As history describes, the largest wave of Italian immigrants made their way to Vancouver after WWII, where many made their homes and established businesses in the Commercial Drive area. Between the 1940s – 1980s, The Drive had developed into a true Italian enclave. Italo-Canadians, comprised of residents, businesses and building owners, were the district’s dominant influence and played a key role in revitalizing the community and landscape.

This included street celebrations and festivals with the introduction of parades in the 60s, as well as the Italian Market (Mercato) Day from 1977 to 1985, the predecessor to today’s Italian Day on The Drive. It is interesting to note that the name of the Il Mercato complex, located on the corner of 1st and Commercial, is said to come from the 70s Italian Market Day.

Leading up to 2010, the interest in resurrecting the late 70s – mid-80s Italian street festival was high among many Italo-Canadians in the community. The inspiration became a reality when the Commercial Drive Business Society, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, and other active community members collaborated and formed a volunteer team to make it happen. Supported by a grassroots group of about 10 – 15 volunteers from both societies and the general public, the festival was successfully resurrected in the summer of 2010. A monumental endeavour, the experience led to a unanimous decision to form a unique society solely dedicated to the festival, and in 2011, the Italian Day Festival Society was formed with a mission and vision of what would become Italian Day on The Drive. No one imagined that within a few years of its resurrection, the festival would explode as it did in terms of appeal, attendance and positive community impact from many perspectives: social, cultural, economic, tourism and international visibility for Vancouver.

A memorable celebration, the Proclamation was delivered by the Mayor at the Italian Day 2016 Opening Ceremony with a ribbon cutting and attended by many special guests, including the Italian Ambassador to Canada. Two years later, in 2018, Italian Day was recognized in the City of Vancouver’s list of Official Observances and Celebrations under the umbrella of Italian Heritage Month, officially celebrated in the month of June. In 2019 the following year, the Commercial Drive Business Society, with funding support from Fortis BC and in partnership with the City of Vancouver, unveiled new heritage crosswalks in the colours of the Italian flag at 3 Little Italy intersections: 1st Avenue, Charles Street and 4th Avenue. Fueled by the advocacy of key Italo-Canadian community members, in 3 years, the Italian Day Festival Society and its partners, the Commercial Drive Business Society, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre and the City of Vancouver, were able to achieve monumental designations and landmarks honouring Italian heritage and contributions. This would not have been possible without the return and impact of Italian Day on The Drive.

Today, the 22-block Commercial Drive district is a multi-ethnic cultural hub of boutique shops, restaurants, and nightlife, offering a unique and distinct flavour that many attribute to the roots planted by Italian immigrants. And at the heart, un cuore Italo-Canadese remains, which still beats in this historic neighbourhood. Italian-owned businesses with 50 – 80 years of heritage anchor the 8 block village where one finds Italian restaurants, pastry shops, a tailor shop, a ‘made in Italy’ shoe boutique, delicatessens, espresso coffee and sports bars – not to mention the soccer aficionados, especially with any major Italy win, pouring down to the Drive. With these ingredients, it is no surprise that in 2020, the Lonely Planet, a popular travel guide, designated Commercial Drive as one of the world’s ‘coolest’ neighbourhoods among 50 cities around the globe.