Holiday Folk Fair International Returns for the 83rd Year – Tickets on Sale Now
The nation’s largest indoor multicultural festival returns to celebrate the culture of traditional dance and more
MILWAUKEE – Tickets are now on sale for the 83rd annual Holiday Folk Fair International, returning Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis. As a program of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), the fair is the largest indoor multicultural festival in the United States, bringing more than 40 cultures together under one roof for food, music, dance and traditions from around the world. This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dance,” puts movement at the heart of the celebration.
“Dance is one of the most powerful ways a culture tells its story, carrying history and power in every step,” said Paul Trebian, President & CEO of the International Institute of Wisconsin. “For more than 80 years, Holiday Folk Fair International has been a keeper of the world’s living heritage. This year, we’re inviting our neighbors to experience that heritage through movement, because when you watch a dance passed down through generations, you understand a community in a way words alone can’t capture.”
Experience the Fair
Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates culture in motion across generations. Visitors experience cultures face-to-face – celebrating their own heritage while discovering the traditions of their neighbors through real conversations, family-passed recipes, handmade art, traditional clothing, music and dance. Sustained by dozens of cultural communities and hundreds of volunteers, the festival creates an immersive journey around the world all under one roof.
Event attendees can enjoy:
- Live traditional dance and music performances from cultures around the world that invite guests to join in and dance along in the Tanzhaus and find a new favorite instrument or dance style in the All Nations Theater, ranging from high-energy and rhythmic performances by groups like the Nefertari African Dance Company to traditional Thai dance.
- Performers in traditional dress representing more than 40 cultures.
- Traditional dishes prepared and served live in the World Café and on the Chef’s Stage, with demonstrations showing the techniques behind important cultural foods like Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls (Gimbap), Greek Loukoumades or Italian Lentil Soup.
- Handmade cultural artifacts and crafts on display and for sale in the International Bazaar.
- Interactive exhibits bringing unique family traditions to life in Heritage Lane.
- A space for young people to explore their heritage and learn about others in the Children’s Area.
This year’s headlining group is Rossecker, which brings its acclaimed folk dance and music to the Holiday Folk Fair International. Founded in 1920 in Bruck an der Mur, Austria, Rossecker is one of Austria’s most celebrated folk dance groups and a renowned ambassador of Austrian culture, showcasing traditional dance, dress and music for audiences around the world.
The fair will also feature Bird of Hope for Peace, an internationally award-winning installation by Slovenian multimedia artist Eva Petrič, presented in partnership with the Milwaukee Slovenian Arts Council. The work takes the shape of a stylized bird built from nearly 1,000 handmade lace roses crafted by lacemakers in 11 countries, carrying a shared message of peace, compassion and renewal. Named the first recipient of IIW’s inaugural Preservation of Cultural Heritage Award, the installation will be on view throughout the festival weekend.
Advance tickets are $13 each. Tickets bought at the gate are $16 each, and children 7 and under are admitted free. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets for $11 each. For tickets, hours and the full schedule, visit folkfair.org or call 414-225-6220.
Quick Facts
Dates: Friday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026
Location: 8200 West Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214
Tickets: $13 in advance / $16 at the gate / $11 for groups of 20+
Free for children 7 and under
Questions: folkfair.org or 414-225-6220
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.
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