Italian Idol

07/18/2026

Bravo and grazie to everyone, including all our competitors who made our 19th Italian Idol Show another success. Our 2026 Italian Idol Leila Hill (center)joined by 2nd Place Sophia Tolfa (left)and 3rd Place Ashley Turnquist (right).

07/18/2026

Grazie to our 2026 Festa Italiana panel of judges: DZ from 103.7 KISS-FM, MJ Radowicz and Tracy Balistreri.🇮🇹

07/17/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Italian Idol Leila Hill!!!

05/30/2026

Breaking News: We are excited to announce this year’s Italian Idol will feature the music of Neil Diamond. Competitors will be performing a song of their choice in addition to a Neil Diamond song. Claire “Thunder” Sardina will be joining us to celebrate our 19th and epic year of this Festa favorite. Plan on joining us for the Italian Idol Show on the Aurora Pavilion stage, July 11, 2026 at 8PM. It will be “so good, so good, so good”.

There are a few slots still available for competitors. Please submit an audition video and brief bio to the director, Sandy Winard, [email protected]

04/25/2026

Milwaukee’s longest running amateur vocal competition will celebrate our 19th year at Festa Italiana 2026. The Italian Idol show will be Saturday, July 11th, 8PM-10PM on the Aurora Pavilion Stage on the Henry Maier Festival Grounds.

Italian Idol is an amateur vocal talent competition for those 14 years of age and older. As determined by a panel of judges, we will be crowning our 2026 Italian Idol, and awarding a total of $1,000 in cash prizes. This is NOT karaoke, and your performance wil be judged on multiple criteria. All genres of music are welcome, and you need not be of Italian heritage. To be selected for the competition, submit an audition video and brief bio for consideration. Please email your video, contact information, and any questions to the Director, Sandy Winard: [email protected]

03/02/2026

Mark your calendar, and start preparing your virtual audition for being selected to compete in our 2026 Italian Idol Show at Festa Italiana, Saturday, July 11th at 8PM. Exciting details will be announced soon. Our 19th year promises to be very special! Please direct all inquiries to: Sandy Winard, Director-Italian Idol, [email protected]

11/27/2025

An offer you can’t refuse!

🦃 Let’s talk turkey… about BIG savings!

Festa Italiana’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale is here, and you won’t want to miss it!

For one weekend only, Festa admission tickets - normally $18 - are just $10 each!

Sale Starts: 12:01 AM on Friday, November 28th
Sale Ends: 11:59 PM on Monday, December 1st

Kick off your holiday shopping with the gift of Italian food, music, culture, and fun. Stock up for yourself, family, and friends

Buon Affare!

⬇ Click Here to Purchase Tickets
https://festastore.sfgrounds.com/2026-general-admission-ticket

11/18/2025

Stay tuned for exciting details on our very special Festa Italiana 2026 Italian Idol Show!!!!