The Intercultural Life Office (ICL) presents several events for Cultural Celebrations Week, Feb. 16–21, to encourage conversation around community and belonging.
This year’s theme is “Unity” and uniting student hearts in togetherness–yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
“Celebrating different cultures creates an environment where all students feel valued and respected, helping break down barriers and fostering mutual understanding of one another,” said Director of Intercultural Life Satin Bennett. “Each culture that volunteered to share their story this week will expose our campus community to new perspectives, challenging their own beliefs while deepening their empathy and appreciation for others’ experiences. United we will be; united we will stand.”
All events are free and open to the public.
Events for Cultural Celebration Week:
Monday, Feb. 16
ISA’s Cultural Showcase, Orange Carpet 11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
The International Student Association (ISA) gets students ready to travel the world without leaving campus in this global celebration on the Orange Carpet in the Thomas Commons. Experience vibrant cultural displays, stunning decorations, delicious treats, and so much more as ISA kicks off Cultural Celebrations Week.
Gente’s Craft and Dance, Orange Carpet, 5–7 p.m.
Gente teaches the cultural expression of Puerto Rican heritage by helping students create their own rendition of a Vejigante paper mache mask. Members of Gente will teach about the celebrations of medieval Spanish folklore that represent a blend of Spanish, African, and Taino influences as a way to connect with ancestral traditions through art and performance. The night will continue with music and dance. Don’t worry about having two left feet, the students are ready to give lessons!
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Lunar New Year, Smith Dining, 11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
ICL joins with ISA to bring a new spin to Cultural Celebration Week when the Spring Festival of Asian cultures hits the Hilltop. Gallop into the year of the Horse and watch how red fills the air with warm wishes of fortune, happiness, and prosperity.
Gong Xi Fa Cai, Gung Hei Fat Choy, Xin Nian Kuai Le (happiness and prosperity in the new year in Chinese).
Vạn sự như ý (May all your wishes come true in Vietnamese)
Cornell College Unity Symposium, Orange Carpet, all day
ICL comes together with all Student Life departments to highlight the importance of: understanding each individual's spiritual beliefs with Spiritual Life, designing our world to be more accessible to all with Disability Services, leveraging your cultural strengths to enhance your wellbeing with Ebersole Health and Wellbeing, promoting a safe learning environment with Campus Safety, and sharing spaces and finding community with Residence Life. You won’t want to miss going down memory lane with these photographic displays.
Wednesday, Feb. 18:
Meskwaki Dance-Versity, Orange Carpet, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
ICL brings an inspiring group of young students to the Hilltop from Tama, Iowa. Dance-Versity will kick off Common Afternoon by sharing the history, dance, and culture of the Meskwaki Nation.
Posse Sip, Snack, Share and Sing; Orange Carpet, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
ICL highlights family traditions that our Posse scholars bring to the Hilltop: from a drink bar to fruit salad and flan. Students will be able pick a song and grab the mic for a fun night of Posse Karaoke to end the Common Afternoon. Gente will also bring out the paints to complete the Vejigante Masks started earlier in the week.
Thursday, Feb. 19
BACO’s POC Panel, Smith Dining, 5–7 p.m.
ICL and BACO join to provide space and encourage togetherness over a mealtime conversation. A POC panel of students, staff, and faculty will share experiences and discuss questions as we navigate the idea that we are not alone on the Hilltop. BACO encourages everyone to show up with an open mind, ready to listen closely and expand their understanding of experiences surrounding cultural and social issues.
Friday, Feb. 20
Spotlight Foods, The Hilltop Café, over lunch and dinner mealtimes
ICL and ISA, in collaboration with Bon Appétit, have provided cultural suggestions for the Hilltop Café to highlight throughout Cultural Celebration Week. There will be international foods and drinks for participants to try and decorative displays to immerse Cornellians into the cultural experiences of the week.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Culture Show, Kimmel Theatre, 6–8:30 p.m.
ISA and ICL present the 2026 Culture Show. Students won’t want to miss this vibrant night of fashion, singing, dancing, poetry, and instrumentals. The Culture Show is an exciting opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage in a lively night of cultural expression and appreciation, a beautiful night of unity.
*all photos were taken at the 2025 Culture Show.