The young but quickly growing Galbani Maryland Italian Festival will return for its third year in September 2025, but at a new location – the expansive parking lot of Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland.
The Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB) announced the move along with the dates for the festival, September 26 – 28, 2025. The festival is sponsored by Galbani Cheese and presented by Jarrettsville Furniture. A family-friendly weekend, the festival will offer a variety of outdoor attractions, games, live entertainment, of course — food — and more.
“This move reflects the festival’s growth and success,” said Joseph Papa, President of SIAB and co-chair of the 2025 festival. “This new venue provides more space for attendees, vendors, and entertainment, while also increasing accessibility for festival-goers coming from all over the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.”
In 2024, the festival drew people from more than 15 states, and in the first two years, nearly 40,000 people attended. Festival organizers expect the new location will cement the event as a mainstay cultural event, citing the logistical ease of being close to I-95 and many hotels. The new location also offers more parking, better accessibility for attendees, more flexibility should inclement weather hit, and options in event planning.
“The Italian Festival celebrates the heritage of the Italian-American community here in Harford County. The Festival brings thousands of visitors from both within and outside of Harford County,” said Jessica Boyle-Tsottles of the Harford County Council. “The Festival is a draw that not only enables our citizens to celebrate Italian-American heritage, but also is a great economic development driver for our local economy.”
“SIAB’s Italian Festival is a Harford County gem. Aside from the obvious, direct economic benefit derived from 20,000 or so fun-loving festival patrons, the festival unites the entire community in an exciting and enjoyable celebration of Italy’s best food, music, and wine,” said Bob Cassilly, former Maryland State Senator. “This ‘must attend’ event is a win for the entire family. Godere, ciao!”
Celebrating Italian culture attracts a wide range of people looking to enjoy the outdoor attractions, carnival games, authentic libations piazzas, cooking classes, wine demonstrations, and local Italian vendors. This year’s festival will see the return of VIP villas, national and regional entertainment, and the annual Bocce Tournament.
In the tournament, participants root for teams, including Special Olympians, while competing for cash prizes. Proceeds from both the tournament and the festival contribute to SIAB’s goal of supporting charities with an emphasis on education, family and child services, mental health resources, and addiction help.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for this year’s festival. To learn more about those opportunities, click this link.
“We are so thrilled to welcome back our sponsors, whose continued support has played a key role in helping us expand the festival’s reach across the region,” said Larry Noto, co-chair of the festival and SIAB member. “And as we move to this new location, we’d be remiss if we didn’t share how incredibly grateful we are to the Harford County Equestrian Center for their support during our first two years.”
For updates and more information on programming, entertainment, and ticket sales, sign up for the festival’s newsletter by visiting this link.
