Chandler will host its 30th annual Multicultural Festival on January 18th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza. Organized by the City of Chandler’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Division, the event will feature live performances, storytelling, art, and a range of international cuisines. According to the City of Chandler, this year's festival is expected to be the largest to date.
The festival will feature a diverse lineup of entertainment across two stages. Lion Dancer Ty Ng and the Arizona Art Academy cast will perform on the Unity Stage at 11:15 a.m., while the Cross-Cultural Stage will begin with a dance team performance at 11 a.m. Details on the full performance schedule can be find on the City of Chandler website.
In addition to music and dance, the festival will offer a variety of international cuisines, including Jamaican jerk and Korean kimchi. There will also be activities for children, such as educational STEM booths and an inflatable obstacle course provided by the Arizona Cardinals. A new feature this year is a custom cruiser car show, featuring modified vehicles from across the Valley, reflecting the local car culture.
Chandler will also host a Naturalization Ceremony at 10 a.m., prior to the festival’s start. Approximately 100 individuals are set to become U.S. citizens, with Chandler’s Chief Presiding Judge Alicia Skupin, a first-generation Latina, serving as the keynote speaker. The ceremony, in partnership with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, emphasizes the city’s support for its immigrant community.
Sponsors including SRP, Intel, the Arizona Cardinals, and PFM Asset Management have contributed to keeping the festival free for attendees, including parking in Downtown Chandler. For more information, contact Adrianna Tušek Erickson at 480-782-2224 or Dara Gibson at 480-782-2221. Media inquiries can be directed to Public Information Officer Stephanie Romero at 480-782-2231.
