With only a few more weeks of summer remaining, The Belmont Business Improvement District (BID) promises a lot to look forward to this fall and winter in the Bronx with the return of various annual events and programming that add to the cultural vibrancy of the historic neighborhood each year. From Italian traditions to holiday experiences, all are invited to sing, dance, dine, and shop in Bronx Little Italy.
“We are thrilled to bring back our annual fall and holiday celebrations that have become a staple within the Bronx Little Italy community. These events have served as decades-long traditions for many, and we hope to keep the tradition alive for many generations to come,” said Peter Madonia, Chairman of the Belmont Business Improvement District. “We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to experience the neighborhood’s old-world charm and local businesses that have been operated by the same families for generations. While in the area, we also encourage families to enjoy the annual Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo and the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden, both just a short distance from Arthur Avenue.”
Highlights from September to December 2025 include:
- Ferragosto Returns to Bronx Little Italy (Sunday, September 7) – Each year, thousands of visitors flock to Arthur Avenue for the annual Ferragosto Festival for a day-long celebration of Italian culture, featuring delicious cuisine like pizza, pasta, and pastries from local small businesses, and live music and entertainment. This year, the festival will take place between East 187th Street and Crescent Avenue from 12-6pm, rain or shine. Additional parking will be available at Fordham University at 685 E Fordham Rd for $10, with a free shuttle to and from the event from 11am-7pm.
- Musical Performances by The Belmont 4 (Saturdays, September 13 & October 4, 18 & 25) – Step into the fall season with the sweet sounds of doo-wop from Arthur Avenue’s own The Belmont 4. The talented acapella quartet will be serenading visitors with nostalgic tunes from the 50s and 60s as they stroll through the neighborhood and pop into local eateries from 6:30-8:30pm.
- Italian American Heritage Month Celebration (Monday, October 13) – Where better to celebrate Italian American Heritage and Culture Month than one of the oldest Italian neighborhoods in New York City? In conjunction with Columbus Day, from 12:30-3:30pm, the band Pane e Cioccolato will once again fill the cross section at East 186th Street and Arthur Avenue with the sounds of traditional Italian music. Visitors and residents are encouraged to spend the day immersing themselves in all that Bronx Little Italy has to offer, from artisanal food shops to retail merchants, delicious eateries, and more.
- Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Saturday, December 6) – All is merry and bright as the Belmont BID kicks off the holiday season with their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Ciccarone Park, at the intersection of East 188th Street and Arthur Avenue, from 4-6pm. Attendees can embrace the spirit of the season by meeting Santa and his elf, singing along to holiday caroling, and enjoying Italian cookies and hot chocolate from local small businesses. The BID will also partner with The Children’s Cancer Society of America to offer a toy giveaway for local children on a first come, first serve basis.
- Live Nativity & Holiday Services at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Saturday, December 20 to Thursday, January 1)
- Live Nativity Scene (Saturday December 20 & Tuesday December 23) – The Church once again invites the community to experience the story of Christ’s birth through their live nativity scene, featuring a manger with real people and farm animals. The live nativity will be on display in front of the Church on December 20 from 10am-6pm and December 23 from 10am-4pm.
- Lessons & Carols (Saturday, December 20) – All are invited to join in a service of song and Scripture from 7-9pm.
- Christmas Day Services (Thursday, December 25) – The Church will host a Midnight Mass at 12am. Christmas Day masses will be offered at 9:30am and 1:30pm in Spanish, 11am in Italian, and 12:15pm in English.
- New Year’s Day Services (Thursday, January 1) – Ring in the new year with Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church! Masses will be offered at 9:30am and 1:30pm in Spanish, 11am in Italian, and 12:15pm in English.
- Holiday Caroling and Santa Sightings in the Neighborhood (Select December Dates) – For those shopping and dining on Arthur Avenue this festive season, or those looking to round out their trip to the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights or New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show®, the caroling group The Jolly Holidays will be in the neighborhood performing classic Christmas tunes on select days leading up to Christmas. Families can also expect special visits from Santa and his elf.
While in the Bronx this holiday season, visitors can complete all of their shopping needs for Italian delicacies, gourmet goods, and presents. Whether purchasing a full Thanksgiving meal, preparing for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, or picking up a gift basket for a loved one, the neighborhood offers countless butchers, bakers, delicatessens, pastry shops, specialty grocery stores, and more for everyone’s shopping needs. As a gift idea for those who enjoy cooking, Little Italy in the Bronx has its own pasta sauce and products, available nationally and on Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Belmont BID to help preserve the neighborhood and traditions for generations to come.
Arthur Avenue is also a great destination for holiday celebrations and gatherings. Guests can enjoy a warm meal and cozy atmosphere at one of the neighborhood’s many eateries, some of which have been operating for nearly 100 years or longer. For the full list of restaurants in Bronx Little Italy, see here.
To learn more, follow the BID on Instagram at @BronxLittleItaly, X at @BXLittleItaly, Facebook at @BronxLittleItaly, & TikTok at @BronxLittleItaly.
About The Belmont Business Improvement District (BID)
The Belmont Business Improvement District (BID) works to advance the economic well-being of local businesses and the community at large by promoting the “Little Italy in the Bronx” brand, the strong ethnic heritage and leadership in the culinary marketplace. The Belmont BID strives to expand business and awareness by leveraging the mercantile, social, political and cultural assets within and around the community. The local neighborhood features New York City’s best, authentic Italian restaurants, butchers, bakeries, pastry shops, artisan merchants and institutions.
