World Refugee Day Boise 2025
Thursday, June 19th, 5-9pm
at the West Bench Farmers Market
3085 N Cole Rd. - near the Cole & Ustick Library
World Refugee Day is honored June 20th around the globe. Worldwide events celebrate the art and cultures that former refugees bring to our communities and bring attention to the plight of refugees worldwide.
2025 Photos: World Refugee Day Boise
2025 Boise Event Details
SCHEDULE
5:00pm - Market Opens. Vendors, booths, food trucks open through 9:00pm.
5:30pm - Welcoming Remarks by Boise City Councilmember Meredith Stead, Refugee Speakers Bureau member Eliza Shabire, and the Idaho Office for Refugees - in the World Refugee Day booth area
6:00pm - Tap dance performance by Andrew Nemr - near the beverage tent
6:15pm - Danza Azteca Tonatiuh - near the beverage tent
6:30pm - Makatas Dancers - near the beverage tent
6:45pm - Starbelly Dancers - near the beverage tent
7:00pm - Tap dance performance by Andrew Nemr - near the beverage tent
7:15pm - Starbelly Dancers - near the beverage tent
7:30pm - Afghan Children’s Choir - in the World Refugee Day booth area
Open until 9:00pm - Vendors, tabling organizations, food trucks, beverages, DJ
5:30pm - Welcoming Remarks by Boise City Councilmember Meredith Stead, Refugee Speakers Bureau member Eliza Shabire, and the Idaho Office for Refugees - in the World Refugee Day booth area
6:00pm - Tap dance performance by Andrew Nemr - near the beverage tent
6:15pm - Danza Azteca Tonatiuh - near the beverage tent
6:30pm - Makatas Dancers - near the beverage tent
6:45pm - Starbelly Dancers - near the beverage tent
7:00pm - Tap dance performance by Andrew Nemr - near the beverage tent
7:15pm - Starbelly Dancers - near the beverage tent
7:30pm - Afghan Children’s Choir - in the World Refugee Day booth area
Open until 9:00pm - Vendors, tabling organizations, food trucks, beverages, DJ
PERFORMERS
Andrew Nemr is a Boise-based international tap dance artist and first-generation American. Find him today at the Refugee Speakers Bureau’s booth and ask about his upcoming show, Dark Night, during which he will dance for 12-hours straight to explore the themes of endurance and hope. It's free and right here in Boise at 7 p.m. Aug. 8.
Danza Azteca Tonatiuh has proudly shared the tradition of Aztec dance in the Treasure Valley for over 12 years. Our mission is to preserve and pass on the rich cultural heritage of our ancestors through Aztec dance.
The Makatas Dancers is a mentorship program that teaches girls traditional African dances, and is part of the Makatas Heart Foundation, which works to advance education in Liberia. “My mom told me, ‘If you are able to, once you’re stable, don’t forget the others, and that’s what we’ve been doing.” ~ Joetta Julugbeh, Makatas Founder
The Starbelly Dancers are a nationally recognized belly dance artists from Boise, under the artistic direction of Cecilia Rinn. They specialize in traditional, modern, fusion, and theatrical raks sharki, or belly dance and perform at family-friendly celebrations, festivals, and main-stage events across the nation.
The Afghan Children’s Choir is a local group of children who practice and perform through the Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho.
Danza Azteca Tonatiuh has proudly shared the tradition of Aztec dance in the Treasure Valley for over 12 years. Our mission is to preserve and pass on the rich cultural heritage of our ancestors through Aztec dance.
The Makatas Dancers is a mentorship program that teaches girls traditional African dances, and is part of the Makatas Heart Foundation, which works to advance education in Liberia. “My mom told me, ‘If you are able to, once you’re stable, don’t forget the others, and that’s what we’ve been doing.” ~ Joetta Julugbeh, Makatas Founder
The Starbelly Dancers are a nationally recognized belly dance artists from Boise, under the artistic direction of Cecilia Rinn. They specialize in traditional, modern, fusion, and theatrical raks sharki, or belly dance and perform at family-friendly celebrations, festivals, and main-stage events across the nation.
