Skokie Festival of Cultures Returns, Showcasing 34 Cultures

SKOKIE, IL — Skokie will welcome thousands on May 16 and 17 for the 34th Skokie Festival of Cultures, a two-day event centered on food, music, dance and the many traditions represented across the community.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., at the corner of Oakton Street and Skokie Boulevard.

Visitors can expect exotic tastes, 51 music and dance acts, and a Cultural Pavilion representing 34 cultures. The cultures featured at the festival range from Pakistani to Japanese, German to Indian, and Assyrian to Eritrean.

“We are excited this year to welcome the 34 cultures represented in our Cultural Pavilion,” said festival chairperson Aryn Fletcher, “as well as a park full of fun attractions.”

The event will begin with a free “Passport to the World,” described in the festival information as the official guide to festival happenings. The passport will include a festival map to help attendees move through the park and its attractions.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. on the World Showcase east stage. The festival’s closing event, a “Festival of Colors,” is set for Sunday at 5:45 p.m. near the same stage and will feature music, dance and the throwing of colors.

Families with children will also find a dedicated area for younger attendees. According to the festival information, the event will include a $5 children’s area with play and activities.

More information about the event is available on the official Skokie Festival of Cultures website at www.SkokieCultureFest.org. The two-day festival opens at 11 a.m. each day and closes at 6 p.m., with the main weekend ceremonies scheduled Saturday afternoon and late Sunday.