Fictional traveler Phileas Fogg did it in 80 days. Real-life reporter Nellie Bly did it in 72. Central Ohioans can do it in less than a day.
A trip around the world takes just a few hours at the Columbus International Festival, a multicultural affair with food, fashion and live performances from an array of countries.
Formerly known as Festa-val – after its founding organization, Festa – the event offers residents a chance to meet neighbors and experience new cultures.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to get together, cross bridges, break bread and really get to know one another,” said Lydia Emch, Festa’s director of staff and business development.
Festa, which works to end poverty via English education, summer lunch camps and other services, launched the festival in 2023, attracting about 1,000 attendees, Emch said.
“It was more than we were expecting; it was a very pleasant surprise,” she said. “It’s more than doubled in size our last three years. We had about 3,500 in 2025.”
The fundraising fest raised $150,000 to support Festa’s programs. Emch said she hopes to surpass that amount at this year’s event, set for 2-6 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Admission is free.
Main stage entertainment will be as diverse as the cultures represented. Performances will include Irish, Polynesian and Mexican folkloric dancing, spoken-word poetry and music by Mexican and Ukrainian bands.
Columbus City Deputy Chief of Staff of Administrative Affairs Danius Williams will emcee a fashion show serving looks from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Kurdistan, Japan, India, Algeria, Mexico and Nigeria.
In the global tasting room, guests can sample the cuisine of more than a dozen countries, including recipes handed down through generations. Tasting tickets will cost $2 per sample.
“We try to have a number of local vendors each year. We’re bringing in three new businesses: Diamonds Ice Cream, Bee Bubbly and East African Coffee House,” Emch said.
Traci Kaninberg, Festa’s communications manager, said various community resources will be available from local nonprofits, cultural, immigrant-serving, educational and public agencies, and community partners.
“We’re bringing in Columbus Crew, Columbus Futsal Academy and other organizations to provide resources and get people involved with Festa’s mission,” she said.
Kaninberg cited one of Festa’s taglines, “Creating a space for hope and unity,” to emphasize what the festival is ultimately about: connection.
Emch agreed, reiterating the need for people to learn about each other.
“We want to create a space where everyone can get to know people different from them, a space where we’re all getting along. That’s more important now than ever,” she said.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Explore global cultures at Columbus International Festival
