Passport To The World: Cultural Program Series
From the Argentinian Tango Festival to Diwali Festival of Lights to a Chinese New Year Celebration join us in celebrating cultures from around the world in our year-long Passport To The World: Cultural Program Series! Each program will provide engaging, interactive and hands-on opportunities that will help to promote global literacy and foster tolerance and inclusion of different traditions, religions, appearances, languages and art forms.
Passport To The World: Cultural Programs are free with Museum Admission.
Chinese New Year
Date: February 21, 2026
Performance Times: 10:30 a.m. & 12 p.m.
Location: Whitaker Theater
Join us this month as we celebrate China’s Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the Horse, symbolizing strength, endurance, and perseverance. Come celebrate the new year with lion dances and dragon performances that will put you on the edge of your seat!
The St. Louis Modern Chinese School is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children of all ages and cultural backgrounds with avenues for learning Chinese language, arts, and culture through programs that teach calligraphy, hand crafts, song, dance and more.
Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day
Date: March 28, 2026
Performance Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Story Time Theater
Celebrate Ireland with us this month with traditional Irish dance performances showcasing the precise footwork and rhythmic movements that make up the art of Irish dance. Get ready for an exciting performance that’s sure to delight dancers and spectators of all ages!
The Meghan Torno School of Irish Dance brings high-energy Irish dance to life with joyful rhythms, quick footwork, and plenty of smiles. Based in Brentwood, their award-winning dancers range from young beginners to world-level competitors, all sharing a love of movement, music, and fun.
Mexico’s National Children’s Day
Date: April 25, 2026
Location: Story Time Theater
This month we celebrate Mexico’s Dia del Niño, or National Children’s Day. Celebrate the children in your life with traditional dance performances that showcase the rich and vibrant culture and traditions of our southern neighbor. ¡Celebra con nosotros!
Alma de Mexico is a Mexican folklore dance group, representing traditional dances from 11 different states of Mexico. The group has been active in the St. Louis region for nearly two decades, participating in numerous events around the area.
Japan’s Sanja Festival
Date: May 16, 2026
Performance Times: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
As an island country in East Asia, Japan is made up of five main islands. Okinawa, although the smallest of the five islands, is rich in culture and tradition. Join us in celebrating this unique culture with Eisa dance and drum performances that honor the past while celebrating the future.
St. Louis Okinawa Kenjinkai was formed in 1996 to build friendship among the many Okinawans living in the St. Louis and Southern Illinois. The group is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Okinawan cultural heritage, traditional music, dance, cuisine, language, and art to the people of St. Louis.