Join us for the 2025 International Festival!  Admission is Free for this event for all ages.

Journey and explore the diverse cultures of Loudoun County!  The second annual International Festival event will be held indoors at Claude Moore Recreation and Community Center on Sunday, February 2, 2025.  Immerse yourself in the rich culture in the Loudoun County community through multicultural performances, local craft vendors and business, nonprofit organizations, children’s activities and crafts, outdoor food trucks, and more!

Activities

Experience and learn about the vibrant celebrations and festivals around the world in our Children’s Activities Area, which will host a “festival” in each room.  Kids will create a craft that will highlight an aspect of each festival.  

Come celebrate with us!

Carnaval

Carnaval in Brazil is a lively and colorful celebration filled with vibrant parades, samba music, and extravagant costumes. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, known for its energy and joy. Children will create their own festive masks and rainbow tambourines.
Cherry Blossom Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a vibrant celebration of the island’s beautiful cherry blossoms, which bloom between January and April. This seasonal event highlights Japan’s natural beauty and cultural richness, drawing both locals and international tourists.  Children will create a beautiful painting of the Cherry Blossoms.

Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Death is a joyful Mexican tradition that honors deceased loved ones with vibrant altars, marigolds, and food offerings. Children will create their own Catrina by cutting out a skull shape and make festive flower crowns.

Diwali “Festival of Lights”

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a celebration symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is marked by the lighting of oil lamps (diyas), vibrant decorations, feasts, and fireworks, bringing families and communities together in joy and prosperity. The children will create a Diyas windsock and a henna handprint.

Festival of the Winds

The Festival of the Winds is Australia’s largest flying kite festival! During the Festival of the Winds, the skies above Bondi Beach are filled with brilliant kites of all shapes and sizes. Children will create a small, flyable kite.

Lantern Festival

Taiwan’s Lantern Festival is an annual celebration marking the end of Lunar New Year festivities, where thousands of colorful lanterns light up the night sky. The festival features intricate lantern displays, cultural performances, and the release of sky lanterns symbolizing hope and good fortune. The children will create and decorate their own lantern.

International Balloon Fiesta

The International Balloon Fiesta is the largest balloon festival in the world, taking place in Albuquerque, New Mexico because of its ideal weather for ballooning. Those in attendance say the experience of watching hundreds of gentle airy giants take flight at once is both humbling and inspiring. Children will design their own replica of a hot air balloon.

Entertainment Schedule:

Enjoy the musically captivating and visually stunning performances of these local groups as they share a piece of their culture!  The entertainment will be in the main gymnasium this is year so that more people can enjoy these beautiful performances.   Tables will also be set up to enjoy food purchased from our multicultural food trucks while you enjoy the performances.

12:15 p.m. - World View - Park View High School Band
12:50 p.m. - Robert Mitchell - Irish/Scottish Bagpiper
1:20 p.m. - Voda - Ukranian Vocal Group
1:50 p.m. - Irene’s Dance - Mexican Dance
2:20 p.m. - Washinkan Kendo Dojo - Japanese Kendo Dojo Fencing
2:50 p.m. - Sakhi Vrund Garba - Traditional Indian Dance
3:05 p.m. - Sumaj Tusay DMV - Peruvian Folklore Dance
3:20 p.m. - Alt Washingtonia Schuhplattler Verein - Bavaria/Germany Dance
3:50 p.m. - The Bollyfactor - Bollywood Dance
4:10 p.m. - Laurie Blue Music - Jewish Folk Music
4:40 p.m. - Festive Flamencas of Northern Virginia - South American/Spanish Dance

Date: Sunday, February 2 2025

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location:
Claude Moore Recreation and Community Center
46105 Loudoun Park Lane
Sterling, VA 20164

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