One of the most cherished Italian American cultural traditions in the Greater Boston area returns this September for its 101st annual edition. The Italian Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian - famously celebrated as the Feast of the Healing Saints - will take place across the weekend of Friday, September 11, through Sunday, September 13, 2026, in the historic streets of East Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The festival grounds center along Warren Street, Porter Street, and Cambridge Street, radiating from the Society’s historic chapel located at 17 Porter Street. The weekend schedule opens on Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, continues on Saturday from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and concludes on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Established in 1926 by Italian immigrants hailing from the coastal town of Gaeta, the multi-day celebration honors the twin third-century physician martyrs revered for offering medical care without accepting payment. The spiritual peak of the weekend occurs on Sunday, beginning with a celebratory Mass at 10:30 AM at Saint Francis of Assisi Church (325 Cambridge St), followed by the grand religious procession at 2:30 PM. Devotees carry the life-sized statues of the patron saints through the neighborhood streets alongside marching brass bands, pinning ribbons and donations to the banners.
Beyond religious devotion, the gathering transforms East Cambridge into an open-air Italian street festival. Visitors can enjoy authentic street cuisine, including grilled sausage and peppers, arancini, handmade cannoli, zeppole, and fried dough; live outdoor entertainment, featuring traditional brass bands, Italian American crooners, street performers, and family-friendly carnival rides; community philanthropy, upholding the saints’ healing legacy through charitable fundraising for local healthcare and community initiatives.
