World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day Boise 2026
Saturday, June 20th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
JUMP Boise, 1000 W. Myrtle St.

Free and open to the community! Bring your friends and family to enjoy food, shopping, music, and dance.

World Refugee Day is honored June 20th around the world. Events celebrate the cultures and contributions of community members from refugee backgrounds and bring attention to the ongoing need for resettlement worldwide.

Find World Refugee Day events in Boise, Twin Falls, and Pocatello.

Boise Event Details

Event schedule

10:00 - 10:15 AM Welcome & World Refugee Day Proclamation (Idaho Office for Refugees & City of Boise)
10:20 - 10:40 AM Revelation Choir from Calvary Chapel International
10:40 - 11:00 AM Light of All Nations Church Choir
11:05 - 11:30 AM Club Akaranga
11:35 - 12:00 PM Starbelly Dancers
12:05 - 12:30 PM Danza Azeca Tonatiuh
12:35 - 1:00 PM Makatas Dance Team
1:00 -2:00 PM Afronsics

Performers

Headliner: Afrosonics (1:00 PM)
Out of the desire to bring communities together, Afrosonics creates music featuring a collective of musicians from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South America and the United States. At the heart of the group’s progression, the band has conscientiously integrated new American musicians (former refugees from war torn areas of the world) into the collective that is Afrosonics. The genre twist deepens with the infusion of Idaho musicians into the collective with roots in country, rock, jazz and opera. In a world of negative messages, we represent a positive hope to bring a harmonious voice to all.

Makatas Dance Team (12:35 PM)
The Makatas Dance Team is a dance group celebrating cultural diversity and providing mentorship for girls ages 8-18 in Boise.

Danza Azteca Tonatiuh (12:05 PM)
Danza Azteca Tonatiuh shares our culture of Aztec dancing. We perform at all kind of events in Treasure Valley and beyond.

Starbelly Dancers (11:35 AM)
Starbelly School of Dance provides professional belly dance training in: Classical and Modern Belly Dance-Raqs Sharqi, Turkish, Egyptian, Tribal, Vintage American Cabaret, Folkloric, & Fusion Belly Dance.

Club Akaranga of Idaho (11:05 AM)
Club Akaranga of Idaho is a Burundian traditional dance group that celebrates culture, connects communities, and keeps our heritage alive through movement and music. Our mission is to share the beauty and history of Burundian traditions, educate diverse audiences, and create space where culture, pride and unity on flourish.

Revelation Choir from Calvary Chapel International and the Light of All Nations Church Choir (10:25 AM)

VENDORS: Food & artisan goods

Prepared Foods

Amina's African Sambusas: Established in July 2021, Amina's African Sambusas is derived from traditional recipes originating in Kenya, Africa.

Indo Malay offers authentic Indonesian and Malay cuisine. "I’m from Indonesia, and my kids are from Malaysia," owner Sufiah Ukir said. "I have a deep love for cooking traditional food from both countries, and nothing makes me happier than sharing those homemade dishes with family, friends, and anyone who enjoys a good meal."

Darjeeling Momo offers a delightful array of authentic Nepalese dishes, crafted with largely organic ingredients.

Liberian Flavors Kitchen owner Hawa Kamara shares: "I am proudly from Liberia, a beautiful West African country rich in culture, tradition, and flavor. Through my food, I share a piece of my home with the community. My business specializes in authentic Liberian dishes made with love and traditional recipes passed down through generations. What I would love people to know is that Liberian food is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. From our rich stews to our flavorful rice dishes and delicious sides, every bite tells a story of family, celebration, and heritage."

Arts, Crafts & Goods

MS Art: Resin art including ashtrays, keychains, plates, and trays.

Thara Fashion is a collaboration between mother and daughter. The team designs and creates modern clothing, handbags and accessories with a traditional African twist.

Creative Vault Gift is a woman-owned U.S.-based brand dedicated to crafting meaningful, high-quality products that celebrate creativity, culture, and family. From custom apparel and heartfelt gifts to inspiring digital resources, we transform everyday moments into lasting treasures. Owner Samira from Afghanistan and came to the U.S. 27 years ago. She is a graduate of Borah High School and a mother of four.

Makatas Jewelries offers hypoallergenic, colorful, light weight, handmade African jewelries. All proceeds go to building a community library and free community school and providing school supplies for students in Zwedru, Liberia. Founder Joetta Julugbeh also established the Makatas Dance Team and Makatas Heart Foundation. Born and raised in Liberia, West Africa, Joetta moved to Boise as a refugee with her family over 20 years ago. "I was fortunate to be blessed with such opportunity with a better life," Joetta said, "the least I can do in my opinion is to pay it forward."

Artisan Handmade Jewelry is a family-owned small business specializing in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with unique Mediterranean designs. Our products are a collection of natural and man-made beads, combined with metal and copper beads. The pieces are inspired by the simple elements, seasons, and colors found in nature. Co-founder Driss Gouaich is originally from Algeria. Materials are sourced from many countries such as Turkey, Czech, Italy, Japan and India.

