International Festival of Holland celebrates global cultures with music and food

The city of Holland will turn the Civic Center into a hub of global culture on Saturday, Sept. 27, when the International Festival of Holland returns for its sixth year with music, food, and art from around the world.

“The city of Holland has welcomed international business for many years, and now we have people from all over the world that live in our community,” says Esther Fifelski, director of the city’s Human Relations Department. “The festival is a great opportunity for us to come out, celebrate our world, and meet other people.”

The free, family-friendly celebration runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at Holland Civic Center Place, 150 W. Eighth St.

Headlining the main stage is Firas Zreik, a Palestinian-born New Yorker known for reimagining the kanun, a traditional Middle Eastern string instrument. Zreik blends Arabic classical music with contemporary sounds, showing how cultural traditions can evolve while keeping their identity.

Other performers include the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, African storytellers and musicians, Japanese taiko drummers, Chinese dragon and lion dancers, and Mexico’s Ballet Folklorico Sol Azteca.

Outside, nine food trucks will create an international food court, offering tastes from around the world: Mediterranean shawarma, Filipino caldereta, Korean glass noodles, Kenyan sweet fried rice, American soul food, internationally inspired sausages, boba tea, and authentic Mexican birria, horchata, and mangonadas.

Hands-on art activities

Inside the Market Side Room, children can explore world cultures through art during the Children’s Fiesta from 4 to 6 p.m. Activities include Chinese calligraphy and Ukrainian “doves of peace” origami, hosted by community partners such as CultureWorks Transformative Art + Design Academy and Korean Connection West Michigan.

This year, Legacina will help families preserve their history by recording a shared story or conversation during the festival. Each family receives a digital keepsake to pass along to future generations, fostering intergenerational connections and celebrating their heritage.

Organizers describe the festival as more than entertainment. By gathering neighbors around music, food, and shared experiences, the event encourages dialogue and understanding that help build inclusive communities.

Fifelski says visitors often leave surprised that a city of Holland’s size hosts an international festival of this scale, evidence that smaller municipalities can lead in welcoming diverse cultures.

“This festival shows how we can acknowledge and value the contributions of everyone who lives, works, and visits here and create spaces where all cultures feel at home,” Fifelski says.