Join 100,000 of your neighbors from across the globe this weekend for the Festival of Nations, the International Institute of St. Louis’ signature event. The festival takes place in Tower Grove Park from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday.
The festival provides a way to tour the globe without leaving the city and enjoy food, music, dance, and crafts from more than 80 countries.
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“We have so many different cultures that call this community home,” says Blake Hamilton, president and CEO of the International Institute. “This is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate their heritage.”
That includes our newest neighbors, he says, but also the St. Louisans who arrived from afar generations ago. And it includes everyone, not just the featured vendors and performers.
“It’s a chance for people to show off, a place for people to celebrate their heritage, whether they’re onstage or not,” says Hamilton. “People enjoy learning about their neighbors.”
This year, the festival is focused on vendors and performers who are from the St. Louis region. With about 150 vendors, it’s also a bit smaller than in years past. (Hamilton’s top insider tip for navigating those food lines: Go with a group—divide and conquer the queues, and then reconvene to share the bounty.) The reduced footprint should make navigating a bit easier, with a little more space for all.
“What’s old is new again in some ways,” he says. “It’s a return to roots.”
New this year, there will be two performance stages with one focused on dance and the other focused on music. Crucial Rootz, Aida Ade, Samba Bom, Sangeetha St. Louis, and Marquise Knox are just a few of the top-notch local musicians, or watch dancers from St. Louis Irish Arts, Sumak Kamari, Canaan Wellspring, Alma de Mexico St. Louis, and Umami, among others.
There was concern about the festival earlier this year, when federal actions surrounding grants led the International Institute to furlough about 60 percent of its staff. While the festival itself never uses federal grants, Hamilton says, it was still challenging to produce the festival with reduced resources. “This community very much values this festival,” he says. “People look forward to it the entire year. We had people reaching out—vendors, contractors, everyday participants in the festival—offering how they could help.”
The proceeds from vending at the festival barely cover the costs of putting it on, he says. While it’s important to keep entry free and open to the public, there will be opportunities to pitch in. “We’re asking folks to contribute,” he says. There will be QR codes that allow for direct donations.
Attendees can also book an elevated VIP experience, including swag, drink tickets, access to air conditioning, and exclusive food and beverage demonstrations and performances inside the Piper Palm House. Those are $80 per day or $120 for the whole weekend.
Whatever version of the experience you go for, Hamilton says, come hungry and ready to enjoy all of the cultures. “We’re really focused on the fact that this event is a gathering,” he says. “We see it as a vital celebration of all the cultures that call St. Louis home.”
