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 |
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Festivals
Check out this list of the biggest fall festivals and Halloween events in Charlotte (or just keep reading for a list of upcoming festivals.)
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Friday, September 29, 2023
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Friday, October 6, 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Friday, October 27, 2023
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Barnhardt Student Activity Center, UNC Charlotte
9290 Barnhardt Lane
Charlotte, NC
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