St. Ann's Italian Festival Kicks Off 113th Year In Hoboken Friday

HOBOKEN, NJ — Live music returns this year to the six-day St. Ann's Italian Festival, one of Hoboken's most beloved annual events.

The festival kicks off again this Friday, celebrating its 113th year.

The festival was canceled in 2020 during the pandemic, and then slowly has built back, with DJ's providing music last year. This year, the festival will have a full lineup of live acts, including a Chicago tribute band (see the link to the list below).

The festival is well-known enough that it lured Frank Sinatra back to town in 1984 while campaigning with Pres. Ronald Reagan (See Regan's "Remarks At The St. Ann's Festival In Hoboken, NJ" in the Reagan Library here.)

See photos of last year's event here.

This year will include a beer garden, games, rides, raffles, and the famous foods it's known for, including Italian sausages and those fried, doughy zeppole desserts cooked up by the St. Ann's Guild.

Years ago, the festival was listed among national events for tourists, and still has a place on regional summer events lists.

The Schedule

Here is the schedule for the 2023 festival. Check the website, linked below, for updates.

Friday, July 21: 6-11 p.m.
Saturday: 1-11 p.m.
Sunday: 1-11 p.m.
Monday: 6-11 p.m.
Tuesday: 6-11 p.m.
Wednesday: Feast Day Mass, 11 a.m.; followed by procession. Then festival is: 1-11 p.m.

Carrying The Statue

On Wednesday, July 26, after an 11 a.m. mass, a 600-pound statue of St. Ann — the patron saint of women and fertility — will be carried through the streets of Hoboken, as is tradition. After that, the festival kicks off at 1 p.m. for its last day.

The festival takes place on the blocks near St. Ann's Church at Seventh and Jefferson streets, near the center of town.

History Of The Festival

Immigrants from San Giacomo, Italy arrived in Hoboken and founded the St. Ann’s Society
around the turn of the last century. They finished building the church in 1906 and began holding the annual festival in 1910.

The events include the Novena (nine days of prayer and worship) for St. Ann, the Mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. The church holds services to bless those groups. The Novena begins this Monday.

Entertainment Schedule And More

See the schedule of live entertainment, and updates, here.

Find out more about "The Feast" here.

Other Events

The Hoboken Italian Festival, otherwise known as the festival of the Madonna dei Martiri, is also held in Hoboken each year and also has a long history. It will return in September.