Travelling the world to visit 80 countries would take countless years, extreme effort and a lot of money. However, with the Festival of Nations, you can experience a plethora of cultures just down the street from your house. Each year, the Festival of Nations is held in Tower Grove Park. According to the International Institute of St. Louis, it is a two-day spectacle filled with performers, food and art. The festival, which has been a St. Louis favorite for over 90 years, attracts 100,000 St. Louisians, young and old, and combines the culture of over 80 different countries. What makes this festival so important and popular in St. Louis?

Festival volunteer Dominic Casola assisted at the event for the first time this year. 

“[The festival] showcases different cultures and […] that St. Louis is a place with a lot of different people,” Casola said.

Anny, a young vendor, sells art each year at the event with her uncle. They bring East African artwork to the festival, mainly from Kenya, Nigeria and Congo. 

“It lets people see what other cultures are like. What other people’s day-to-day life [is like],” Anny said.

At the entrance to the festival, musicians perform their diverse tunes for the crowd. Inside, tantalizing smells bombard walkers, each smell drawing them towards a different cuisine. At the same time, bright and colorful booths invite festival goers to purchase art from all different cultures. 

Attendee Eli Glass visited the event with his family and basked in the music in the park.

 “I live right across the street,” he said. “[The event] brings the entire community together.”

The 2025 Festival of Nations, St. Louis’ premier multicultural festival, brought together thousands to celebrate the rich diversity of the region. Packed with food, art and performances, the event evidently was a regional favorite. While the 2025 event ended on Aug. 24th, the festival plans on returning next fall to continue celebrating the traditions, culture and diversity of St. Louis and the world.