In the spirit of Italian Heritage Month, Galbani® Bella Vita Fest celebrates Italian culture with chalk art, Italian music and wine, all in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy, October 18-19, 2025. More than 40-plus expert chalk artists, depicting Italian themes, will line the streets of Little Italy, with live Italian music, La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage, Italian merchants and Italian food for purchase. Plus, Italian winemakers will be offering tastings, via Vicolo del Vino. Food and wine tickets can be purchased here. October is Italian Heritage month, and the festival celebrates the tradition of street painting which began in 16th century Italy with traveling artists, many of whom had been brought into the cities to work on the cathedrals. When the work was done, they would often recreate the paintings of “Madonna” on 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 the eyes on the asphalt. This year, La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage expands. Chef Marco, a brand ambassador for Galbani cheese, will hit the stage for several different on-stage cooking classes and demos. He blends artistry and expertise in the culinary realm; hailing from a rich culinary background, his innovative recipes highlight the versatility of Galbani cheeses and easy-to-make Italian-style dishes. With a commitment to excellence, Chef Marco's creations not only tantalize taste buds but also celebrate the heritage and tradition of Galbani cheese. Bella Vita is brought to San Diego by the ArtWalk San Diego team who produce the annual, spring Mission Federal ArtWalk, ArtWalk Liberty Station each August, and fall ArtWalk Carlsbad. Food and wine tickets can be purchased at https://www.artwalksandiego.org/bellavita/wine-tix/ For more information on Bella Vita Fest, please visit www.bellavitafest.com. ArtWalk San Diego on Facebook / Instagram
