“It is both a celebration of our community and an invitation for visitors to discover a side of Fayetteville they may not have experienced before.”

Organized by the Arts Council of Fayetteville, Executive Director Kennon Jackson says the festival began as a way to recognize the area’s cultural diversity while bringing together residents from different backgrounds.

“Its purpose remains much the same today: creating unity through food, music, dance, art and shared cultural experiences.”

Kennon explains that it began in 1978, when locals Martha Duell and Mildred Evans, recognizing the area’s many cultures, wanted to create an event to bring the community together.

“Many have chosen to make this community their permanent home, creating a destination shaped by an extraordinary variety of cultures, traditions, languages and experiences. It is an authentic reflection of who we are as a community,” adds Kennon.

What to See and Do

The International Folk Festival offers visitors a chance to experience the world without leaving North Carolina.

The festivities open on Friday afternoon, Sept. 25, with art exhibits and music along Hay Street. This serves as an appetizer to the main event on Saturday morning: The official opening of the festival with the Parade of Nations. An expected 75,000 visitors will witness a colorful display of flags, traditional dress as well as musical and dance performances that reflect the cultures represented in Fayetteville and the surrounding areas.

After the parade, visitors move a few blocks away to Festival Park. Music stages, the ARTS market and dance exhibit areas showcase the area’s international scene. Performances range from Indian dance and Caribbean steel drums to Celtic music and Mexican folklórico.

I attended the festival in 2025. Despite rainy weather last year, the music and dance performances as well as the overall cultural vibes overcame the overcast skies. Best of all, I sampled foods from around the globe at the International Café food market, located along the Festival Park Promenade.

My first stop featured Polynesian teriyaki chicken, chased by a Nigerian puff puff beignet. I also sampled Thai chicken on a stick and Guyanese jerk chicken egg rolls, and Honduran fried chicken with green bananas. My favorite? A puff pastry called a samosa, stuffed with potatoes and peas. I munched on flavorful food while strolling through the park and enjoying uplifting musical notes coming from the stage.

Why Attend

The festival is free, family-friendly and filled with authentic international food, traditional dress, music, dance, visual arts and cultural demonstrations. “The Parade of Nations is a powerful experience, seeing thousands of people line Hay Street as neighbors proudly carrying the flags of their countries and sharing their traditions captures the spirt of Fayetteville in a way few other events can,” adds Kennon. “It is both a celebration of our community and an invitation for visitors to discover a side of Fayetteville they may not have experienced before.”