Read more about Evansville’s international community in the January/February 2025 feature story.
International flavor is woven into Evansville’s annual events calendar, and appropriately so, given all the cultures represented in the community. Evansville always has had global presence – neighborhoods that now make up the city’s West Side had heavy German immigrant population from their outset in the 1800s.
Volksfest, an August celebration, is a nod to that heritage. Hosted by the Germania Maennerchor club, Volksfest packs plenty of German music, dance, and cuisine into its three days.
Evansville’s many cultures are in full view at its universities, which hold numerous events. Every February, University of Southern Indiana international students share their cultural customs and cuisine at USI’s International Food Expo. The University of Evansville, meanwhile, hosts its annual International Bazaar in November.
The Islamic Society of Evansville has offered an International Food Festival for the last 21 years. The event draws big crowds to the society’s Newburgh, Indiana, mosque every October, and proceeds boost the Tri-State Food Bank.
While not as longstanding a tradition as those events, Fiesta Evansville has made a significant mark. Now a decade old, Fiesta Evansville is a colorful, one-day affair in October at Wesselman Park that celebrates Latino diversity with live entertainment, vendors, a parade, and plenty of food.
HOLA Evansville, an advocacy organization for local Latinos, hosts an annual food and cultural festival at Bosse Field.
Celebrations of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, also have caught on locally. Rooted in Mexico, families spend Nov. 1-2 honoring loved ones who have passed on with music, food, ofrendas — altars decorated with candles and flowers — and traditional masks and attire. Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s West Library branch hosts a large community observance.
The Cultural Society of India celebrated 40 years in 2024 with a well-attended autumn festival. Tri-State residents have flocked to the group’s colorful spring fest, annual “CSI’s Got Talent” show, growing cricket tournaments, and yearly chess competition.
Grace of Christ Slavic Baptist Church in Evansville has held Ukrainian food festivals, supporting the church’s mission to assist those impacted by war in that nation.
The area’s full potpourri of cultures is celebrated through dance, music, art, cuisine, and more at Festival of Nations, held by the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. each spring at Old National Events Plaza.
