The Festival of Nations is one of the most popular celebrations in St. Louis each year. The two-day festival is a colorful celebration of diversity and culture. It features food, music, dancing, art and more from countries all over the world. The Festival of Nations was a nominee for About.com's Best Free Event in St. Louis in the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards. See pictures of the Festival of Nations.

For more ideas on what to do in St. Louis, see Top Things to Do in August or Free Fall Events and Activities in the St. Louis Area.

When and Where:

The Festival of Nations is held each year at the end of August. In 2015, the festival is Saturday, August 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's held at Tower Grove Park in south St. Louis. The festival is in the part of the park closest to South Grand and Arsenal. Admission is free.

Music and Entertainment:

During the festival, there are several stages for entertainment and live music set up throughout the park. Each year, there are a variety of performers including Irish dancers, Korean drummers, Caribbean musicians and other artists representing dozens of countries from across the globe. For a more detailed look, see the complete entertainment schedule.

International Food Court:

One of the best parts of the festival for many visitors is the food. More than 40 food vendors sell everything from Filipino kebabs to Cuban empanadas.

It doesn't matter if you're in the mood for Bosnian, Peruvian or Ethiopian cuisine, you'll find it all at the food court. After getting a bite to eat, take time to browse through the dozens of booths selling jewelry, arts and other hand-made treasures.

For the Kids:

Kids are a big part of the Festival of Nations. Children of all ages are invited to stop by the family arts and crafts area to learn how to make masks and other ethnic crafts. There is also face painting and many hands-on activities to keep kids entertained for hours during the festival.

Parking and Transportation:

Each year, more than 100,000 visitors attend the Festival of Nations. Some parking is available in the park itself and on nearby side streets. To accommodate such a large crowd, festival organizers also offer a free shuttle service to get everyone to and from the festival grounds. The shuttle runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, see the shuttle map.