Scotch Plains Celebrates Tradition at Annual UNICO-St. Bart's Italian Festival

The beloved UNICO-St. Bart's Italian Festival is wrapping up its annual Labor Day weekend run at St. Bartholomew's Church in Scotch Plains. The four-day community tradition, which has run every year since 1974, concludes its festivities on Sunday, September 6, and Monday, September 7, 2026.

Co-hosted by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter of UNICO, St. Bartholomew's Church, and St. Bartholomew's Academy, the long-standing event honors San Nicola di Bari, the patron saint of Montazzoli, Italy. The celebration is hosted on the church grounds at 2032 Westfield Ave.

Authentic Italian Eats and Entertainment

Festival attendees can indulge in a classic lineup of Italian street food, including sausage and peppers, pizza, pasta, calzones, and fresh zeppoles. Alongside the food, the fair features carnival rides, games, and premium nightly entertainment.

The final two days of the festival feature stellar musical acts:

• Sunday, September 6 (4:30 PM – 10:30 PM): Classic rock band The Broadcasters, active since 2004, will take the stage at 7:00 PM.

• Monday, September 7 (3:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Jimmy and the Parrots will perform Jimmy Buffett's greatest hits starting at 5:00 PM. The entire festival will officially close out on Monday evening following a grand Super 50/50 Raffle drawing.

A Look Back at Opening Weekend

The final stretch follows an action-packed opening weekend. Friday night kicked off with Simply the Best, a vibrant six-piece tribute show honoring the female icons of 1980s rock.

On Saturday, September 5, the festival blended culture and faith with a traditional Italian Mass at 5:00 PM. This was followed by a performance from Mike Aromando and the Metropolitan Italian Strolling Band, playing traditional Italian favorites at 6:00 PM, before country-rock band Wolf Creek rounded out the night.

Co-host St. Bartholomew's Academy remains a staple of the local community outside of festival season, serving Catholic school students from Pre-K through 8th grade.

For more Scotch Plains community events, businesses, and neighborhood updates, visit Union County Life.

FAQ

Where does the UNICO-St. Bart's Italian Festival take place?
The festival is held on the grounds of St. Bartholomew's Church, located at 2032 Westfield Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ.

What are the hours for the final days of the festival?
On Sunday, September 6, the festival is open from 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM. On Labor Day (Monday, September 7), the hours are 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Who is the festival honoring?
The festival honors San Nicola di Bari, who is the patron saint of Montazzoli, Italy.

When is the Super 50/50 Raffle drawn?
The grand Super 50/50 Raffle drawing takes place on Monday evening, September 7, to close out the final night of the festival.