San Gennaro 2025: 99 Years of Happiness

The 99th edition of the festival through my lenses, film and pixels.

This September, Mulberry Street exploded with life for the 99th annual Feast of San Gennaro. From September 11-21, nearly a million people descended on Little Italy for what's become one of New York's most beloved celebrations, and I was there taking pictures during this weekend.

Lady with a snake at the festival, with the Little Italy led signs behind it. Studium and puctum on point.

Since 1926, this beloved Italian-American celebration has brought together locals and travelers for food, parades, live music, and a deep sense of tradition, and this year the vibe was immaculate! Walking through the festival with both my film and digital cameras, what struck me most was the pure happiness radiating from every corner. The energy was infectious, with families sharing zeppoles, couples on the ferris wheel against the Manhattan skyline, and vendors calling out with pride.

So many bangers!

Juno and I spent hours capturing it all, both on film and digital. CineStill 400D was a perfect match for the scene, highlighting halation.

Spiral potato vendors and their sympathy.

Vendors on fire! Celebration everywhere.

Both digital and film thriving on what they do best. The colors and exposure in the CineStill 400D are neat.

"Wontonissimo - wontons with an Italian accent”, and these 3 guys, the perfect italian scene! Such cool stuff!

The mix of old and new was everywhere, which is a perfect addition to film. A vendor in a "You Can't Spell Sausage Without USA" shirt. A small dog in a backpack taking in the chaos.

What makes San Gennaro special is that for eleven days, this stretch of Manhattan becomes a time machine connecting 2025 to 1926, connecting Naples to New York, connecting all of us to something bigger than ourselves.

Next year is the centennial. But honestly? After experiencing this year's pure, unfiltered joy, I don't know how it get better than this!

Lucy’s Sausage & Peppers.

This guy was there sanding for a while, a perfect figure in the festival. Observing, judging, for tens of minutes.

1. A worker cooking sausages with the MAGA hat • 2. A fire truck and a lady coming out of it (?) • 3. A worker giving the teddy bear prize to a woman • 4. A woman and her beautiful dalmatian dog • 5. A man posing and muscle flexing • 6. Workers and the tip jar.

Viva San Gennaro!