Ricotta Festival

Its that time again! It’s time to eat, dance and celebrate Italian culture - Ricotta Festival is back in Thomastown for 2026, marking its sixth year and our most exciting program yet.

Across the day, watch some of Melbourne’s culinary icons bring Italian flavours to life with live cooking demonstrations from LaManna's Jason Shiong, Melanie Lionello (@frommylittlekitchen), 2017 MasterChef contestant Pia Gava, Ferdinando Napoli from Trattoria Emilia, and our very own, Giorgio Linguanti. Radio favourite Cameron Smith will be guiding you through the action.

At the heart of it all is our legendary Ricotta Calda, made fresh and served warm at the festival. With over 35 stallholders, you can feast your way through Italy with spaghetti tossed in a 40kg Grana wheel, arancini, Sicilian charcoal BBQ, cannoli, tiramisù and much more. Be sure to explore our marketplace too, featuring local artisans, handcrafted goods and local producers.

The atmosphere doesn’t stop there! Sip on a spritz or birra while enjoying live perfromances from Siesta Cartel, the Melbourne School of Tarantella Dancers and Solo Antico, with comedian James Liotta keeping the energy high. Families can enjoy our dedicated Kids’ Zone, featuring a petting zoo, face painting, beat the buzzer; basketball game, play centre, and the crowd-favourite Carlton FC footy van.

Join us at the main stage for our first ever Cannoli Eating Competition, presented by Bialetti and Cannoleria. Watch as our contestants pipe and eat as many cannolis as they can to win prizes from That's Amore Cheese, Bialetti and Cannoleria. Want to compete? Follow THIS LINK.

Food:

• That's Amore Cheese - Gnocchi & Cacio e Pepe

• A Slice of Perfection - Pizza by the Slice (GF option available)

• Abruzzo Lab - Arrosticini (GF option available)

• LaManna - Ready Made Meals & Bites

• Mammas Polpette - Meatball Panino

• Pacelli Deli - Caciocavallo Toasties

• Pescato - Seafood Panini (GF option available)

• Puopolo Artisan Salumi - Salumi (GF option available)

• Salsicce 3rd Generation - Ciabatta Rolls (GF option available)

• Saluti Pizzeria - Pizza, Lasagna & Calamari

• The Arancini Mann - Arancini & Lasagna Bites

• U'Fuculari - Sicilian BBQ (GF option available)

• UGO Burrata Bar - Burrata Bowls & Porchetta Panino

• Via Gianlu - Schiacciate

Desserts:

• Boca Gelato

• Cannoleria

• Pistachio Papi - Pistachio Spread & Desserts

• Sfinci

• The Traveling Tiramisu (GF option available)

Drinks:

• Bialetti

• Caffe Trombetta - Caffe Crema (GF option available)

• Imbue Distillery - Gin Cocktails

• Monte Coffee

• Tommy's - Spritz

• San Bernardo

• Vino Bambino Wines

Marketplace:

• That's Amore Cheese

• A&G Handmade Biscuits - Traditional Italian Biscotti

• Backyard Honey - Local Honey

• Barkly - Deli Goods

• Battisti

• Bippi - Italian Style Chilli Condiments

• Black Sheep Posters

• Calabria Club

• Del Bocia - Artisinal Butter

• Destino The Label - Italian Jewelry & Candles

• Ellenika Boutique - Clothing & Accessories

• Il Baronello - Marinated Figs

• Indigo Heart - Kitchen Accessories & Italian Ceramics

• Long Paddock - French Cheese

• Mount Zero Olives

• Mrs C's - Crispy Chilli Oil

• Rosary & Co - Rosaries & Baby Pins

• Rustica Antipasto - Marinated Tomatoes

• Sugared Almond Boutique

• Sulmona Confetti e Fiori - Torrone & Flower Arrangements

• Thermomix

Tickets

Early Bird & General Admission Tickets: includes entry into Ricotta Festival and one free serving of Ricotta Calda.

VIP Tickets:  Skip the line with express entry into Ricotta Festival, receive 1 serving of Ricotta Calda, a drink on us, and an exclusive tote bag full of goodies from Thats Amore Cheese, Imbue Distillery, Puopolo Artisan Salumi, and more! *Ticketholders must be 18+.

Kids under 12: free entry into Ricotta Festival, no ticket required.

Buying for a group? Enjoy an automatic 10% OFF when buying 10 OR MORE tickets!

Tickets will not be sold at the door - a pre-purchased ticket is required for entry.

Getting There

Parking: 

Parking will be available at 84A Heyington Avenue, a 4 minute walk to the event area. Street parking subject to availability.

Transport:

The closest public transport is Thomastown train station, about a 15 minute walk to the festival.

More FAQs HERE.

Special thanks to our event partners:  City of Whittlesea, LaManna, Bialetti, Puopolo Artisan Salumi, Harcourts Rata & Co., Vino Bambino, Tommy's, San Bernardo, Monte Coffee, and Smeg.