Daytona Beach International Festival

Dates: May 16–17, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM (both days)
Location: Manatee Island Park, Daytona Beach, Florida
Admission: Free and open to the public

Presented by: Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. (501(c)(3) nonprofit)

Overview

The Daytona Beach International Festival is a two-day, immersive cultural celebration designed to showcase global heritage while strengthening local community bonds. Hosted at Manatee Island, a scenic seven-acre waterfront venue featuring an amphitheater and expansive green space, the festival transforms the park into a living mosaic of international music, dance, food, art, and shared civic experience.

The event brings together 30 nations, represented through live performances, culinary traditions, artisan goods, and cultural demonstrations—offering attendees the opportunity to experience the world in one inclusive, family-friendly setting.

Admission is free for all, ensuring accessibility regardless of income or background.

Venue

Manatee Island Park is a centrally located cultural and recreational asset in Daytona Beach, known for:

• A large outdoor amphitheater suitable for professional performances

• Open green spaces ideal for artisan markets and cultural exhibits

• Proximity to downtown Daytona Beach and major transportation routes

• Ample parking and accessibility for families and seniors

The venue supports the festival’s vision of openness, movement, and immersive engagement.

Signature Marquee Experience: Community Mural Project

A centerpiece of the 2026 festival will be a Community Unity Mural, designed and led by renowned local artist Natasha Aziri.

• Festival attendees of all ages will be invited to participate in completing the mural over the course of the two-day event

• A dedicated video camera will document the mural’s creation in real time, capturing the collaborative process

• Upon completion, the finished mural and time-lapse video will be displayed at a local museum (to be announced)

This installation is intended to serve as a lasting visual record of community collaboration, shared creativity, and unity across cultures—extending the impact of the festival beyond the event itself.

2026 Highlights

• Representation from 30 nations.

• Heavy participation from area cultural organizations, including Hungarian, Polish, Slavic, Iranian, and Uzbekistan cultural organizations.

• Community Unity Mural, by a local artist.

• Collaboratively created and displayed post-event at a confirmed venue with accompanying video.

• Educational tie-in through a Local Middle School teacher-developed lesson plan to be taught in school and extended through the festival.

• Daytona Beach Fire Department demonstrations and youth water attractions.

• Participation from a local young author, integrating literacy and children’s arts.

• Involvement of various local organizations, adding historical and civic depth.

• Anticipated high-profile cultural guest (pending confirmation).

• Anticipated local elected official guests (pending confirmation).

Projected Impact (2026)

• Attendance: Over 3,000 community members and visitors

• Nations Represented: 30

• Vendors: 60+ international food and artisan vendors

• Performers & Cultural Participants: 150+

• Volunteers: 60+

Demonstrated Track Record (2025)

The inaugural festival in 2025 demonstrated strong growth potential and community support:

• Attendance: 1,000+

• Nations Represented: 18

• Vendors: 54

• Local Dignitaries: 14 in attendance

• Community Participation Included:

  • Volusia County – State of the Arts / Cultural Council

  • Boy Scouts of America

  • Cub Scouts of America

  • Ormond Beach Civil Air Patrol

  • Hungarian Heritage House (Ormond Beach)

  • Iranian American Society of Daytona Beach

  • Over 14 local bands and dance institutions covering Volusia, Flagler, and St Johns’ counties

  • Multiple local cultural associations

The 2026 expansion reflects both demand and proven organizational capacity.

Why This Event Matters

The Daytona Beach International Festival is intentionally designed to:

• Promote cultural understanding and mutual respect

• Strengthen civic pride and community identity

• Support small businesses, artists, and cultural organizations

• Provide free, educational cultural programming to the public

• Create shared experiences that transcend background or belief

In a time of increasing social fragmentation, the festival offers a positive, inclusive alternative—one rooted in celebration rather than division.

Opportunities for Major Donor Partnership

Major donor support enables:

• Professional staging and production quality

• Fair compensation for performers and cultural groups

• Expansion of educational and artistic programming

• Long-term sustainability of a signature regional event

Donors are recognized as partners in community-building, with opportunities for:

• Prominent recognition and branding

• VIP invitations and private receptions

• Association with a high-visibility, values-driven initiative

• Legacy impact through a growing annual festival

The Daytona Beach International Festival is more than an event—it is a shared civic experience and a lasting statement about who we are as a community.

By supporting this festival, major donors invest in unity, education, cultural preservation, and the long-term vitality of Daytona Beach.