Italy in the Tropics - La Festa Food & Wine 2026

Indulge in authentic Italian flavors with gourmet food stalls, fine wine, and live music. From opera to pop, experience the ultimate street

Italy in the Tropics: Cairns Italian Festival 2026

The Cairns Italian Festival returns for its fifth year! Join us Saturday, 25 July 2026, at Fogarty Park for an unforgettable celebration of Italian culture.

🍝 Eat & Drink

Indulge in an incredible array of regional food and drink stalls. From wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta to aromatic coffee and fine wines, your favorite vendors are back alongside exciting new additions.

🎶 Entertainment Line-up

• Live Music: Featuring the Romano Bros (direct from Italy!), Siesta Cartel, The Italian Stallions Band, Nikki Dagostino, and Viva la Diva.
• Spectacle: Marvel at pizza acrobatics by Yussef Ben Touati and traditional folk dancing by Turning Pointe Dance Studios.
• Explore an impressive display of classic Italian cars and motorcycles.

🏆 Festival Fun

Don't miss the famous spaghetti eating competition—start fasting now! With plenty of kids' activities, it’s the perfect family day out.

Entertainers

Simon and Marco, the MC of La Festa 2025 - Cairns Italian Festival

Simone

Born in Modena, the iconic Italian city of Ferrari, Simon relocated to Melbourne in 2008, embarking on a life filled with rich opportunities and experiences. Since his move, he has embraced the vibrant culture of Australia, stumbling upon Radio Italiana 531 in Adelaide, where he combines his love for community engagement and Italian heritage. From 9 to 5, Simon works as a Change Manager, driving transformation and adaptability.

Marco

Born in Milan in 1990, I moved to Adelaide in 2012 at the age of 21 and been involved in the Italian Community of South Australia since joining Radio Italiana 531 as a volunteer in 2018. A proud Italian, Milanista, I am the General Manager of Radio Italiana 531.

Siesta Cartel

Siesta Cartel are a unifying musical movement led by a group of young Italians from Melbourne whose hearts beat to the music they play from a time long ago, where their beloved traditions was born. On a mission to unite all Italians in Australia with the music that helped raise them and they still love today.

“The sound of that music reminds me of my heritage. That sound today is Siesta Cartel”

The Italian Stallions

Joining forces for the first time ever, three of Australia’s premier male vocalists are coming together exclusively for the Cairns Italian Festival to create the ultimate Italian musical experience.

Tony Mazell, George Vumbuca and Dean Canan will be backed by some of the country’s finest musicians, as they showcase and pay tribute to the Italian classics from yesteryear which will also include San Remo hits and modern day tunes.

An added bonus in the vocal department will be the amazing Sara Mazell who will be joining The Italian Stallions for the Festival.

Expect to hear the songs you know and love from Artists that include Toto Cutugno, Umberto Tozzi, Eros Ramazotti and Il Divo to name a few.

DJ-Stefano

DJ Stefano Marcianò

A resident DJ at Italian bars and clubs nights around Melbourne, headline DJ for the Melbourne Italian Festa and playing guest spots across Italy, he has continued to develop his sound by hitting the studio to remix and re-imagine hits of the Italian stalwarts of the 60s-90s. He’ll have you dancing to songs you didn’t know you know and spark a nostalgia for a time you probably didn’t live through.

Youseff Ben Touati

A life spent between the stove, the wood-fired oven, and many travels, always chasing his passion: pizza. This is the story of Youssef Ben Touati, born in Perugia, Italy, 28 years ago.

Youssef comes from a multicultural family of restaurateurs; An Italian mother and a French Tunisian father led Youssef to explore food and ethnic cuisine from all around the world.

Youssef approached the kitchen for the very first time when he was only a young teenager. His family owned a restaurant in Tuscany, in the beautiful Argentario peninsula where he used to spend his summer holidays. After finishing school, Youssef decided to start his first working experience at his uncle’s restaurant “La Casetta”, in Perugia.

After a few months, he realized his job would develop into something serious. Youssef loved working in the restaurant kitchen and never felt tired of cooking.

After this first experience at his uncles’ restaurant, he had the occasion to approach some real master of Neapolitan pizza. And this is when his passion for the pizza industry began. After just a short period of time, Youssef realized he had the right skills to train together with the Italian National Team of Pizzaioli, at that time guided by Danilo Pagano. Youssef competed in several national and international contests around Italy, winning regional, national and international prizes; He obtained the first place for FreeStyle pizza and a bronze medal for Gourmet pizza at the International Pizza Championship in Rimini in 2013.

He is also a member of the Acrobatic Pizza Italian Team even if he always likes to remember that acrobatic pizza is something playful that has nothing to do with the art of making pizza and all the elaborate techniques involved in dough making.

