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.
Mexico’s National Children’s Day
Date: April 25, 2026
Performance Times: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
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 9, 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.
Korean Taekwondo
Date: June 20, 2026
Location: Story Time Theater
Join us as we celebrate Korea this month through the dynamic martial art of Taekwondo where discipline, physical fitness and mental strength come together in a blend of self-defense and modern sport. During this program, guests will get to see Taekwondo in action and learn some moves for themselves.
Y.S. Rho Martial Arts strives for happiness and success in life through the building of a healthy body and a strong mind. In today’s high-tech, high stress society, it is important for one to stand against modern hardships by maintaining fitness, both physically and mentally.
Kenyan Storytelling
Date: July 18, 2026
Location: Story Time Theater
This month we celebrate the vibrant culture of Kenya, one of Africa’s 54 diverse countries. Join us in the celebration of this East African country through the captivating art of storytelling that will transport you to the heart of Kenya. Experience the magic of this timeless oral tradition that will immerse young viewers into new worlds and offer hands on experiences to become part of the story.
Catherine Ndegwa is a children’s book writer and storyteller. Born and raised in Kenya, East Africa, Catherine teaches children about the rich culture, art and history of her native country through storytelling that transports families to Africa.