About the Festival

Celebrating 23 Years of Food, Art, Music & Irvine's Diverse Heritage and Culture!

Make plans to attend the City of Irvine's signature festival on Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at Great Park in Irvine.

The 2024 Irvine Global Village Festival will celebrate 23 years of community fun.

Attendees of all ages will enjoy local and global cuisine, a global marketplace, entertainment, art, and cultural exhibits highlighting traditions from all around the world.

On October 5, celebrate our multicultural community through food, art, music, and fun:

  • Watch music and dance performances representing diverse genres and cultures.
  • Taste a variety of food items, ranging from global cuisine to festival staples.
  • Shop for a variety of handmade goods and art in the global marketplace, including a newly added Junior Makers section featuring young entrepreneurs.
  • Browse art exhibitions and cultural displays showcasing traditional dress, culinary and religious traditions, and history.
  • Get creative in the Kids Village, featuring crafts and interactive activities.
  • Play in this year’s new Sports & Games Arena and learn and explore the origins of these activities.
  • Ride the Great Park Balloon. 

Find more details on the festival happenings below:

 

Festival History

In 1988, a group of residents established the City's first Multicultural Festival to help promote understanding and build harmony within cultures. A second festival in 2000 sparked interest to expand the event to a larger venue, enabling attendance and participation to grow. In 2002, equipped with a new name and location, Irvine Global Village Festival moved to the Irvine Civic Center, where it drew an estimated 4,000 visitors. The dedicated residents who initially started the festival went on to form the Irvine Multicultural Association, where they continue to actively guide the planning and development of the annual event as it grows each year.

In 2021, the City celebrated two significant anniversaries, the City of Irvine's 50th anniversary and the 20th year hosting the Irvine Global Village Festival. The festival was awarded the 2021 California Park & Recreation Society Award of Excellence in the Creating Community Award of Excellence. In 2012, the City received the Cultural Diversity Award from the National League of Cities for its role in developing creative and effective programs, such as Irvine Global Village Festival, that improve and promote cultural diversity. In 2009, Irvine Global Village Festival was voted "Best Festival" by OC Weekly. 

Now the City's signature event, the Festival continues to highlight Irvine's vibrant and diverse community and has grown to include more than 100 musical, dance, and demonstration performances on multiple stages, and features a variety of local and global cuisines, kids' crafts and activities, cultural exhibits, and a global marketplace.