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From left to right, Gareth Edwards, Maria Fernanda Saavedra, Shawn Welcome | Photo by Orlando Life
FusionFest Returns with “Art of Joy" Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Orlando
Published November 23, 2025
One of Central Florida’s most colorful cultural traditions returns Thanksgiving weekend as FusionFest brings its two day celebration of diversity, creativity and community to the Seneff Arts Plaza in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
The festival, held Nov. 29th and 30th, highlights the heritages of more than 120 cultures represented across the region. Presented by a team of 17 curators and dozens more community partners, FusionFest blends music, dance, fashion, visual arts, storytelling, food and interactive experiences into one large, open air event. Attendance is free and open to all.
A Festival Built on Orlando’s Diversity
FusionFest’s roots trace back to 2016, when Guenet and Sam Roberts of Caribbean American Passport and Yves Bouele of the African Leaders Council approached Terry Olson, then the director of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, about creating a shared international celebration. Dozens of residents from different heritages began meeting monthly, exploring culture through food, dance, clothing, music and literature. Their goal was to bring Orlando’s communities together at the same time, in the same place.
That grassroots momentum led to the first FusionFest in 2017. Since then, the festival has grown into a defining cultural moment for downtown Orlando, representing a variety of heritages across Central Florida.
2025 Theme of the Year: “Art of Joy”
This year’s theme, “Art of Joy,” runs throughout the festival’s programming. Visual Arts Curator Gareth Edwards said the idea emerged after observing how people nationwide are seeking joy intentionally amid challenges.
“In an uncertain world, joy is an act of resilience,” Edwards told the Orlando Life. “Not the absence of struggle, but the presence of hope.”
More than 30 artists will present 67 works inside the festival’s large 40x40 art gallery tent. A companion exhibition, also titled The Art of Joy, is installed at Orlando International Airport’s Gallery MCO in Terminal B (third level near the food court) through Jan. 20th.
Cultural Showcases, Performances and New Citizens
Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore global dance and music performances on the main stage, international food vendors, nonprofit cultural booths, hands-on activities and interactive experiences for families.
U.S. citizens will be sworn in on stage in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Among the signature features:
Fashion Show: “Colors of Culture, A Global Runway Experience,” taking place Sunday at 2:50pm and focused on families and cultural attire.
Words & Storytelling Programming, curated by poet and former Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome, featuring poetry, folktales, haiku, and a new Authors Showcase in partnership with the Literary Arts Council of Central Florida.
Wellness & Joyful Orlando Tent, offering workshops on mental health, drum circles and global wellness practices.
Arts4All Tent for children with diverse abilities.
Cultural Displays and Global Exchange Booths, operated by community organizations representing heritages from across the world.
Visual Arts Gallery, showcasing artists interpreting this year’s theme.
Flag procession and naturalization ceremony, where 25 new U.S. citizens will be sworn in on stage in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The festival will also feature live mural painting, interactive art experiences, children’s activities and even goats, adding to the eclectic blend of traditions and surprises.
Why FusionFest Matters to Orlando
Orlando is one of the fastest growing and most internationally diverse metro areas in the United States. Many residents, like FusionFest’s leaders, arrived from other cities or countries and helped shape Orlando’s creative identity.
“We are all more alike than different,” Executive Director Maria Fernanda Saavedra told the Orlando Life, “People from more than 120 cultures come together because they know it matters. Diversity is the future of the world, and we embrace it.”
Shawn Welcome says FusionFest creates something rare: a space where people rediscover their own heritage while connecting with neighbors who share the same roots. “You can be from a tiny island or a faraway country,” he said, “and you’ll find people from home here. That connection is powerful.”
For Edwards, the festival reflects an Orlando arts landscape that has grown rapidly over the past few years. “The talent here is incredible,” he said. “This community is ready to show that we are far more than theme parks. We celebrate culture, creativity and the people who make this city vibrant.”
Event Details
FusionFest 2025
Dates: Nov. 29-30
Location: Seneff Arts Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Cost: Free and open to the public
Visitors are encouraged to bring family, friends, or simply come on their own to explore the festival’s global tapestry of art, cuisine, music and community stories.
Full Video interview with Dave Vanz, Maria Fernando Saavedra, Gareth Edwards and Shawn Welcome at our YouTube Channel here.
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