Valparaiso International Center holds its World Cultural Festival on Sunday, 20 September, at Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana, United States.

The event is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. at the William E. Urschel Pavilion / 1st Source Amphitheater on Lafayette Street. Organisers present it as an annual autumn celebration of cultures in the community.

The 2026 edition is billed as the 17th. The festival combines music and dance performances, food from local restaurants, children’s activities and booths from community organisations.

A recurring highlight is the Parade of Nations, in which attendees are encouraged to wear traditional attire and carry flags representing their heritage.

The value of such gatherings is not only in the performances. They offer an accessible setting for direct conversations that can challenge stereotypes and build local connections.

Attendance is advertised as free. Valparaiso Events notes that the festival is not hosted by the city’s events office but by the Valparaiso International Center.

The performance lineup and food-vendor list are published as subject to change. Visitors should check the official page for accessibility, weather and final hours.

Valparaiso, Indiana, should not be confused with Valparaíso, Chile. The festival takes place in northwest Indiana, in Porter County.

Image: Panoramio / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Lincolnway, downtown Valparaiso, Indiana. Archive photograph, not from the 2026 festival. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: World Cultural Festival | Valparaiso Events; SAVE THE DATE – World Cultural Festival – September 20, 2026 | Valparaiso International Center.