The Italian food festival (13-15 July) has teamed up with Play Factore to keep the kids entertained

Manchester's only Italian food festival, Festa Italiana, has teamed up with the Play Factore to put together a mini kids festival which runs alongside the main event in Cathedral Gardens (13-15 July).

Inspired by traditional festivals over in Italy, Festa Italiana is all about community and family coming together, from bambinis to nonnas (nanas) and everyone in between.

With that in mind, the team at Play Factore entertainment arena have joined forces with The Circus House to keep kids entertained in the Festa marquee. Activities include plate spinning, hula-hoop workshops, trapeze artistry and juggling - promising all the thrill of the circus. The Play Factore Circus House will be open from 3-5pm on Friday 13 and from 11am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

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The Circus House will be hosting workshops throughout the weekend

Youngsters can also join in traditional Italian cooking sessions, including a kids’ pasta masterclass with Carmela Sereno Hayes - a popular food writer and events guru, whose latest book A Passion for Pasta features speciality dishes from across Italy. On Sunday 15 July, from midday onwards, she’ll be teaching kids how to make pasta dough in a variety of shapes. Fancy it yourself? She’ll also be running a grown-ups class on the Saturday.

Italian-inspired face painting and live music will all add to the fun, and there’ll be plenty of food and drink for adults and children alike: including fresh juice, pizza, pasta, ice cream, crepes and of course Nutella. 

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Kids can get stuck in with ‘Bambini Cucina’ sessions

Asiya Durrani, General Manager of Play Factore commented: “We are thrilled to host the children’s area at Festa Italiana. Play Factore and the Festa have the same wholesome ideals - family, fun and food…like us, the team are dedicated to making sure that a great day out can include the whole family. We can’t wait to bring the extraordinary adventure of Play Factore to Cathedral Gardens this July with our friends from The Circus House.”

See here for more Festa Italiana highlights - including a buon banquet with Salvi's, San Carlo and Lupo.

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Festival founder and Salvi's owner, Maurizio Cecco (left), with San Carlo MD Marcello Distefano

Festa Italiana takes place from 13-15 July at Cathedral Gardens - all events are free to join