In the spirit of Italian Heritage Month, Bella Vita Fest celebrates Italian culture with chalk art, Italian music, and wine in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy, October 21-22, 2023.

More than 50 chalk artists, depicting Italian themes, will line the streets of Little Italy, with live Italian music, Italian wine tasting, and Italian products for purchase. Twenty-seven wines from 14 regions of Italy will be offered for tasting. Attendees with the “Admission and Wine Tasting” ticket will enjoy tastes of 12 wines direct from Italy.

Tickets are now on sale at bellavitafest.com.

“Bella Vita Fest has been on the drawing table since 2018 and we’re so excited to finally be able to bring it to the streets of San Diego’s Little Italy,” said Curt Brooker, Director. “The festival promises a unique experience for attendees – view more than 50 chalk art paintings being created live before your eyes on the pavement. Treat yourself to a wide array of authentic Italian wines and food. Enjoy live music with an Italian flair.”

October is Italian Heritage month, and the festival celebrates the tradition of street painting which began in 16th century Italy with itinerant artists, many of whom had been brought into the cities to work on the huge cathedrals. When the work was done, they would often recreate the paintings of the Madonna onto the pavement. They became known as Madonnari.

​Street painting thrives today in festivals throughout the world. Street painters prefer this temporary performance art form that is created live before your eyes on the asphalt. Little Italy has not enjoyed a chalk art festival since 2016, and event producers are thrilled to bring this inspiring art form back.

The event is brought to San Diego by the same team that produces the Mission Federal ArtWalk (April 29-30, 2023) and brings ArtWalk @ Liberty Station to the ARTS DISTRICT in Liberty Station (Aug. 5-6, 2023) and ArtWalk Carlsbad to North County (Sept. 9-10, 2023).

The event will run from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $10 for admission (12 and under free) only until August 1. Admission is $45 and includes wine tasting, until August 1, then prices increase by $5 on August 1.

For more information on Bella Vita Fest, please visit   www.bellavitafest.com.