Good food, music and a reason to stay out a little longer: the first Lakeland Italian Festival “Under the Stars” has the makings of a lovely Saturday evening. On November 7, 2026, from 5 to 10 p.m., South Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland will host a celebration of Italian culture with an invitation that extends to the whole community.

Presented by the Italian American Club of Central Florida, the inaugural festival takes its cue from the simple pleasure of gathering together. Its Italian name, Sotto le stelle, means “under the stars”—an apt setting for an evening devoted to food, entertainment and the traditions that connect generations.

A little music, a little wandering

A curated selection of Italian food vendors will put the country’s culinary traditions at the center of the festivities. For visitors, the pleasure will be in making an evening of it: finding something good to eat, meeting up with friends and leaving time to enjoy the surroundings.

Alongside the food, an artisan market will bring together makers from across Florida. Their handcrafted goods will give festivalgoers another reason to explore, browse and meet the people behind the work. Live music and entertainment will round out the program, bringing a festive soundtrack to the downtown gathering.

Italian roots, an open invitation

For the club, the evening is also an opportunity to share Italian heritage with neighbors. Festivals offer a welcoming introduction to a culture: a meal, a conversation or a performance can be the beginning of a deeper connection. Here, Italian and Italian-American families can celebrate familiar traditions while introducing them to friends and visitors.

The inaugural event is sponsored by Il Forno Restaurants and Central Florida Credit Union. With free admission and an invitation to families and visitors alike, the organizers are making it easy to join the celebration.

For Mondo Italiano readers planning a November outing, Lakeland offers a new date for the calendar. Bring family, meet friends or simply come curious—and leave a little room in the evening for la dolce vita.

L'Italian American Club of Central Florida è lieto di annunciare la prima edizione del Lakeland Italian Festival "Under the Stars" (Sotto le stelle), che si terrà sabato 7 novembre 2026, dalle 17:00 alle 22:00, lungo South Kentucky Avenue, nel centro di Lakeland. L'evento è generosamente sponsorizzato da Il Forno Restaurants e Central Florida Credit Union.

Questo festival italiano serale, proposto per la prima volta, riunisce le ricche tradizioni, i sapori e l'arte dell'Italia in una celebrazione comunitaria senza eguali nella Florida centrale. I partecipanti potranno godere di musica dal vivo e intrattenimento, di un'accurata selezione di stand gastronomici italiani e di un vivace mercatino dell'artigianato che vedrà la presenza di creatori provenienti da tutto lo Stato.

Il Lakeland Italian Festival "Under the Stars" nasce per onorare e celebrare la cultura, il patrimonio e la comunità italiana, offrendo a famiglie e visitatori un'esperienza culturale immersiva, ricca di cucina autentica, prodotti artigianali e spettacoli festosi.