When: Sat., Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2016
It's no secret that the International Institute's Festival of Nations is one of the best two-day parties in the city. With more than 40 booths serving dishes from around the world, live music and dance from places as diverse as Mexico (Mariachi Nuevo Azteca), North and West Africa (Tribe Azuka) and Bulgaria (the Bulgarian School of St. Louis), along with a marketplace selling things you've never seen before and yet can suddenly not imagine living without, the Festival of Nations celebrates the great American rite of immigration. Many of the people on stage and working the booths are new Americans or in the process of becoming Americans, just like those of us who were born here. Come on down and meet the new neighbors — they're just like us, having fun at the Festival of Nations. The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday (August 27 and 28) at Tower Grove Park (4256 Magnolia Avenue; www.festivalofnationsstl.org). Admission is free.