Rhode Island boasts rich ethnic diversity. Each of these seven lively festivals celebrate the heritage and preserve the culture of some of the individual ethnic groups that make up Rhode Island. Annually, you can view beautiful authentic costumes from Bolivia, hear the lively music of Scotland, and taste authentic Greek delicacies without crossing the border of Little Rhody. Following are seven ethnic festivals to check out.
- Dominican Festival
Flickr/Charise L. This festival to celebrate Dominican heritage starts with a lively parade on Broad Street in Providence. At the festival gathering you can find traditional food, dance and music. It is held annually at the Temple of Music in beautiful Roger Williams Park.
- Blackstone River Theater Summer Solstice Festival
Flickr/Thom C This joyful summer festival held in July at Diamond Hill State Park features four stages focusing on lively Celtic and world music and dance.
- Cranston Greek Festival
Facebook/CranstonGreekFestival The highly anticipated annual Cranston Greek Festival is held for a full weekend each September. It features authentic costumes, dance and of course, delicious authentic Greek specialty foods such as gyros and spanakopita!
- Black Ships Festival
Flickr/Matt Cloutier Celebrating Japanese-American culture, the Black Ships Festival takes place at Touro Park in Newport. Some of the special events include samurai sword fighting demonstrations, a tea ceremony, and children’s games.
- Cape Verdean Independence Day Celebration
Facebook/RI Cape Verdean Heritage This annual Rhode Island festival held at India Point Park in Providence has been celebrating Cape Verdean Independence Day for more than 40 years.
- Bolivian Festival
Flickr/Matt Celebrate Bolivian heritage with gorgeous traditional costumes, music and dance at Alex and Ani City Center in Downtown Providence each August.
- Scottish Highland Festival
Flickr/Liz West For a thrilling day of kilts, athletics and bagpipes, visit the Scottish Highland Festival, held in Richmond, Rhode Island each July.
This list of festivals is proof that there is always something amazing to see in this little state. Click here to read about another special event that takes place in a Rhode Island park.
Flickr/Charise L.
This festival to celebrate Dominican heritage starts with a lively parade on Broad Street in Providence. At the festival gathering you can find traditional food, dance and music. It is held annually at the Temple of Music in beautiful Roger Williams Park.
Flickr/Thom C
This joyful summer festival held in July at Diamond Hill State Park features four stages focusing on lively Celtic and world music and dance.
Facebook/CranstonGreekFestival
The highly anticipated annual Cranston Greek Festival is held for a full weekend each September. It features authentic costumes, dance and of course, delicious authentic Greek specialty foods such as gyros and spanakopita!
Flickr/Matt Cloutier
Celebrating Japanese-American culture, the Black Ships Festival takes place at Touro Park in Newport. Some of the special events include samurai sword fighting demonstrations, a tea ceremony, and children’s games.
Facebook/RI Cape Verdean Heritage
This annual Rhode Island festival held at India Point Park in Providence has been celebrating Cape Verdean Independence Day for more than 40 years.
Flickr/Matt
Celebrate Bolivian heritage with gorgeous traditional costumes, music and dance at Alex and Ani City Center in Downtown Providence each August.
Flickr/Liz West
For a thrilling day of kilts, athletics and bagpipes, visit the Scottish Highland Festival, held in Richmond, Rhode Island each July.
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