Chandler Multicultural Festival
Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza
The Multicultural Festival is a part of the Celebration of Unity annual events held each January to honor our community's heritage and diversity, along with the spirit and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the civil rights movement.
In it's 28th year the Multicultural Festival promotes the cultural diversity of our community through music, dance, art, storytelling and more. Enjoy cultural performances, kids' activities, unique vendors and delicious food.
During the Celebration of Unity we'll announce the winners of the Creative Expression Competition and the inaugural MLK Jr. Award winners, and hear from Dr. Tamkia Sanders at her Be the Change - Finding Your Movement multi-media presentation. The Chandler Public Library will also showcase a variety of micro-events to celebrate unity in the Chandler community.
Multicultural Festival Event Information
| Time | Performer |
|---|---|
| 11 a.m. |
Guitarras Latina | Live Band Performances of Latin/American music |
| 12 p.m. |
Official Welcome | Mayor Kevin Hartke |
| 12:10 p.m. | Victor Hardy | Gospel Singer |
| 12:30 p.m. | Intel Equity in STEAM Initiative Grant Winners Presentation |
| 1 p.m. | Miss Indian Arizona |
| 1:10 p.m. | Indigenous Enterprise| Native American Dancing |
| 1:40 p.m. |
Bautistaka Jukenbo MMA | Martial Arts Demonstration |
| 2 p.m. | Desert Embers Belly Dance | Group Belly Dance Performance |
| 2:15 p.m. | Era Kpop Dancers | Kpop Dance Performance |
| 2:30 p.m. | Kriti Dance | Bollywood Dances from India |
| 2:45 p.m. | Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli- AZ | Traditional Mexican Folklore Dance |
| 3:20 p.m. | Halau Hula 'O Ka'anohiokala | Hawaiian Hula Dancing |
| 3:40 p.m. | Creative Expression Contest Winners Presentation |
| 3:55 p.m. | ABCD School of Dance | Indian Bollywood Dance Performances |
| 4:10 p.m. | Mariachi Estrella de Cobre | Live Mariachi Performance |
| 4:35 p.m. | Raffle |
| 4:40 p.m. | Chilenos Sin Fronteras | Chilean dancing accompanied by live musicians and singers |
| 5:05 p.m. | A3X | Live Band Performance |
| 5:50 p.m. | Closing |
Food Booths
- Amigos AZ
- Cairo Streets
- Croatian American Club
- PHX Lechon Roasters
- Wiki-Licious Chandler
Food Trucks
- Beme's Cuisine
- Dad’s Ribs and Mom’s Tacos
- Minburi Thai LLC
- One Hot Mess
- Rain Cafe LLC
- Rock N' Rolled Ice Cream
- Smokey Blues
- The Dog Father Gourmet Hot Dogs and More
- TJ’s Best Taqueria
Merchandise
- Amor Fashion Shop
- Belts Bags and Cool Stuff
- Dreamflow Works LLC
- Everlasting Strands
- Gehna LLC
- Hellen's Crafts
- Home & Me
- Jimenez Gifts
- Laura’s Accessories
- Linda’s Creations
- Love Glasses Revolution
- Mariana’s Accessories
- OutIsTheNewIn
- Rain Cloud Designs by GG
- Rosanna Valentina Art
- Royal Bling Accessories
- T&L Boutique Artesanal LLC
- Touba Gift Shop
- Vida Mia Creations
Informational Booths
- Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
- Aliento
- Apache Lake & Marina
- Arizona Coyotes
- Baha'is of Chandler, AZ
- Beauty within us
- Bell Bank Mortgage
- Bhakti Vedanata Cultural Center
- Black Girls Do Bike Phoenix
- Burns Law Office
- Chandler Center for the Arts
- Chandler Chamber of Commerce
- Chandler International Film Festival
- Chandler Men of Action
- Chandler Police Department
- Chandler Pride
- Chandler Public Library
- Chandler-Gilbert YMCA
- Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
- City of Chandler
- Copper Summit Real Estate
- East Valley NAACP
- For Our City-Chandler
- Girl Scouts
- Her Mobile Massage & Spa
- JustServe
- Kenzie’s Kids
- Mabel Matos Diaz
- Make Way for Books
- Mera Chandler
- Miss Indian Arizona Association
- Mission of Mercy
- Renewal by Andersen
- Somos Dental
- Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
- Strategies For Success
- The FrenchAm Schools
- The Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies at Arizona State University
- The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
- Thrive Mortgage
- Vantage West Credit Union
- Victory Martial Arts Mesa
- Vision Gallery/Chandler Cultural Foundation
Celebration of Unity Events
Teen Civil Rights Button Making Session
Jan. 11 | 2:15 - 3 p.m. | Basha Library | Teens
Create a button to support the civil rights movement. All supplies provided. Program is drop-in, but limited to 25 participants-- first come, first served.