After having traveled all around Europe together with the Italian National Team, he decided to take a new challenge by moving to Australia. 4 years ago, Youssef took a chance and reached Brisbane when at that time, he could barely speak English. In the beginning, his experience in Australia was a sort of adventure and did not have high expectations. He then decided to stay in Australia when some good work opportunities gave him the chance to grow professionally and share his skills with the Australian pizza industry.

Opera-Singers-Caro

CARO Voices, Cairns and Regional Opera

Owned & operated by Adrian Strooper & Frank Dangelico, we are a local company giving the Cairns region, access to unique concerts by Australian classical and Avante-garde artists. We are committed to instilling a sense of pride in financially supporting Australia’s artists.

CARO voices is also about educating and supporting our local young and semi-professional artists by learning via masterclasses, workshops and pre-show talks. Our aim is to give the immense talent of the Cairns region access to the same exposure and opportunities as our southern students.

We have a pool of local professional and semi-professional artists available to sing at your function, wedding or major event. Our performances range from The Cairns Italian Festival “Festa” Day in 2023 to a crowd of 5000+ people to special events at Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas right through to private events to 6 people. CARO is continually raising the bar or Opera & Classical performances to our region.

Opera Singers for La Festa:

• Adrian Strooper
• Chris Burcin
• Rachel Fullston
• Suzan Harvey
• Accompanied by Ashley Cawse

Turning Pointe

Turning Pointe Dance Studios is synonymous with entertainment and are thrilled to be performing at the 2023 Cairns Italian Festival. Enriching the Cairns region for over 25 years, the highly acclaimed local dance troupe has received accolades both interstate and internationally. Dancers will provide a spectacular showcase of dance entertainment throughout the festival ranging from Traditional Italian Dance to much loved Italian Classics, to Current Chart Toppers! In a kaleidoscope of colour, don’t miss this entertainment for the whole family to enjoy!

The Romano Bros (Direcly from Italy)

Direct from Sicily, the Romano Bros bring the infectious spirit of an Italian summer to the stage. Known for their viral hit "Figli Degli Anni '70," this high-energy duo blends nostalgic 1970s pop-rock with traditional Sicilian roots. Their performances are a vibrant journey through boogie-woogie rhythms and passionate melodies that celebrate family, heritage, and the joy of the Mediterranean. With an electric stage presence that captures the heart of Italy, they are guaranteed to get every generation dancing.

Nikki Dagostino

The Nikki Dagostino (also known as Little Miss Squeezebox) first discovered the piano accordion at age 11 by chance whilst looking under her grandmothers’ bed for money. The discovery has since taken her on a journey that continues to this day.

Born in Perth, Western Australia amongst Italian Heritage, she began studying Classical piano at age 9 and discovered the unique sound of the piano accordion shortly after.

Nikki has been touring international stages for over a decade now and has endured countless interactions with recognised musicians and artists from all parts of the World.

Little Miss Squeezebox is a sensation in both Canada Ontario and Europe , having performed at countless Uk and European Festivals, one of which includes her fave: The Glastonbury Festival.

Nikki Dagostino is widely recognised as one of Australia’s most entertaining female Accordionists and stage entertainers. She highly enjoys the pleasure of taking her audience on a trip around the globe by introducing them to authentic world sounds while keeping the rare art alive and educating souls with the world sounds of the Piano Accordion and the universal language that is Music

Viva la Diva

The Viva la Diva is a dynamic trio featuring three of Sydney’s premier professional female vocalists: Sara Mazell, Jacinta Gulisano, and Juliette Rose.

United by their Italian heritage and embracing their rich culture, these talented women deliver a captivating musical presentation celebrating the best and most popular Italian female singers of all time. From iconic classics by the legendary Ricchi e Poveri, Marcella Bella & Mina to anthems by Annalisa and Giorgia, Viva La Diva’s performance appeals to all lovers of Italian music.

All 3 women successful in their own right, collectively will present an Italian musical project like no other. Experience next-level exceptional entertainment with Viva La Diva!

The Mammas

Everyone loves the Italian Mammas! These fiery, pasta-loving queens of comedy bring a touch of Mediterranean flair everywhere they go. From hilarious anecdotes about their mischievous bambinos to side-splitting stories of life in the Old Country, these vivacious women regale audiences with tales of family, food, and amore. But don’t let their warm hugs and homemade cannoli fool you – these matriarchs mean business when it comes to comedy. With their sharp tongues and quick wit, our Italian Mammas can slice through a punchline faster than Nonna can roll a single gnocchi.

The Spaghetti Eating Competition is BACK!!!

When it comes to pasta, Italy is unrivalled beyond doubt. As the world’s biggest producers and consumers – approximately twenty-five kilos per person every year, unexpectedly followed by Tunisians – Italians are probably the only people happy to eat pasta more than once every day!

And you? How much pasta can you handle? During the competition, each participant will get a large bowl of spaghetti. Players must eat the spaghetti without cutlery and with their hands behind their backs. The first person to eat all their spaghetti is the winner. Make sure to enter the competition first prize for each category is $200 plus the fastest spaghetti eater overall gets an additional $200!