OUR STORY
The International Festival gives the community the opportunity to better understand and appreciate the incredible blend of people, cultures, talents, and beliefs that make Houston a great place to live, work, and enjoy.
The festival focuses on five major cultural areas: African American, European, Asian, Latino, and Native American, with many nationalities represented within them. Stages will feature cultural entertainment from around the world. Visitors will experience new vendors and performers as well as family favorites, and be immersed in a variety of different cultures from around the world!
This International festival is free to the public, and attracts thousands of people from Houston and surrounding cities and states. The Festival features a variety of fun, entertainment, educational activities, and exhibits for all ages.
Participating Countries included: Bahamas, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Native America, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, St. Lucia, Taiwan, Trinidad, Turkey, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Vietnam.
Unity of Nations and
International Awards Ceremony
Joined by The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston’s International and Multicultural Leadership will stand together to represent the cultural diversity that makes up our great city. Dressed in authentic traditional clothing, representatives from each country will offer a greeting in their native language and proudly carry their flag.
International Leadership Award
Through the Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in The International Leadership Award,
The International Festival celebrates outstanding institutions, organizations, and individuals who have developed inclusive practices that increase access, foster diversity and inclusion in international education, and promote an inclusive environment for our international and
cultural community.
Global Humanitarian Award
The Global Humanitarian Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding individuals who
represent The International Festival’s mission to diversify global education and demonstrate
a commitment to foster diversity and inclusion in global education through their studies,
community engagement, or community building efforts, writ large.
THE iFEST MAIN STAGE Anheuser Busch Stage I 2:00pm-3:00pm
Multicultural representatives and performers from each continent will provide entertaining and
educational highlights of their respective cultures throughout the day.
2:00-2:10 Unity of Nations Ceremony
2:10-2:15 Hawaiian and Aztec Drumming — Tropical Entertainment and Dance
2:15-2:20 — Korean Performance
2:20-2:25 — Irish Folk Dance
2:25-2:28-International and Multicultural Sponsors
2:28-2:33—Latin Alternative Music and Dance
2:33-2:38 — Japanese Drumming
2:38-2:43 — Filipino Reggae music and Folk Dance
2:43-2:48 —Jamaican Hip Hop and Dancehall
2:48-3:00 - World of Nations Finale
African, Middle Eastern, Polynesian, Asian, Turkish, and Indian styles.
International Business Expo & Keynote
Stop by community booths to learn about organizations and companies who serve the diverse community of Houston. The International Festival fosters good will relations with other countries in an effort to stimulate international trade.
International Trade & Global Business
Doing Business with the U.N. & An Introduction to the World Bank
Globalize Your Business & Create an Export Plan
Live product, service demonstrations, and sells
Distribution of product samples
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
International Shopping Market & Art Village
Accessories I Arts & Crafts I Clothing I Cultural Instruments I
Gifts I Home Goods I Jewelry
International Cultural Food and Cuisine
Visit our Cultural Food Truck Lane and International Cuisine Market to
indulge in for-sale cuisine and treats:
African • American • Asian • Bakery • Candy • Catering • Chinese • Deli
• Dessert • East • African • Gluten Free • Grocery • Halal • Indian • Italian • Kid • Friendly • Locally • Sourced • Mediterranean • Mexican • Moroccan
• Organic • Vegan • Vegetarian • Vietnamese
Parade of Chariots
The Parade of Chariots partners with The International Festival to
celebrate the diversity of our city and will spotlight three authentic, hand-pulled wooden chariots and traditional Puri chariots that were crafted in India, in addition to music, dance, and yoga.
The parade will kickoff the festival with a Texas flavor but authentic to the events held in India.
World Tour Experience
Come explore and tour the different cultures around the world. You can play games to learn cool new facts about the countries around the world.
TOWER OF AMERICAS
Located in the center of The International Festival, the 20-foot-tall Tower of Americas. The Tower of Americas provides guests the most spectacular view of our community’s birth cultures. This project is produced by artists of different genres and people of various cultural backgrounds, Lead By
Randall L. Kallinen, Director of Creativity for The International Festival.
THE iFEST NIGHTLIFE
May 19-21
Get your International Festival experience in Downtown Houston at THE iFEST Lounges, Parties, and other events held to officially celebrate Houston’s multiculturalism and diversity.
Mix and mingle with other cultures while enjoying live music, an open bar, and special surprises.
Official Events
Kickoff Party at Lucky’s Pub
Thursday, May 20, 2021 8:00pm
801 St Emanuel St
Sign up for THE iFEST Events Updates to receive the latest THE iFEST 2021 information and announcements including lounges and parties.
What's Nearby
Restaurants
Phoenicia Specialty Foods — Downtown 0.07 miles
Quattro 0.09 miles
The Lake House 0.12 miles
Bars
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Downtown 0.13 miles
Reserve 1010.18 miles
The Dirt 0.19 miles
Entertainment
Discovery Green 0.00 miles
Toyota Center 0.19 miles
Culture 0.19 miles
House of Blues Houston’s 0.21 miles
Hotels
Four Seasons Hotel Houston 0.09 miles
Hilton Americas-Houston 0.19 miles
Hilton Americas-Houston 0.19 miles
Westin Houston Downtown 0.25 miles
Health + Beauty
Spa at the Four Seasons 0.09 miles
Sunset Body Works 0.43 miles
FIT 2.34 miles
Shops
Houston Pavilions 0.28 miles
WeWork Houston downtown 0.37 miles
WeWork Houston downtown 0.61 miles