Holiday Folk Fair International

01/16/2025

01/13/2025

Korean American Day is celebrated annually on January 13, honoring Korean Americans who have made a mark on U.S. culture as business owners, military members, elected officials, doctors, artists, and more.

The Korean American Association of Milwaukee was featured on the American Culinary Federated Chefs of Milwaukee Chef’s Stage, presented by TightSeal Exteriors & Bath, at the 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International. Members demonstrated how to make kimbap or Korean seaweed rice rolls.

01/09/2025

to all of the amazing cultural dances we saw at 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International! Because today is International Choreography Day, we wanted to share one of the performances from a clogging group we welcomed last year, the Rocky Mountain Express. Clogging is a dance form inspired by many cultures, including Appalachian, English, Irish, Scottish, Dutch German, Cherokee, African, and Russian Gypsy.

01/06/2025

Today, Christians celebrate the feast of the Epiphany around the world, the last day of the Christmas season. This day commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men, who followed a star to Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus in search of the newborn king. Many cultures have different traditions on this day. In Spain, children do not receive gifts on Christmas but instead on January 6 to remember the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Ireland, this day is called Women’s Christmas, as men take over the household duties for the day. Other traditions include having one’s house blessed, attending church services, and eating a Three Kings cake.

01/02/2025

As we start the new year, we look back on the 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International with gratitude and look forward to the 2025 event. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 23, to join us for this year’s Holiday Folk Fair!

01/01/2025

Here's to all the memories we'll make in this new year. Happy 2025!

12/30/2024

Today Filipinos remember Dr. José Rizal, a doctor and novelist. Many historians argue that his novel “Noli me Tanger” and his piece “El filibusterismo” (Reign of Greed) inspired the revolution in the Philippines against Spanish rule. Though he never took part in any fighting, Rizal was arrested, tried for treason, and executed on this day in 1896. To mark the day, the Philippine flag is flown at half-mast and the president of the Philippines lays a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Manila.

12/26/2024

We’re wishing everyone a happy Hannukah and a happy Kwanza filled with cheer and joy!

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas from Holiday Folk Fair International! We hope you’re simply having a wonderful Christmastime.

12/23/2024

You couldn’t miss the music and dance at 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International! Attendees enjoyed performances at the All Nations Theater, featuring traditional music and dance; and at the Tanzhaus, where guests dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings.

12/21/2024

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire. It is the time for home." –Edith Sitwell

Happy Winter Solstice!

12/19/2024

As we prepare for the sweet treats that often surround the Christmas holiday, today’s is about 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International’s featured food: traditional desserts.

Traditional desserts have a historical significance to each cultural group. Techniques and recipes specific to a particular treat are passed down from generation to generation to keep tradition alive and well. Some goodies also symbolize ideas important to a group’s identity.

Pictured are some of the traditional desserts that were at Holiday Folk Fair this year.

12/16/2024

This week in Mexico and parts of Latin America, Las Posadas is celebrated. Las Posadas, which translates to “the inns,” consists of nine nights of celebrations hosted at different people’s homes. All guests form a procession before the parties to mark Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn on the night of Jesus’s birth. The procession asks for lodging, which is normally refused, but the parties continue as joyous occasions with food, music, and fireworks. Mass is held each day after the procession followed by children breaking open star-shaped pinatas full of candy, toys, and money.

12/12/2024

This year’s theme of Holiday Folk Fair International was “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Art.” Art was everywhere you turned during the event, especially at the Artisan Corner, where local and regional cultural vendors demonstrated their craft alongside their cultural booths. Pictured is some of the art present at the event.

12/09/2024

One of the highlights of 2024 Holiday Folk Fair was the dancing! Talented dancers from across the globe had us moving and grooving all through the weekend. Check out this performance by the Dance Academy of Mexico Aztec dancers.

12/05/2024

December 5 is Discovery Day in Haiti, marking the anniversary of the location of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492. While this day is a significant part of the country’s history, it, more importantly, commemorates the millions of indigenous peoples who started a revolution and fought against French colonization, achieving freedom in 1803. The day is celebrated throughout the country with food, performances, and festivals.

12/02/2024

Holiday Folk Fair International 2024 was a success, and we’re still thinking about what a wonderful weekend we had November 22 – 24! We want to give a big thank you to the cultural groups that shared their traditional art, food, performances, and dress with us, and for all those who came out to celebrate the cultural heritage of those living in southeastern Wisconsin. We can’t wait to see you next year!

11/28/2024

"I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual." —Henry David Thoreau

Happy Thanksgiving!