Two stages, one Celebration. The world's stage in New York City — and the city's own stage at home.
Bringing the Celebration Home
A National City Cultures Celebration uses the same five-pillar model — adapted to the city's culture, scale, and audience.
A local version of the Cultures Celebration held in the Nation's Representing City — pavilions, cultural programming, Passport to the World, merchant participation, education, sponsor activation, and public cultural showcase.
To educate the local population, promote intercultural understanding, activate tourism, engage merchants, strengthen diaspora relations, prepare local participants, and build momentum before the NYC Celebration.
The Nation's Representing City, national government, tourism board, cultural institutions, chambers of commerce, schools/universities, merchants, sponsors, S.E.E.D. / Economic Empowerment organizations, and local communities.
Through Passport to the World, local pavilions, cultural programming, tourism promotion, merchant participation, educational exchange, sponsor activation, and preparation for the NYC Celebration.
In the selected city's own country — the same Nation's Representing City already engaged in the broader Cultures Celebration ecosystem.
Ideally before the NYC International Cultures Celebration, so the city builds momentum, selects participants, activates sponsors, and brings a stronger delegation to New York City.
What a National City Cultures Celebration Builds
A local Celebration turns NYC participation from a single event into a year-round movement in the city itself.
Citywide Cultural Activation
Pavilions, cultural programming, performances, and public displays inside the Nation's Representing City.
Local Intercultural Education
Educate the local population about world cultures, diaspora communities, immigrant contributions, and intercultural dialogue.
Tourism Momentum
Activate the local tourism board, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and travel partners.
Merchant Engagement
Activate local merchants, restaurants, professionals, and service providers through MundusPASS.
Schools & Universities
Educational exchange, youth participation, and cultural learning programs across local institutions.
Sponsors & Trade
Local sponsors, B2B engagement, trade office participation, and chamber of commerce activation.
Passport to the World Locally
Issue Passport to the World cards locally so traveler participants can begin the journey at home.
Stronger NYC Delegation
A city that has already celebrated locally brings a stronger, more confident, more cohesive delegation to NYC.
The National City Cultures Celebration is an invitation and an expansion pathway, not an automatic promise. Each Nation's Representing City decides whether and when to activate a local Celebration. We are here to support cities that are ready.
Indigenous, Native & Ancestral Communities. The Celebration recognizes that many nations are home to multiple Indigenous, native, ancestral, regional, linguistic, and cultural communities. Participation honors not only national identity, but also the living cultures, languages, histories, knowledge systems, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, Native American communities, tribal nations, ancestral cultural communities, first peoples, and native peoples from cultures around the world — as living communities, not as folklore. Local National City Cultures Celebrations are encouraged to honor the Indigenous, Native, and ancestral cultures of the host region.
Schools, Universities & Cultural Departments. For elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, secondary education institutions, colleges, universities, cultural departments, language departments, student organizations, professors, and teachers, the International Cultures Celebration offers a living public classroom where students can experience world cultures, Indigenous traditions, immigrant communities, national pavilions, cultural diplomacy, tourism, language, food, performance, history, and intercultural dialogue — in New York City and through future National City Cultures Celebrations. University cultural departments and programs focused on Spanish, Latin American, Muslim, Islamic, Arab, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, Caribbean, Indigenous, European, and other world cultures are warmly invited to participate.
Foreign Residents & Native-Born Cultural Learners. The Celebration also welcomes foreign residents living away from their native land and native-born residents who want to learn about foreign cultures, understand their neighbors, reduce prejudice, and participate in a more informed multicultural society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a National City Cultures Celebration?
A local version of the Cultures Celebration held inside the Nation's Representing City — the same five-pillar ecosystem (Passport to the World, Conference dialogue, Awards recognition, Flags ceremony, and a public Parade or cultural showcase) activated in the city's own country, ahead of or alongside the NYC Celebration.
Is every selected city going to host its own local Celebration?
No. The National City Cultures Celebration is an invitation and an expansion pathway, not an automatic promise. Each Nation's Representing City decides whether to activate a local Celebration based on its government, tourism, sponsor, and community readiness. We can help cities that are interested.
How does this relate to the NYC International Cultures Celebration?
The Nation's Representing City may participate in New York City and may also host its own National City Cultures Celebration at home. The local Celebration builds momentum, activates tourism and merchants, prepares stronger national delegations for NYC, and turns the city's NYC participation into a sustained year-round program.
Who supports a National City Cultures Celebration locally?
The national government, city government, tourism board, ministries, consulates, chambers of commerce, cultural institutions, schools and universities, merchants, sponsors, S.E.E.D. / Economic Empowerment organizations, diaspora groups, and the local community.
How do we bring the Celebration to our city?
Begin with the National Participation Application. Our team and your Accredited Economic Empowerment Development Officer can coordinate a local activation plan once the city is engaged with the broader Cultures Celebration ecosystem.