The International Folk Festival returns for its 48th year on Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County holds this yearly celebration to honor the vibrant cultures that make up our community through dance performances, cultural crafts, live music and more.
With its inaugural event in 1978, the IFF was formed by Martha Duell and former councilwoman Mildred Evans, who wanted to spotlight the diversity found throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Since then, the festival has become the Arts Council’s biggest annual event, bringing significant cultural and economic benefit to the area — especially the region’s vendors who come to sell their wares.
“It’s just beautiful to have a specific event where all are allowed to celebrate their cultures, so I think that specifically creating that space is important for the community,” said Miles McKeller-Smith, director of public relations for the Arts Council.
The festival will take place at Festival Park on 335 Ray Ave. and is free to the public. Multiple nonprofit organizations, vendors and performers show up each year to embody their cultural pride and share their customs. Over 30 nations and territories, including Ghana, Puerto Rico, India and Japan, will be represented in the signature Parade of Nations and the International Cafe.
This year’s celebration has a notable change; it has moved from its usual weekend slot to Friday and Saturday to coincide with Cool Spring Downtown District’s Fourth Friday.
“It’s just something to really kind of set the tone for the weekend, so I would say specifically Friday is going to be a new thing for us,” said McKeller-Smith. “It’s also going to be nice to just have the second half — basically the end of the day, nice cool temperatures and hopefully a beautiful setting there on Hay Street.”
El Centro Hispano, a nonprofit organization serving the Latino community, will lead the Friday entertainment starting at 4 p.m., and local businesses along Hay Street will be open until 9 p.m. Attendees can also view art pieces exhibited on Hay Street, organized by the Arts Council.
On Saturday, the Friends of Civil Affairs Run Around the World will start at 8 a.m. This running event typically occurs on the same weekend as IFF and raises money for the FOCA Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships to the children and spouses of Civil Affairs soldiers. If you’re looking to participate, lace up your running shoes and come down to the starting point at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on 536 N. Eastern Blvd. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Fayetteville/AroundtheWorldRun.
For those who want to jump straight into the activities, the Parade of Nations will take to Hay Street at 10 a.m. Festival Park opens at noon and will host vendors and performers until 7 p.m. Among the many groups that will attend, individuals representing Hawaii and Azerbaijan will be performing, as well as Fayetteville Latin Dance.
Enjoy live art on the Festival Park lawn, and visit the IFF Arts Market to buy handmade goods from artisans across the state. Visitors can also drop by the Arts Council at 301 Hay Street to explore their latest exhibit, “Celebration of Sapphire: Mail Art from Around the World,” which will run from Friday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Oct. 25.
As this is a family-friendly occasion, a designated Kids Area will be available in Festival Park to stoke a love of art in young ones and keep them engaged. The mobile arts and crafts truck Skoolie Xpress will provide fun creative experiences for children, while the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will hold an “instrument petting zoo” where kids can learn about different musical instruments.
Once you work up an appetite, stroll through the International Cafe to try some Jamaican patties, or have a taste of Native American fry bread. International food vendors offer delicious cultural staples, allowing attendees to expand their palates right here in Fayetteville.
An IFF giveaway also offers festivalgoers a chance to win a $200 Visa gift card. Try your luck before Sunday, Sept. 20 by registering at https://fayobserver.gannettcontests.com/2026-Fayetteville-International-Folk-Festival-/.
“We’re looking forward to seeing everybody; we’re excited to be able to bring the parade back this year,” said McKeller-Smith, referring to last year’s parade that was canceled due to inclement weather. “This is our biggest event every year, so we’re definitely ready to get it going on this end.”
For more information, reach out to the Arts Council at admin@theartscouncil.com or 910-323-1776. You can also sign up to be a volunteer by submitting the Google form at https://tinyurl.com/4uksff43.

(Photo: The Parade of Nations at the International Folk Fest will showcase people, dances and costumes from all over the world. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County)