The Danbury Feast of San Gennaro will return to Danbury, CT, at 1 Ives Street or its fourth annual event on August 20-24, 2025.
Local Danbury resident Antonia “Tonina” Chieffalo has been chosen to lead as the 2025 Grand Marshal. Tonina is a proud member of the Italian community, as a member of the Amerigo Vespucci Lodge for the past 60 years. She’s served as Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and has been the official delegate to the Italian Consulates in Hartford and New York. Tonina has been honored many times by several mayoral proclamations and by the lodge for her work in the community and for her dedication to preserving Italian heritage.
In a statement from the Galante Family: “Danbury San Gennaro is proud to name Tonina Chieffalo as the 2025 Grand Marshal. Tonina has served Danbury, and the greater Italian community, exceptionally for her entire life. We’re honored to have her and her family join us at this year’s event and represent the importance of celebrating and preserving our heritage in Danbury.”
The organizers also remember and honor 2024 Grand Marshal, Frank P. Molinaro, who held his title proudly until his passing this past February. On Wednesday, August 20th, Danbury San Gennaro will once again kick-off with a mass at St. Peter’s Church at 4 PM, a blessing of the San Gennaro statue, and a procession down Main St. to Ives St.
Danbury San Gennaro attracts 1000s of visitors daily from greater Danbury and beyond, who join together to celebrate Italian heritage. As event founder and organizer Tina Galante says, “everyone is Italian during San Gennaro.”
At night, San Gennaro lit the sky with laser light shows and fireworks, and fortunately, it’s all coming back! 11th Hour Productions has partnered with San Gennaro once again to bring 80’s themed light shows including special Metallica and Pink Floyd performances. On Saturday night, attendees will get to experience the proximity-safe firework show that lights off on top of the Patriot parking garage.
Between carnival rides and full-day to night entertainment, this free event has something for everyone. Musical headliners this year include The Zoo, Beyond Purple, AC/DC tribute band Back in Black, and classic rock band Not Sorry. Italian music takes over the daytime portion of the event with singers Vito Lombardo, the Graceful Tenor Vittorio di Carlo, and “Italian Singing Sensation” Biagio.