Hoboken will host its 13th Annual Mutzfest on Sunday, April 27, 2025, under the 14th Street Viaduct. This festival is a yearly tradition where local delis compete to see who makes the best mozzarella, or “mutz,” as locals call it.
The event runs rain or shine and is known for celebrating Italian-American food, especially the handmade cheese that many Hoboken delis are famous for. Mutzfest began in 2013 as a fundraiser for the Hoboken Bike Camp, which supports children with special needs.
- Mutzfest takes place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, under the 14th Street Viaduct in Hoboken, starting at 12 PM for VIP and 1 PM for General Admission.
- Delis like Lisa’s, Vito’s & Son, M&P Biancamano, Tony Boloney’s, Dolce & Salato, and Vinnie’s Mootz will compete with their homemade mozzarella.
- All proceeds support Hoboken Family Alliance programs, including the Hoboken Bike Camp for kids with special needs.
What You’ll See at This Year’s Mutzfest
The festival begins at 12:00 PM for VIP ticket holders and 1:00 PM for General Admission. VIP tickets include early entry, a special food station, drinks, a Mutzfest swag bag, and larger food portions. General admission tickets include entry to the main event, tastings, contests, and entertainment.
Attendees can enjoy several activities throughout the day. There will be a cannoli-eating contest, a mozzarella stick-eating contest, and a Sinatra sing-along, which will be followed by a full crowd sing-along. Music will be performed live by Rostafa, a returning local artist. A beer and wine garden will also be open for adults.
This event features some of the most well-known delis in Hoboken. Returning this year are:
- Lisa’s Deli, which continues its family-run legacy.
- M&P Biancamano, a founding participant, returning for the 13th year in a row.
- Tony Boloney’s, known for creative food and high energy.
- Vito’s & Son Italian Deli, another founding member with deep Hoboken roots.
- Dolce & Salato, first joined in 2019, now back for a sixth year.
- Vinnie’s Mootz, from Lyndhurst, returns as a past winner of the homemade mutz contest.
- Owner Vinnie Morelli now runs his own deli after winning three years in a row.
The Hoboken Family Alliance organizes the event, which proceeds to local community programs, including the Hoboken Bike Camp.
How Mutzfest Began
Mutzfest started in January 2013 as a fundraiser for the second Hoboken Bike Camp. The first bike camp was held in June 2012, and the team needed money for the next one.
Theresa Howard, special needs director of the Hoboken Family Alliance, came up with the idea while jogging along the Hudson River. She noticed how often people in Hoboken claimed their deli had the best Mutz, so she decided to hold a contest to find out who really did.
For the first few years, Mutzfest was a competition. Later, it became more of a celebration than a contest, though the friendly competition remains.
Entry, Tickets, and Parking
Tickets are available now. Since the event often sells out, it is best to buy tickets early. Same-day tickets may be available, but it depends on crowd size, food supply, and weather.
General Admission entry is at the center of 14th Street and Grand Street, near the viaduct park. VIP entry is at 14th and Adams Street, near BWE Uptown.
There is no re-entry once you leave the event, so attendees should plan to stay the whole time.
Parking is limited if you plan to drive. The nearest lot is Park & Garden, located at 1450 Garden Street. People are encouraged to use public transportation or walk, if possible.
At check-in, have your phone charged and your QR code ready to be scanned.
For those without tickets, there will be a “Wait & See Line” next to the exercise equipment at 14th and Grand. However, entry is not guaranteed. This is not a waitlist. It only gives non-ticket holders a chance to enter if space allows.
Pets are not allowed, except for registered service dogs with the proper paperwork.
Assistance is available for guests with mobility issues. Go directly to check in, and staff will help you and one guest with entry.
General Admission attendees can buy drinks at bar ticket tables for $5 per ticket. Payment options include cash, credit card, or tap-to-pay. Drink tickets are then used in the beer and wine garden.
