Buon Ferragosto at Hay St Market

Overview

This weekend, Hay St Market at Paddy's transforms into a vibrant Italian piazza to celebrate one of Italy's most beloved summer holidays — Ferragosto. Picture a three-day cultural extravaganza with decadent Italian delights, including hand-rolled gnocchi and piped-to-order cannoli, and of course, an Aperol Spritz.

Ferragosto traditionally marks the height of the summer harvest in Italy, celebrating with a day of rest and feasting with family. While it might not be summer here, the holiday is reimagined with music, colour and the aromas of regional Italian cooking taking over Haymarket. 

From Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17, the 3,000 square-metre market will be filled with roaming food carts and market stalls serving golden saffron arancini, schiacciata-stuffed porchetta rolls with salsa verde and crackling, and slow-cooked stews over creamy polenta. Plus, desserts like tiramisu trays, cinnamon-dusted bomboloni and scoop after scoop of gelato.

On Saturday, August 16, from 12–3pm, a live Italian band will soundtrack your spritz-sipping and market wandering, making it the perfect afternoon of indulgence. Hay St Market Culinary Director George Diamond has worked closely with market traders to curate the menu and capture the spirit of Ferragosto "with every bite".

Entry to Buon Farragosto is free, so make sure you head down at some point over the weekend and enjoy this flavour-packed Italian getaway in the heart of Sydney. Find out more about the food on offer at the Hay St Market website.