Italian Day Crowd on Commercial

Italian Day on the Drive is an annual street party on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive that includes Italian food, music, festivities and thousands of people.

In 2025 the event happened on Sunday, June 8th. This past year’s theme was “Mille Baci” which means “a thousand kisses.” The exact date for the event in 2026 is to be confirmed.

Another event that happened on the same weekend this past year was Cirque du Soleil‘s Crystal show on ice at the Pacific Coliseum. The circus production ran from June 4th to 8th. Other free events around this time of year include the Shipyards Night Market on the North Shore, Fair in the Square in Vancouver, Doors Open Richmond, Rock the Block in Maple Ridge, and the BC Provincial Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition at Britannia Mine. There are also the amusement rides at Playland, which aren’t free, but are lots of fun.

See our June Calendar of Events or article about What’s Happening This Weekend for a list of other things to do in Metro Vancouver. Continue reading to learn about Italian Day on the Drive.

This article contains the following information about Italian Day on the Drive:

Where and When | About the Event | Entertainment | Other Information

Italian Day on Commercial Drive

If you like street parties, live music, pasta and fun outdoor activities in the city, then you’ll want to check out Italian Day.

It’s arguably the region’s largest street party event, attracting at least 200,000 participants most years.

Where and When

Italian Day in 2025 took place on Sunday, June 8th. It typically runs from 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

The event happens along Commercial Drive in Vancouver’s “Little Italy,” the 14 or so blocks between Venables and Grandview.

About Italian Day on the Drive

At Italian Day on the Drive expect to see over 100 different market vendors and lots of green, white and red colours. As many as 20 patios open up on the big day, serving everything from pizza and pasta to gelato.

There are also usually cooking demonstrations, food samples, soccer games, a pasta eating contest, street performers, an Italian clothing fashion show, DJs and different main stages offering live music and other entertainment. For children there are also crafts and other activity stations. There are usually lots of opportunities for adults to buy great espressos and cappuccinos as well.

Special activities this past year included a game of Human Foosball and a selection of carnival games. There was also a 50/50 draw with the chance to win thousands of dollars.

Commercial Drive During Italian Day on the Drive

Entertainment Lineup

Musicians and other performers entertain from multiple stages over the course of the day along Commercial Drive. Below was the schedule for the 2025 event. It will likely be similar in 2026, though exact details are to be confirmed.

The Drive Main Stage

Below was the 2025 schedule for the main stage, located this past year at the intersection of Commercial Drive and 2nd Avenue.

12:00 pm – Opening Ceremony
1:15 pm – Gustavo Herrera ‘Tenor’ + Ensemble
3:05 pm – Carmelina Cupo
4:55 pm – Jany B Band
6:45 pm – The A-Deez (80s Tribute)

Conwest Park Stage/Grandview Park Ampitheatre

Grandview Park is located between Charles and William Street.

12:40 pm – Gruppo Folcloristico (Children’s Choir)
1:20 pm – Langley Ukulele Ensemble
2:20 pm – Luna Rossa
3:45 pm – Opera 101
5:15 pm – Via Castello
7:00 pm – Joe Parente & Legato Music

Conwest Piazza Moda Stage

This stage was located at the intersection of Commercial Drive and 3rd Avenue.

12:00 pm – DJ Nick Fazio
1:15 pm – Jany Barucci
1:45 pm – JAC / Atelier GRANDI / Kalena Shoes
2:15 pm – Stephen Scaccia w/ guitarist Lenny Pallerstein
2:45 pm – DJ Nick Fazio
3:20 pm – Designer Collections from Puglia, Italy
4:00 pm – Special Guest Artist from Puglia, Italy
4:30 pm – DJ Nick Fazio
5:10 pm – JAC / Atelier GRANDI / Kalena Shoes
5:30 pm – DJ Nick Fazio

Parker Stage

This stage was located at the intersection of Commercial Drive and Parker Street.

12:45 pm – Lou Marocco & Stefanie Artuso
2:15 pm – Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Band
3:15 pm – Via Castello
4:00 pm – Lou Marocco & Stefanie Artuso
5:30 pm – Luna Rossa

Il Centro Grant Stage

This stage was located at the intersection of Commercial Drive and Grant Street.

12:00 pm – DJ Storm
2:00 pm – Giovani Talenti (youth talent contest)
4:00 pm – MRZ DJ Dance Party (Maurizio Margari)
6:00 pm – Giovani Talenti (finalist performances)
6:30 pm – MRZ DJ Dance Party (Maurizio Margari)

Pastificio Di Martino Stage

This stage was located at the intersection of Commercial Drive and 7th Avenue.

12:00 pm – DJ Vick Mazzei
2:00 pm – Pasta Eating Contest (adults)
2:45 pm – Pasta Eating Contest (children)
3:30 pm – DJ Vick Mazzei (dance party)
5:00 pm – Pasta Eating Contest (adults)
5:45 pm – Pasta Eating Contest (children)
6:30 pm – DJ Vick Mazzei (dance party)

Other Information

Italian Day on the Drive is a fabulous family-friendly event well worth checking out. See the Italian Day on the Drive website for more information.

See Vancouver’s Festivals and Events Calendar for other events at different times of the year. Events you’ll find there that are similar to Italian Day coming up in June include the various Car Free Day celebrations on Commercial Drive, Main Street and Denman Street, as well as Greek Day on Broadway in late June.

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