Artisans For Hope features unique handmade items such as clothing, accessories, crafts, bags made by refugee artisans in the Treasure Valley. A nonprofit founded in 2009, Artisans For Hope teaches artisans to sew and knit for free in beginner courses and provides them an opportunity to become advanced sewists who sell their wares for commission.

Mezgina Art: Owner Mezgina and her family resettled in Boise from Syria. She started making flowers in the beginning of the year, and now she has started her own flower-making business. She is excited to share her flowers and art with Boise!

Nabila Dastageerzada sells Afghan and Indian culture clothes and jewelry.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Refugee Speakers Bureau: Come visit the Refugee Speakers Bureau Conversations Booth at World Refugee Day! We have question cards to prompt insightful conversations with fellow Idahoans from refugee and immigrant backgrounds. The RSB was founded by the Idaho Office for Refugees in 2015 to provide public speaking training and opportunities to community members from refugee and immigrant backgrounds and bridge cultural understandings in the wider community.

West Bench Farmers Market: We are a new farmers market located at Spaulding Ranch. Open every Thursday evening June through Sept. 24 from 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Boise Fire Department: We are launching a new program this summer- Boise Fire Community and Life Safety Advocates. Stop by our table to learn about fire and life safety topics in different languages.

Agency for New Americans: We are a local resettlement agency from Boise, Idaho. We have been supporting new Americans since 1996.

The Idaho Youth Ranch is a youth focused nonprofit with an emphasis on youth mental health. Most people know us from our many thrift stores throughout the state. However, our primary focus is providing services such as counseling, equine therapy, a youth shelter in Boise, as well as the state's only Medicaid certified Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG): We provide resources and opportunities, such as workshops, courses, and events, to help our members become more informed and prepared for civic engagement and peacebuilding. We also encourage and mentor women to act collectively and individually to promote ethical government and proactively build peace in our communities as well as supporting our members with community spaces and events for women to gather, discuss, learn, and engage together.

Boise Bicycle Project: We are a community-focused nonprofit that promotes the personal, social, and environmental benefits of bicycling. Through inclusive access to refurbished bicycles, repair, educational experiences, and advocacy, we strive to build a stronger bicycling community. We believe that Boise has the potential to be the bicycling capital of America, a place where everyone can experience the freedom and countless opportunities a bicycle can create.

TANTA, Inc. promotes the wellbeing, safety and self-sufficiency of women and girls in resettled and immigrant communities through a culturally responsive approach. Offers wellness gatherings, youth study groups, summer camps, community meals, and support for families. Well Women. Thriving families. Resilient communities.

Glocal Community Partners is a nonprofit whose mission is to mobilize, train and connect volunteers with our New American neighbors in friendship. We have found that these friendships are not only important to the process of healing and integration, but they enrich the lives of those who have the privilege of getting involved.

The Afghan Welcome Center empowers Afghan families by providing culturally responsive support, resources, and community connections that foster stability, dignity, and long-term success. Contact [email protected] to connect or learn more.

The Family Assistance Project is raising funds to bridge the gap between surviving and belonging for our refugee neighbors in the treasure valley. We are a coalition of organizations that are stepping in to raise emergency funds for rent, utilities and food. Connect on Instagram and learn more here.

Friends of Children and Families, Inc. (FOCAF) provides quality, comprehensive, family centered, early childhood Head Start and Early Head Start services in Ada and Elmore Counties in Idaho. This is made possible by a yearly grant provided by the Federal Government, USDA meal reimbursement, and other supplemental grants and funds like the Jan Williams Foundation.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Boise provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture and immigrants seeking citizenship to thrive in Idaho. Since welcoming the first clients in 2006, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, have arrived in Boise and into the safety and freedom of America. These individuals have survived against incredible odds. The IRC works with government bodies, civil society actors and local volunteers to help them translate their past experiences into assets that are valuable to their new communities. In Boise and other offices across the country, the IRC helps them to rebuild their lives.

Humanity Talks is a nonprofit that connects global and local communities through two programs, the Pace for Peace 5K and Walk the Talk.

Central District Health is the public health district in Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties and offers affordable clinic services and free family programs.

Get Involved

MEAL VOUCHERS
Available at the event to members of the resettled community while supplies last!

BUS PASSES & TRAINING
Available to help with transportation. Please contact Elizabeth Norton to learn more.

SPONSOR OR VOLUNTEER
Your investment makes this event possible! Sign up to sponsor or volunteer.

Why It Matters

For the first time in more than a decade, the number of displaced people has fallen. But that's only half the story. Many refugees who have returned to their home countries in the past year have faced a mixed picture, and some were forced back to unsafe places, according to an NPR report and the newly released UNCHR Global Trends report. World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate our neighbors - and it also reminds us of the work still to be done.

Thank You 2026 Sponsors!

Thank you to Agency for New Americans for flyer translations, Global Lounge for tables and chairs, and JUMP for being amazing hosts. Grant support provided by the Northwest Area Foundation and St. Luke's.