On the 12th of April, the shores of Lake Burley Griffin turned into a little pocket of Italy as Viva Italia’s biggest night lit up the city at The National Museum of Australia.
First impressions: like stepping into Italy
I went with a couple of friends to explore the festival together, and we were already smiling as we walked in. Arriving just before sunset, the whole place looked straight out of an Italian postcard.
Brightly coloured banners hung overhead, fairy lights crisscrossed the museum boardwalk, and long rows of tables were crowded with friends, family, and couples taking in the atmosphere.
It wasn’t just busy, it was bustling. People were everywhere, talking and laughing and engaging in the endless festivities.
The food
Drawn in by the mouth-watering smells, I followed the flow of the crowd straight into the food village, the ‘Piazza del Gusto’.
Pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens. Fresh pasta was mixed with herbs, seafood and generous amounts of parmesan cheese. Antipasto plates were arranged alongside crispy arancini balls the size of your fist.
It was impossible to choose just one thing.
We split up to try different things, one of my friends came back with a bowl of pesto gnocchi and said, “That line was worth every second.”
“I blacked out and ordered three things”, another friend admitted, holding a delicious looking pizza, pasta and garlic bread.
I entered dessert heaven after seeing a neon “Sweet Treats” sign, showcasing stalls of cannoli, gelato, panna cotta, and tiramisu.
I shared a selection of canollis with Hetta, while my other friend Alice got Tiramisu and immediately declared it better than her Nonna’s. Which she’s probably going to regret saying out loud.
At the cannoli stand, we got chatting to one of the servers, who told us he was part of the family business. “It’s our first time doing such a huge event,” he said. “Honestly didn’t think it’d be anywhere near this packed, it’s crazy.”
Culture, woven through everything
Beyond the food, Viva Italia was layered with culture and history.
Inside the museums atrium, were stalls selling homemade candles, pottery and jewellery beside long tables decorated with feathers and glitter, there were Italian costumes and dancers showcasing their rich history.
From handcrafted leather goods to small red cornicello charms, the Italian emblem for protection and good fortune, market stalls were scattered across the grounds.
It went beyond simply putting up a show. It was about passing down the customs, allowing others to participate, taste, touch, and personalise them.
The music
The stage featured a variety of live performances throughout the evening, ranging from lively modern music to traditional Italian folk music.
In between food runs, crowds gathered around, clapping along and pausing to observe. While some sat back and took in the scene from their picnic tables, others danced close to the front of the stage.
I briefly chatted to an attendee enjoying a wine on the fringe of the crowd, asking what he thought of the festival, he replied. “I came for the pasta. I stayed because someone handed me wine and said ‘try this. That was 2 hours ago’”
The feeling of not wanting to leave
As the evening went on, the crowd stayed strong, with people still lining up at the food stalls, dancing and chattering away.
It wasn’t just a night out, it was a real celebration.
Viva Italia didn’t feel like something organised for show, it felt like a genuine community, bringing together food, music, and culture in a way that was welcoming and easy to be part of.
As we left, my friend Hetta turned to me and said, “That was adorable, we are definitely coming again next year.”
Leaving the National Museum that night, it felt clear this wasn’t just a one-off. It was the kind of event that reminds you how much good there is when a city comes together to share a piece of its community.
Photos by Sophie Foley