If you are lucky enough to reside in the Electra, you already appreciate its great location in the Columbia District, right next to Little Italy. And one of the highlights of Little Italy is the Mercato, the open-air farmers’ market, Every Saturday from 9 am to 1:30 pm, Date and India Streets are packed with over 100 booths featuring the freshest produce, herbs, flowers, eggs, cheese and meats, to name a few. But we are just getting started – look for these features as well:
- Purveyors – freshly caught fish and shellfish, all sorts of breads, sauces, condiments, various pastas, coffees from around the world and delectable pastries from local bakeries.
- Plants – bouquets, blossoms (including orchids), live plants, funeral flowers
- Dining – Italian specialties, Thai food, crepes, smoothies, coffee drinks, and local favorites from several of Little Italy’s famous restaurant scene.
- Live Music – international live music.
- Gifts – check out the stretch from State Street to Union for a variety of gift booths featuring the work of local artisans and craftsmen.
- Pet Supplies – The Pet Place at Date Street near Amici Park hosts booths that sell natural pet foods and accessories. A great place to bring your dog!
Little Italy also plays host to a number of annual events, including:
- Little Italy Carnevale – annually on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, the carnevale features a Venetian mask event and live entertainment. You can participate in the open house offered by retail shops and restaurants in the area.
- Art Walk – a blockbuster event in April that attracts over 120,000 visitors to look at and buy paintings, photographs, jewelry, furniture, and lots more. This is the largest art event on the West Coast.
- Taste of Little Italy – this comes around twice a year, in May and November. It features a paid sampling of food from over 20 local restaurants, proceeds going to a local charity.
- Little Italy Festa – if you can’t attend the Italian street festivals in New York City, you can get the same experience at the Festa, in which over 150 booths feature Italian foods and crafts. You can be entertained at three live stages, enjoy art at the Gesso Italiano Street Painting Festival, watch stickball and bocce, and imbibe your favorite beverage at the beer and wine gardens.
When you live in the Electra, you suddenly feel you are an honorary Italian, no matter from where you hail. Electra truly is a hip, happening place.