About the Feast

Every year, the community comes together for a multi-day celebration honoring "The Healing Saints" Cosmas and Damian. Featuring delicious food, games, rides, and free live entertainment, the Feast is a time for family, friends, and neighbors to connect and celebrate Italian traditions. Many return year after year, including longtime devotees from areas like the Bronx, New York.

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​The festivities begin when the statues of Saints Cosmas and Damian are brought out from their chapel on Porter Street. Bands play the American and Italian national anthems, the traditional hymn “Lind,” and the Marcia Reale as confetti and fireworks fill the air. The Saints are placed in a temporary outdoor chapel on Warren Street while music, food, and carnival rides/games continue through the rest if the evening. This routine continues throughout the Feast weekend. ​​

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​​Sunday opens with coffee and Italian pastries, followed by an outdoor Mass at the Warren Street stage. After Mass, the Society hosts a traditional Italian dinner for all to enjoy. ​

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That afternoon, the “Grand Procession” begins. Accompanied by bands and floats, the Saints are carried through the streets of East Cambridge and Somerville. Families along the route host open houses, and the statues are brought to each doorstep where devotees pray, offer donations of money and gold, and touch the Saints. Fireworks, confetti, and music accompany the procession, and the Saints are lifted three times at each stop to bless the home. Many return to the homes their families once lived in. The procession continues until around 7 PM, when it reaches Warren Street. Entertainment continues until the Saints are brought back to their Porter Street chapel at 10 PM.

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The festival has grown significantly in size over the years. On 5 year anniversaries, the Feast is expanded with a second, larger stage on Cambridge Street for world-famous Saturday night headliner acts. World known entertainers who have previously performed at the Feast include Wayne Newton, The Village People, Starship, Chubby Chucker, All-4-One, Peaches & Herb, Al Martino, Frankie Avalon, Tony Orlando, Bobby Rydell, Danny Seraphine & Bill Champlin, The Drifters, Martha Wash, The Platters, Stevie B., Tavares, The Cover Girls, The Duprees, Debbie Deb, Sweet Sensation, Shannon, The Coasters, Jimmy Osmond, The Tokens, The Stylistics, The Tramps, Thelma Houston, Brenda K. Starr, Thea Austin, The Cover Girls, and LaLa Brooks & The Crystals, The Manhattans, Bonnie Pointer, Exposé, The Capris, Ayla Brown, James Massone, and SNAP!. 

 

Families involved in the Feast dedicate themselves year-round to its planning and success. For many, participation is a deeply rooted family tradition passed down through generations.

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In 1988, the Smithsonian Institute asked our Society to recreate the Feast on the National Mall, along with the Madonna Del Soccorso Di Sciacca Society (Fisherman's Feast) and the Saint Anthony Di Padova Da Montefalcione Society (Saint Anthony's Feast). The festival lasted 2 days and took place over the July 4th holiday. This invitation was quite an honor for our organization, and the event was one that will be talked about for generations. Over 3 million people were present for this spectacular celebration!