125th Annual Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana of Altavilla Milicia
Schedule
Fri, 29 Aug, 2025 at 04:00 pm to Sun, 31 Aug, 2025 at 11:45 pm
UTC-05:00Location
8400 W Church St, Niles, IL 60714, United States | Niles, IL
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End your summer the Italian way! Join us this Labor Day weekend in Niles, IL for the 125th Annual Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana - Chicagoland's largest & longest running Italian Festival since 1900. Experience Old-World Italian traditions, processions, and our world-famous "Flight of the Angels." Enjoy amazing food, drinks, live entertainment, carnival rides & games, and a spectacular fireworks show to end your summer!More info at https://mariasslauretana.com/
Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 30
4:00 PM – Feast Opens
5:30 PM – Entertainment: Tony Spavone, Legendary Italian Singer
7:00 PM – Final Novena at Shrine Tent
9:00 PM – Entertainment: Pino Farina Band, Adult Alternative Rock
11:30 PM – Feast Closes
Saturday, Aug. 31
12:00 PM – Feast Opens
1:00 PM – Entertainment: School of Rock!
4:00 PM – Entertainment: Mario DeLaurenti, Italian American Hits
6:00 PM – Entertainment: Jessie’s Girl Chicago, Top Hits of the 80s
7:00 PM – Carro & Torch Parade
9:00 PM – Entertainment: Infinity, 70s, 80s, 90s Classic Rock
11:30 PM – Feast Closes
Sunday, Sept. 1
9:00 AM – Candlelight Procession
10:00 AM – Mass of the Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana celebrated by Fr Stan Czarnecki, S.J.
11:00 AM – Feast Opens
1:00 PM – Entertainment: Joe DeLuca’s Accordion Extravaganza
2:00 PM – Entertainment: Gabriella Rago, Notstalgic Classics & Showtunes
3:00 PM – Procession of the Blessed Mother
4:30 PM – Entertainment: Benjamin De Los Monteros, Opera Tenor & Songwriter
5:00 PM – First Flight of the Angels
6:00 PM – Entertainment: Mia Rago, Opera Soprano & Songwriter
7:00 PM – Entertainment: John Anthony, Italian American Classics
8:00 PM – Second Flight of the Angels
9:00 PM – Spectacular Fireworks Display immediately following the last Flight of the Angels
11:30 PM – Feast Closes
** Flight of the Angels times are approximate
Monday, Sept. 1st
Carnival will be open for an additional day! Opens 1:00 PM until 10:00 PM.
This Labor Day weekend, enjoy a real piece of Italian tradition in Niles at The Feast of Maria Santissima Lauretana.
About the Feast:
The 125th Annual Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana is one of the oldest running Italian Festivals in the Chicagoland area. Famously known for its "Volata" or "Flight of the Angels", the Feast has become a tradition to many in Chicago's Italian-American community.
From it's humble beginnings in Chicago's Northside "Little Sicily" neighborhood, the Feast has flourished for 124 years and draws thousands of people from all over to enjoy a Labor Day weekend of culture, live music, food, rides, games, and most importantly to honor our Holy Mother under the title of Maria Santissima Lauretana.
The feast reaches its culmination on Sunday when it kicks off with a morning procession. The mass that follows has been celebrated by faithful priests and bishops; namely the late Cardinal Francis George who was a close friend of our society and a devotee of our Blessed Mother. The afternoon is kicked off with the main procession which includes the Throne of the Blessed Mother and The Volata, or Flight of the Angels. The Flight of the Angels has been a time-honored tradition going back to Altavilla Milicia, Sicily. The evening wraps up with a beautiful fireworks display.
#italianfest #Italianfood #italianamerican #chicagoitalian #livemusic #festival #carnival
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Where is it happening?
8400 W Church St, Niles, IL 60714, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
