Photo courtesy of the International Institute
Festival of Nations 2
This weekend, more than 125,000 visitors will celebrate different cultures—both newcomers and long-timers—present in the St. Louis area at the Festival of Nations. Each year, the International Institute puts on the festival in partnership with more than 100 local ethnic and international organizations. Planning on attending? Here's everything to know.
This year's festival will be Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where does the fest take place?
Tower Grove Park. This year, the festival will be located toward Center Drive, instead of near Grand and Arsenal.
How much does it cost?
Attendance is free, but you'll want to bring money to purchase food and anything that might catch your eye.
What other activities happen at the Festival of Nations?
There are three different stages for nonstop dance, music, and entertainment. Bonus: 50-plus food booths and more than 35 gift booths will be at this year's fest. Here are three additional stops to make:
1. The World Sports and Game Meadow, where kids can learn about different sports and games from around the world.
2. The Village Green, where kids and adults alike to learn the Spanish Flamenco, Indian dancing, the Mexican Hat Dance, Brazilian samba, Polynesian hula, and more. It's a dance party with stops around the world.
3. Global Corner. Sponsored by the St. Louis Sister Cities Program, World Trade Center–St. Louis, the Global Corner is a hub meant for exploring the cultures of St. Louis’ 15 sister cities, as told by their volunteers.
http://festivalofnationsstl.org/
For a full schedule, visit the Festival of Nations' website.
What are the food and drink options?
From A (as in Afghan) to V (as in Vietnamese), there are options galore and gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian at that. (Because taking a tour of the nations isn't complete without sampling their finest cuisine, right?)
How about parking?
Parking is available inside and around the park. Free shuttle service stops are located around the outside of the park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Handicap parking is located at the east end of the festival at the Grand Entrance and also the west end of the festival.
