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One of Denver’s only remaining Italian feasts returns to the Mile High City on July 18–19, 2026. The patronal feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, the National Italian Parish for the state of Colorado, has been celebrated since the church’s founding by Italian immigrants in 1894. The religious aspect, which comprises the Mass and procession, underwent a revival in 2024, and now more closely resembles the traditional Italian feasts of yesteryear.
In 1931, the church started hosting a street festival to raise funds to build a high school. They coined the event, “The Bazaar,” and held it every summer. The high school was officially dedicated in 1951, but the Bazaar continued. Meanwhile, the parish celebrated the Feast of Mt. Carmel in typical Italian-Catholic fashion annually. In the 1960s, the Feast and Bazaar were combined and since then, they’ve been celebrated together on the third weekend of July. 2026 is the 95th anniversary of the bazaar portion and the 132nd anniversary of the religious portion. The Bazaar will be Saturday, July 18th from 5pm–10pm & Sunday, July 19th from 4pm–9pm. The Feast will be Sunday, July 19th beginning at 2pm with Mass in Italian & English followed by the procession. Located at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Catholic Church, 3549 Navajo St. Denver, CO 80211.
By: Jenna Peccia. Italian Enclaves Historical Society Board Member
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