The Afghan Children’s Choir is a local group of children who practice and perform through the Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho.
World Refugee Day Booths
Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho: Come experience the art of henna!
Agency for New Americans: Meet resettlement agency team members who help welcome refugees to Boise and set them up for success.
American Red Cross: Learn about the Red Cross International Services program and craft your own paper doll chain.
Boise Bicycle Project: Meet BBP, a nonprofit that promotes the many benefits of bicycling and equips community members with refurbished bicycles, repairs, and education.
Glocal Community Partners: Enjoy fun language & cultural activities with Glocal, which offers connection and training to new refugee neighbors and the wider community.
Idaho Museum of International Diaspora: Learn how to make Lao spring rolls!
International Rescue Committee in Boise: Meet resettlement agency team members who help welcome refugees to Boise and set them up for success.
Mwangi'z Inc: Shop Kenyan handmade stuffed animals and beaded jewelry - examples of the colorful diversity and talented artists of Kenya.
Makatas Heart Foundation: Shop African jewelry to support the Makatas Heart Foundation, founded by a mother and daughter from Liberia, and support their mission to improve education in Liberia.
One Refugee: Meet the team who champions students of refugee backgrounds by helping them obtain post-secondary education and skills to prepare for a professional life.
Refugee Speakers Bureau: Stop by for conversations with neighbors from refugee and immigrant backgrounds! Pick a question card as a prompt or write your own.
TANTA, Inc.: Led by women and girls from resettled and immigrant communities, we are dedicated to supporting women and girls who define and champion their own solutions to empowerment.
Vasvija Omerovic came to America in 1996 as a war refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina with her husband and two kids. She started to crochet at age 7. Since coming to America, she started using crochet to cope with the stress and the process. Her dream is to open her own store to also teach other to crochet.
Agency for New Americans: Meet resettlement agency team members who help welcome refugees to Boise and set them up for success.
American Red Cross: Learn about the Red Cross International Services program and craft your own paper doll chain.
Boise Bicycle Project: Meet BBP, a nonprofit that promotes the many benefits of bicycling and equips community members with refurbished bicycles, repairs, and education.
Glocal Community Partners: Enjoy fun language & cultural activities with Glocal, which offers connection and training to new refugee neighbors and the wider community.
Idaho Museum of International Diaspora: Learn how to make Lao spring rolls!
International Rescue Committee in Boise: Meet resettlement agency team members who help welcome refugees to Boise and set them up for success.
Mwangi'z Inc: Shop Kenyan handmade stuffed animals and beaded jewelry - examples of the colorful diversity and talented artists of Kenya.
Makatas Heart Foundation: Shop African jewelry to support the Makatas Heart Foundation, founded by a mother and daughter from Liberia, and support their mission to improve education in Liberia.
One Refugee: Meet the team who champions students of refugee backgrounds by helping them obtain post-secondary education and skills to prepare for a professional life.
Refugee Speakers Bureau: Stop by for conversations with neighbors from refugee and immigrant backgrounds! Pick a question card as a prompt or write your own.
TANTA, Inc.: Led by women and girls from resettled and immigrant communities, we are dedicated to supporting women and girls who define and champion their own solutions to empowerment.
Vasvija Omerovic came to America in 1996 as a war refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina with her husband and two kids. She started to crochet at age 7. Since coming to America, she started using crochet to cope with the stress and the process. Her dream is to open her own store to also teach other to crochet.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors & Partners
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Boise's World Refugee Day 2024
Photos by Mark Hewes/Tandem Lens
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors!
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Coffee donated by Black Rock Coffee Bar!
World Refugee Day 2023
2023 photos by Cat Wheaton Photography (theloveclub_boise)
Idaho Office for refugees |
