Festival of Nations returns to Tower Grove Park with a global menu and vibrant performances
Spanning more than 80 nations, Festival of Nations stands as one of the region’s largest multicultural gatherings, offering a feast for the senses with more than 180 food, retail, and experiential vendors and 30-plus performers. This year’s edition is set in Tower Grove Park, with the celebration running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 24. The event is cashless, and admission is free, though VIP experiences are available. Single-day VIP passes are priced at $80, while a weekend bundle is $120.
A robust lineup, with a few familiar faces missing
The festival’s official listings note 92 food vendors, though a handful of longtime participants—El Molino del Sureste, Kain Tayo, Kimchi Guys, and Levels—will not be participating this year. Even with those absences, the lineup remains diverse and expansive, representing cuisines from across the globe. Sample participants include:
– Axxait (Turkish)
– Belizean Food (Belizean)
– Chin Community of STL (Burmese)
– Fufu n’N Sauce (Togolese)
– Gunash (Georgian)
– Island Delights (Trinidadian)
– Kandelus Food (Panamanian)
– Manje Kreyol Grill (Haitian)
– Messy Mimisaz, Mini Afrique, and Camerronian Community (Cameroonian)
– Phestia Nigerian Restaurant (Nigerian)
– Simba Ugandan Restaurant (Ugandan)
– Sur Sabor (Chilean)
– Tango Argentina Food (Argentinean)
Dishes to try
Among the wide array of offerings, a handful of dishes highlight the festival’s flavor diversity:
– AKEM, a St. Louis–based group representing Nigerian cuisine, showcasing Jollof Rice, Fufu, Egusi Soup, and Goat Meat Pepper. Jollof is celebrated for its festive, peppers-and-tomato base; Fufu symbolizes family and community; Egusi soup brings hearty richness from melon seeds and assorted meats.
– Chan Concessions (Katy, Texas) brings Asian street-food favorites, including the Korean Style Corndog Hot Cheeto, topped with a spicy sriracha aioli and dusted with Flaming Hot Cheetos.
– The Foundry Bakery (Maryland Heights) features Moon Cakes in flavors like Salted Duck Yolk, Taro Globe, and Mung Bean Black Sesame.
– Jez Foods (O’Fallon) serves Waakye, a Ghanaian rice-and-beans dish cooked with sorghum leaves for its distinctive color and depth.
– Kirgizistan LLC (Maryland Heights) offers Uzbek Pilav (lamb, carrot, onion rice) and Manti (steamed meat dumplings)—comfort foods from Central Asia.
– Oven Canvas Bakery (St. Louis) presents lemon matcha cookies, caramel fudge brownies, and Canvas Cans that blend dessert and art-inspired presentation.
Practical details and tips
– The event is cashless, so plan to use digital payments at vendors.
– Admission is free, with premium VIP experiences available for those seeking an enhanced festival day.
– Map out a plan to sample a variety of cuisines and catch performances across the weekend.
Why this matters
Festival of Nations provides a concrete hub for cultural exchange, community connection, and support for local immigrant and minority-owned vendors. It offers an accessible way for attendees to explore global flavors, crafts, and performances in a single lively setting, reinforcing the region’s diverse cultural landscape.
A hopeful, positive takeaway
The festival’s broad representation of nations and cuisines underscores the power of food and culture to bring people together, celebrate shared humanity, and foster curiosity about the world right in the heart of the community.
Brief summary
Festival of Nations returns to Tower Grove Park for a weekend of global flavors, performances, and curated experiences, featuring a wide array of vendors and dishes from around the world, with free admission and VIP upgrade options.
Optional additions to consider for the post
– A quick map or list of vendor clusters to help readers navigate the festival efficiently.
– A “what to bring” checklist (e.g., comfortable footwear, portable charger, weather-appropriate gear) given the outdoor setting.
– A note encouraging attendees to check the schedule for performances and live shows to maximize their visit.
– A short section highlighting accessibility and family-friendly aspects if applicable, along with parking or public transit tips.