Annual Charlotte International Festival

The 2024 International Festival will be September 21, 2024 from 10 am to 6 pm (see event schedule tab for more details). We hope to see many cultural representatives for many different countries. Please direct any questions to: globaleducation@charlotte.edu.

We are happy to announce that this year the International Festival will be a part of the Charlotte International Arts Festival as a cultural partner!

The International Festival is held on the UNC Charlotte campus in and around the Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC). See the "Directions and Parking" tab for more information.

The International Festival is centered around booths arranged in colorful marketplace style representing the cultures of over 35 nations. The booths are staffed by UNC Charlotte international students and members of Charlotte’s international community and feature art, crafts and costumes from each participating country. Many booths offer international food for sale. Festival entry and parking are FREE! The International Festival is open to the public. We highly recommend you consider bringing cash with you to the event. While some booths may accept credit cards, many only accept cash; there are several ATMs on campus, but in past years, the lines can be quite long!

Throughout the day the music and dance of a variety of nations will be presented on indoor and outdoor stages. In addition, the International Festival, which is family-oriented, offers a number of elements such as exploring the earth balloon and African folk tales designed especially for children.

In addition to the hallmark elements, the International Festival includes an international games zone for attendees of all ages to participate in and learn about the cultural significance of various games. Participants can learn the rules of archery, play a game of life-sized chess, or join in a soccer match.

Founded in 1975, the International Festival continues to recognize the region’s growing cultural richness. Attendance at the International Festival in previous years has been estimated at over 20,000.

The International Festival is made possible with support from several campus and community partners including Chartwell’s College and University Dining Services, Cone University Center, the Office of Business Affairs, the Office of International Programs, and Student Union Activities and Recreation.

Schedule of Events:

10:00am - 6:00pm: Ethnic Group Display Booths Inside and Outside

Earth Balloon (See the World Inside and Out) Inside Lobby
Information Booths Inside and Outside
International Game Zone Outside-Upper Lawn
Sponsors Information Outside Sponsors Corridor

10:00am - 06:00pm: Passport Project (Receive Stamps From the Countries Represented) Inside Lobby
10:15am - 11:15am: Loch Norman (Scottish) Pipe Band Inside and Outside
11:00am - 06:00pm: Ethnic Foods Available Inside and Outside
11:00am - 12:00pm: Obakunle Akinlana (African Folk Tales) Inside Stage
12:00pm: Festival of Music and Dance - Inside Arena Floor
12:00pm - 06:00pm: Customized Tote Bogs - Inside
01:00pm - 01:45pm: UNC Charlotte Chinese Language Students Chinese Dragon Dance - Outside by Clock Tower
01:00pm - 03:00pm: Steel Vibrations (Caribbean Steel Drums) - Outside Stage at Stor Quad
02:00pm: Porade of Nations - Inside Arena Floor
03:00pm - 04:00pm: Hula Carolina (Polynesian Entertainment) - Inside Stage
03:00pm - 03:45pm: The Birdmen (Larger-than-Life Dutch Puppets) - Outside on Festival Grounds
03:45pm: Festival of Music and Dance - Inside Arena Floor
05:00pm - 06:00pm: Trabucos Latin Band (Afro-Cuban/Caribbean Music Group) - Inside Stoge