A photo posted by Ryan (@ryanmcg215) on May 19, 2014 at 5:50am PDT

This weekend, May 16 and 17, the ever-popular Italian Market Festival celebrates the culture of South 9th Street with everything from food and drinks to live music and shopping.

The festival runs much of 9th Street in the Italian Market neighborhood (from Fitzwater to Federal streets) and spans both Bella Vista and East Passyunk. Year after year, the festival draws crowds of more than 70,000 people and fills 9th Street with prepared fare, largely from Italy, but also representing Mexico, South America and other parts of the world.

The two-day festival is rain or shine and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

Read on for our guide to the festival.

The Layout

As one of the city’s best-attended block parties, naturally the neighborhood revolves around the Italian Market Festival for the weekend, with 9th Street from Fitzwater to Federal streets shut down to vehicle traffic.

For more than six blocks, the streets are lined with vendors of international foods, wine and beer, and tons of fine arts and crafts, too.

More than 70,000 festivalgoers are expected to attend the event over the course of two days, making this block party one of Philadelphia’s largest annual extravaganzas.

The Food and Drink

The Italian Market Festival is the epitome of a food festival. The neighborhood is known as a a food lover’s mecca thanks to weekend produce sales along the street and a bevy of shops selling handmade pasta, fresh sausage, meat, fish, pastries and much more.

On the two days of the festival, the vendors along 9th Street whip up their best prepared foods and take to the streets to supply crowds with a variety of not only Italian fare, but food from all cultures like Mexican, Asian and South American.

A photo posted by @holanoff on May 18, 2014 at 3:13pm PDT

The star of the weekend is usually the whole porchetta from market butchers Esposito’s and Cannuli’s, as well as the grilled sausage from Cappucio’s. Of course, no one should go home without indulging in a fresh cannoli (or two) from Isgro’s bakery.

More on the festival, below.

A new participant this year is Blue Corn, so make sure to grab one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails made with fresh juice.

Many other nearby restaurants will extend their table service to the sidewalk so you can dine alfresco and enjoy the festival atmosphere.

The Artisans and Entertainment

Beyond food, shopping and live performances take center stage at the annual festival.

Music fans can look forward to live entertainment from an array of bands and DJs on four separate stages. Plus, the annual John Marzano Halfball Tournament goes down at the Christopher Columbus School Yard with a lineup of top players at one of the city’s favorite street games.

And the DiBruno Bros. Family Fun Zone at 9th and Montrose streets will offer children’s programming, arts and crafts, music, story time and more.

On the shopping side of things, artists and crafters come out to the market to peddle handmade creations from booths stationed at 9th and Catherine streets and 9th and Ellsworth. Look for jewelry, apparel, accessories, home furnishings and fittings and more. The full list of participating vendors is available right here.

The Procession of Saints

A Roman-Catholic tradition, the annual Procession of Saints is held every year on the third Sunday of May. St. Paul Parish in the Italian Market holds a procession where parishioners carry statues of saints throughout the neighborhood. Children who have recently made their first holy communion attend, too, donning their white first communion attire.

The procession starts at 11 a.m. at the historic Saint Mary Magdalen Church at 7th and Montrose streets, and pauses for the Blessing of the Market at 9th and Washington. The procession ends at Saint Paul Catholic Church at Christian Street.

A photo posted by Jenny Kim (@jennyjina) on May 4, 2015 at 7:43pm PDT

Getting There and Staying Over

Should you drive, there are parking lots at Christian and 8th streets, Washington Avenue and 10th Street, and many others. Check the map below for additional parking locations.

We recommend, though, that festivalgoers avoid the trouble of looking for parking and arrive on foot, by public transportation or by bike — rent a bike using Philly’s new bike sharing program Indego. The bikes are available 24 hours a day and there are convenient dock points, or bike parking systems, at 1084 Washington Avenue and 840 S. Darien Street (right near 9th and Catharine streets).

Or, you could just make a weekend out of the festival and stay overnight in Philadelphia. Check out Visitphilly.com for super deals on hotel stays and the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package.

See below for the festival map.

Italian Market Festival When: May 16-17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: 9th Street from Fitzwater to Federal streets Cost: Pay as you go More info: www.italianmarketfestival.com

See Below For A Preview Of The Festival’s Food

A photo posted by k r i s t i n d u d l e y (@kristindud) on May 17, 2014 at 2:01pm PDT

Keep your eye out for authentic Italian sandwiches like the meatball sub above or a roast park sandwich from George’s or a delicious sausage sandwich from any of the butcher shops along 9th Street.

A photo posted by @yellowed_sole on May 12, 2015 at 1:13pm PDT

The sandwich shops along 9th Street are also famous for their cold Italian hoagies.

A photo posted by @iamitman on May 17, 2014 at 1:36pm PDT

The Italian Market has a concentration of some of the best authentic tacos and taquerias in Philly, be sure to grab some tacos at the festival.

A photo posted by Geno's Steaks (@genossteaks) on May 13, 2015 at 7:25am PDT

Don’t forget that the Southern end of the festival is home to two of the most famous cheesesteak purveyors in the country (Pat’s and Geno’s), be sure to save room and split a cheesesteak with a friend.