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South 9th Street Italian Market Festival returns, with international cuisine, shopping, and greased pole climbing

Here's the schedule, vendors, road closures, and parking info for the 9th Street Italian Market Festival.

A group of men with Pace Roofing LLC compete in the grease pole contest at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 21, 2022. They won on their second attempt to climb the pole and grab the meat and cheese hanging on top.
A group of men with Pace Roofing LLC compete in the grease pole contest at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 21, 2022. They won on their second attempt to climb the pole and grab the meat and cheese hanging on top.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
    by Henry Savage
    Updated 
    Published 

South Philadelphia’s finest restaurateurs, pastry chefs, cheesemongers, and more will line the streets of the Italian Market for its annual festival this weekend.

On Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival will see more than a hundred vendors sharing their food, drinks, and crafts, live music, DeerPark’s hoagie competition, and time-honored traditions like the Procession of Saints and the greased pole competition.

The seven-block takeover of South Philly’s famous open-air market is a celebration of the culture and small businesses cultivated over the past 150 years by the city’s rich and diverse immigrant communities.

Here’s what you need to know.

When is the Italian Market Festival?

The Italian Market Festival is Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., along South Ninth Street between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets in South Philadelphia. Prepare for warm weather in the 70s with hints of rain (64% chance as of publication) on Saturday and wind (up to 15 mph wind gusts) on Sunday, according to AccuWeather.

Food and drinks

Almost all of the South 9th Street Italian Market will be open for business, but expect streetside vending.

According to local hoagie aficionado Hoagie Dom, some Italian Market must-visits are Esposito’s, Sarcone’s Bakery, Claudio’s, Fante’s, Anthony’s Coffee, Angelo’s Pizza, Di Bruno Bros., Isgros Pastries, and Villa di Roma. Don’t overlook spots like Alma del Mar, Blue Corn, South Philly Barbacoa, Mole Poblano, and Taqueria La Prima.

Festival events

  1. St. Paul Parish Procession of Saints: Watch the annual procession on Sunday, May 19, as it strolls along the market starting at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church, 712 Montrose St. The procession will proceed to Ninth Street and Washington Avenue for the Blessing of the Market, ending at St. Paul Catholic Church (corner of South Hutchinson and Christian Streets). This year, the patron saint of the impossible, St. Rita of Cascia, will be part of the procession.

  2. Live Entertainment:

    1. Washington Avenue stage: Sat., May 18, Variable Elements (noon-2 p.m.), DJ Eric Bartello (2 p.m.-3 p.m.), Amanda and Teddy (3 p.m.-5 p.m.). Sun., May 19, Juliano Brothers (noon-2 p.m.) and Philly Heart and Soul (3 p.m.-5 p.m.).

    2. Ninth & Christian Streets Stage: DJ Timmy DeSimone (all weekend).

    3. Tavolo Zona at Ninth and Montrose: Sunday, May 19, DJ Eric Bartello (all day).

  1. John Marzano Half Ball Tournament: This annual fundraiser supports the John Marzano Wood Bat Scout League. Teams can register on-site the morning of the event, which takes place at Christopher Columbus Charter School, 916 Christian St., on Sat., May 18, starting at 10 a.m.

  2. Greased Pole Climbing Competition: A tradition brought over from Italy, the competition , known as a albero della cuccagna in Italian, features groups of people working together to race up a 30-foot lard-greased pole for cash prizes, meats, and cheeses. Competition takes place all day on both festival days, at Ninth and Montrose Streets.

  3. Vendors: More than 100 vendors will be on-site.

  4. DeerPark’s Hoagie Competition: The city’s top sandwich makers, nominated by Philadelphians, will duke it out to see who can create the best hoagie with the winner earning bragging rights, a trophy, and a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

Street closures

Ninth Street from Wharton to Fitzwater will be closed during festival hours. This includes all adjacent intersecting streets including Catherine Street, Christian Street, Carpenter Street, Washington Avenue, Ellsworth Street, and Federal Street.

SEPTA

You can take bus routes 47 or 47M, which run along the Market’s blocks, or you can take the Broad Street Line, get off at Ellsworth-Federal, and walk about 10-15 minutes until you reach Ninth Street and Washington Avenue. Find other routes that will get you close to the festival at iseptaphilly.com/plan-your-trip.

Parking near the Italian Market Festival

  1. Italian Market Parking Lot: 📍 926 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 💰 $8 flat rate Monday-Friday, $12 flat rate for Saturday-Sunday, ⌚ 7 a.m.-6 p.m., 🚶‍♀️1-minute walk

  2. 7th & Christian Street Lot: 📍 719-35 Christian St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 💰 $1 for 1 hour, $2 for 2 hours (max. time), ⌚ 8 a.m.-10 p.m., 🚶‍♀️3-minute walk

  3. 8th & Passyunk Lot: 📍 1012-26 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 💰 Free for 2 hours,⌚ 24/7, 🚶‍♀️ 5-minute walk

  4. South 12th Street Lot: 📍 1339 S. 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 💰 Free, ⌚ 24/7, 🚶‍♀️ 15-minute walk