UNCC’s International Festival, a popular, free festival that started in 1975, is taking place September 23, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission and parking are free.
Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, a big list of Halloween parties, Trick or Treat events, and our list of pumpkin patches, haunted trails and corn mazes!
The festival takes place at Barnhardt Student Activity Center, 9290 Barnhardt Lane, Charlotte, NC.
The festival features:
- Booths sharing the diverse cultures of 40 nations
- Dance performances
- Music performances
- International Game Zone
- Parade of Nations, showcasing the different communities’ traditional clothing.
Booths will be operated by UNC Charlotte’s international students, as well as members of Charlotte’s international community. The booths will include arts, crafts and attire.
Many booths are offering international food for sale. Please bring cash. There are some ATMs on campus, but lines can be long.
At the International Game Zone, you can participate in and learn about the cultural significance of games. Try out archery, play life-sized chess, or join a soccer match.
International Festival Schedule
Time | Event | Location |
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Ethnic Display Group Demonstrations | Inside & Outside |
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Earth Balloon | Inside |
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Information Booths | Inside & Outside |
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | International Games | Outside – Upper lawn |
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Sponsor Information | Outside – Sponsor corridor |
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Passport project | Lobby |
10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Loch Norman (Irish Pipe Band) | Inside & Outside |
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Ethnic foods available | Inside & Outside |
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Obakunle Akinlana (African Folk Tales) | Inside Lounge |
12 p.m. | Festival of Music and Dance | Inside Arena Floor |
12 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Customized Country Tote Bags | Inside |
1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. | UNC Charlotte Chinese Language Students’ Dragon Dance | Outside by Clock Tower |
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Steel Vibrations (Caribbean Steel Drums) | Stage at Star Quad |
2 p.m. | Parade of Nations | Inside Arena Floor |
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Hula Carolina | Inside Stage |
3:45 p.m.: | Festival of Music and Dance | Inside Arena Floor |
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Trabucos Latin Band (Afro-Cuban/Caribbean Music Group) | Inside Stage |
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More Festivals
Check out this list of spring festivals in Charlotte, or take a quick look at a few upcoming festivals:
Barnhardt Student Activity Center, UNC Charlotte
9290 Barnhardt Lane
Charlotte, NC