Holiday Folk Fair International Offers an Abundance of Food Options

MILWAUKEE, WI – Traditional foods representing 23 ethnicities will again be a major component of the festival experience at the 82nd annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 21 – Sun., Nov. 23, 2025, at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

The World Café presents an extensive variety of delicacies from around the world that are designed to be shared by Folk Fair attendees. The following, including Afghani, Burmese, Ethiopian, and South Korean cuisine, which is new to the event, will have food booths with an extensive menu (a portion of the available options is listed) from which attendees will choose:

Afghani: Chicken Tandoori, Chickpeas; Vegetable Samosa; and Vegetarian Soup
American Pantry: Assorted Ice Creams and Soft Drinks
Burmese: Fried Chicken; Mote Lat Saung; and Burmese Fried Rice (Fried Egg and Chicken);
Chinese: Chicken Lo Mein; Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick; Pot Stickers; and Crab Rangoon
Coffee House: Coffee, Flavored Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and Tea
Croatian: Kobasica Sendvić and Krumpir Salata (Croatian Sausage and Potato Salad); Savijajače/Orehnjača/Mak Ovnjača (Nut Breads); and Sitni Kolačići (Pastries)
Czech: Vepřová Pečeně (Roast Pork Dinner) with Dumplings, Gravy, and Sweet Sour Cabbage; and Chlebičky (Open Face Sandwich)
Donauschwaben: Assorted Cookies, Bars, Tortes, and Strudels
Ethiopian: Beef Tibs; Red Lentils; Collard Greens; and Fried Pastries Filled with Lentils
Filipino: Lumpia (Fried Eggroll Filled with Chicken); Siopao (Steamed Bun with Chicken); and Adobo
French: Sweet Crepes – Strawberry Jam; Butter, Sugar, and Grand Marnier; and Butter, Cinnamon, and Sugar
Hmong: Beef Meat Ball on a Stick; Chicken Curry Noodle Soup; and Steamed Rice Cakes
Indian: Paneer Tikka Masala with Rice; Naan Bread; and Samosa
Irish: Bangers in Bun; Baked Potato with Toppings; Soda Bread; and Shamrock Cookies
Italian: Pizza (Sausage, Pepperoni, or Cheese); Meatball Sandwich; Arancini (Rice Ball); and Cannoli (Regular and Chocolate)
Japanese: Tempura Egg Roll; Hibachi Veggie Lo Mein Noodles; Teriyaki Bourbon Chicken Stir Fry with Rice; and Hello Panda Cookies
Mexican: Nachos with Cheese; Tamales with Rice; Quesadilla Supreme; and Fruit Water
Rohingya: Coconut Noodle Soup; Fried Flat Noodles; and Chickpea Paratha
Senegalese: Mafe (Peanut Stew with Chicken); Fatayas; Joloff Rice; Couscous; and Citrus Punch
Serbian: Sarma Dinner, with Mashed Potatoes and Serbian Bread; Burek (Beef, Cheese, or Spinach); and Apple Pita
South Korean: Seoul Bulgogi (Premium beef, marinated in a special soy sauce, stir-fried with onions and cabbage over high heat, served with japchae and sesame dressing salad); Soban BBQ (Pork shoulder marinated in soy sauce and flash-grilled, wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang); and Banana Milk
Thai: Crab Avocado Egg Roll; Spicy Thai Chicken Wings; Thai Curry; and Thai Coconut Custard
Ugandan: Goat Curry with Rice; Ripe Fried Plantains; Chickpeas Coconut Curry with Rice; and Mango Banana Smoothies
Ukrainian: Holubtsi (Cabbage Rolls); Borshch (Beet Soup); Napoleon Cake; and Walnut Cookie with Dulce de Leche

A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Music,” will allow Fairgoers to explore how traditional music represents one’s cultural heritage. The featured food at the 2025 event will be Celebratory Cultural Foods, which are living links to cultural heritage and traditions and an integral part of any celebration in many cultures.

Special attractions include invited international performers from Poland and Utah plus groups representing Japan, photographic exhibits, cultural murals produced by Milwaukee Public Schools students, the Artisan Corner, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, the Milwaukee Area Woodturners, a Children’s Area, a bonsai exhibit, Senior Day activities for those 62 and over on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23, a Youth Chess Tournament on Nov. 22, and an Interdenominational Religious Service on Nov. 23.

The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance, plus the opening and closing ceremonies; the World Café offering traditional dishes; the Tanzhauz, where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings; the Coffee House, where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians; Heritage Lane with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits; the International Bazaar, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience; and the American Culinary Federation Chef’s Stage presented by TightSeal Exteriors and Baths featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Advance tickets can be purchased through Thurs., Nov. 20, at the Folk Fair website (https://folkfair.org/admission/) – $13 each for those eight years old to age 61 and $12 for those age 62 and up. Tickets can also be purchased from all participating ethnic groups. Groups of 20 or more may purchase tickets at $11 each. There are no refunds.

Admission at the gate will be $16 for ages 8 – 61, with children up to age seven admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $14, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.

Hours will be 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 21; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 22; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 23.

For more information on the 2025 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.