Event Details
The 2026 Avena Maryland Italian Festival, presented by Jarrettsville Furniture and hosted by SIAB, will be held Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27, returning to the grounds of Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.
The fourth annual three-day festival will feature an extensive array of attractions. Highlights include live musical performances throughout the weekend, carnival rides and games, authentic Italian cuisine and beverages, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, as well as numerous retail vendors and performance artists. Guests can also expect the return of VIP villas, appearances by Mario & Luigi, and fireworks on both Friday and Saturday night.
Building on the success of last year’s event, the 2026 festival will introduce an expanded Heritage Village, designed to immerse attendees in an experience inspired by the streets of Italy. Highlights will include a live cooking station, an Italian marketplace and vendors showcasing traditional foods and artisanal goods.
The festival will run until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Military Night will be held on Friday, Sept. 25, and will feature a color guard presentation, a tribute to the Fisher House Foundation—a national nonprofit with headquarters in Rockville, Md. that supports military families—and a performance of the National Anthem. Active-duty service members, veterans and their families will receive 50% off admission.