The Celebration of Cultures festival returns for the12th year as the region's largest and most authentic multi-cultural festival. Named as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events,

Celebration of Cultures is held at CENTENNIAL PARK and presented by Nashville Metro Parks and Recreation & Scarritt-Bennett Center. This FREE event celebrates and embraces diversity by respecting, understanding, and appreciating the cultures of the Greater Nashville population through a fun-filled day of music, dance, food, children's activities, a marketplace, and an educational component known as "The Villages."

Over 30 ethnic dance and musical performances will be featured on multiple stages, and over 25 food vendors will offer a sampling of exotic foods from around the globe. Original art and imported hand-crafted items will be available for purchase. A children's area will include free interactive music and dance programs, storytelling, nature activities, and art projects presented by local Nashville organizations. Back for its second year, "The Villages" give an authentic glimpse of daily life in countries such as Germany, Somalia, Japan, Philippines, Burundi, Thailand, Jamaica, China, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and early Tennessee.

Special highlights this year include a performance by Grammy nominated, Honorary Chair singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, as well as a performance by the Russian folk band Moscow Nights.

Free shuttles will be available to and from "Region's Free Day of Music" held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the Parthenon will be open free to the public.