Celebration of Unity:
Multicultural Fashion Show
Jan. 13 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Basha Library | All Ages
Come celebrate style at the Basha Library! The multicultural clubs of Basha High School are excited to share their cultures through the universal language of fashion. This program is a proud part of the City of Chandler Celebration of Unity.
Film Screening: Selma (2014)
Jan. 12 | 2 - 4:45 p.m. | Sunset Library
Teens & Adults
The marches from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery to secure voting rights for black Americans are depicted in this docudrama set during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, and which focuses on the actions of Martin Luther King Jr.
Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy while watching the movie. Popcorn provided while supplies last.
Rating: PG-13 | Runtime: 128 minutes.
Inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Winners Announced
Jan. 13 | SoHo63
The awards program honors the accomplishments of Chandler area residents, including youth who contribute significantly to creating a compassionate and socially just community through their dedication to human and civil rights. Recipients will be selected for the following awards.
- Dr. MLK Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award
- Emma Arbuckle Empowerment Award
- Youth Action Award
Be The Change – Finding Your Movement
Jan. 14 | 10 - 11 a.m. | Downtown Library
During this multi-media presentation, Dr. Tamika Sanders will walk through past and current examples of how people have come together in the face of adversity to create change.
Continuing the work of Dr. King is something that everyone can do! It starts with finding what you are passionate about and using your sphere of influence to create change where you are.
Creative Expression Competition Winners Announced
Jan. 14 at the Multicultural Festival
This annual competition gives Chandler students an opportunity to express themselves through art or essay and share their talent with the City. This year's theme is Inclusivity for a Stronger City: Embracing our Differences to Build a Connected Community.
Family Fun
Family Storytime:
Multicultural Unity Day
Jan. 14 | 11 - 11:30 a.m.
Downtown Library | Ages 0-5, 6-12
Come join us at the Downtown library as we celebrate culture and unity through song, dance, and stories in this all ages family storytime. This program is a part of the City of Chandler's Celebration of Unity and Multicultural Festival.
Grab & Go Kits: Around the World Unity Wreath
Jan. 20 | Library Hours
All Library Branches | Ages 0-5
Celebrate cultural diversity and unity this January with a Grab and Go craft. Make a special unity wreath out of your child's hands! Supplies will be provided. First come, first served. Especially for ages 3-5, one kit per child.
Family Fun Night: Let's Celebrate Diversity!
Jan. 23 | 5 -6 p.m.
Basha Library | Ages 0-5, 6-12
Let's celebrate the beauty, fun, and importance of diversity! Join us at Family Fun Night for stories, songs, interactive play and a craft! This is an hour program appropriate for all ages that uses the elements of Sing, Read, Talk, Write, and Play to build literacy skills.
Event History
In 1995, the Friends of the Chandler Public Library established the Chandler Multicultural Festival to bring the community together for a fun-filled day of art, music, and dance while also learning a little more about the rich cultural diversity that exists in our community. The festival has grown into a signature event for the City and offers a quality arts experience in the comfortable setting of the downtown Chandler Public Library.
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Representing the Hispanic heritage, two young women perform a traditional Folklorico on stage at the Multicultural Festival.
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Turkish women hand roll dough to create a traditional Turkish dish as attendees learn about Turkish food.
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A vendor displays the calligraphy technique used in their culture.
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Cultural vendors sell handmade bracelets and jewelry.
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The Danza Huitzili group performers take pictures with attendees after their live performance.
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Representing the Hispanic heritage, two young women perform a traditional Folklorico on stage at the Multicultural Festival.
-
Turkish women hand roll dough to create a traditional Turkish dish as attendees learn about Turkish food.
-
A vendor displays the calligraphy technique used in their culture.
-
Cultural vendors sell handmade bracelets and jewelry.
-
The Danza Huitzili group performers take pictures with attendees after their live performance.