, Fort Mill, SC 29715. The parish office can be reached at 803.548.7282. Cannoli Run registration is available through RunSignup, and volunteer sign ups remain open through the festival website.
Sources: Saint Philip Neri Italian Festival official website (https://spnitalianfestival.com) and 2026 Schedule of Events (https://spnitalianfestival.com/schedule/).
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