International Festival
International Festival is an annual on-campus event with international food, exhibitors, games and activities, art exhibitions, ceramic sales, a children’s bounce house, games, student displays, and much more! All proceeds benefit the Soka Education Fund.
Soka University regrets that the 19th annual International Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2020 has been cancelled.
During the past two weeks we’ve heard concern expressed by some students, staff and community members about the wisdom of bringing thousands of people together for International Festival on May 2 in light of the current escalation in Coronavirus cases around the country. Although the Orange County Health Department currently posts that the risk is low in Orange County, we are aware that many large conventions and events are cancelling because of the worry about possible spread. Because everyone’s safety and health is our primary concern, we are regretfully cancelling what would have been our 19th International Festival.
Non-profit and business exhibitors and student clubs who paid registration fees have three choices: we can tear up your check or money order, we can mail back your check or money order or we can apply your registration fee to 2021 so that your can keep your space allocation for next year. If you paid cash you are welcome to come to the Community Relations office for a refund, you can ask for the cash to be mailed to you, or you may ask that we use your current registration for next year to give you a head start on keeping your preferred location. Please let us know your preference.
We sincerely appreciate everyone who signed up to volunteer or perform that day and we hope to tap that enthusiasm when we celebrate SUA’s 20th Anniversary on May 1, 2021.
Until next year!
Soka’s 20th Anniversary International Festival on May 1, 2021 will again be part of the Orange County Imagination Celebration, presented in cooperation with Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education.
Program & Schedule
Explore the schedule of events for the 19th annual International Festival!
Get Involved
Get involved with the May 1, 2021 International Festival as a performer, exhibitor, or volunteer!
Our Sponsors
Thank you to the Orange County Register, our Presenting Sponsor, and Fifth District Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, our Community Partner.
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The Orange County Register
Presenting Sponsor
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Orange County Supervisor, Lisa Bartlett (5th District)
Community Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Parking on campus is $10 in cash. We ask that you carpool and have exact cash to speed up the lines. We do not take credit cards in the parking lots.
Don’t forget to bring cash for food and shopping. There will be a Capstone Federal ATM on the back patio of Founders Hall, but it does charge a user fee.
There will be about 250 exhibitors participating. Goods and services generally include international food, hand-crafted jewelry, shoes, crafts, and information about local businesses and government offices.
Children may pick up a Festival Passport at the Information Center at the corner of University Drive and University Circle. If they get it stamped at no less than six of 10 stamp stations around the festival, they can turn it in for a small prize.
Accessible parking for people with disabilities is available in Parking Lot A and Parking Structure B. Shuttle vans will run continuously between parking lots from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to assist you. All stages are accessible and the Information Center can assist you in finding elevators and restrooms. These are also marked in the program, along with the First Aid and Lost and Found station at the Information Center at the intersection of University Drive and University Circle.
Dogs are permitted but not encouraged due to crowds. Dogs must be leashed and on pathways and are not permitted in buildings unless they are service dogs. Three of the four stages are indoors, so bringing a dog may limit access to entertainment.