The Habesha Festival is a youth and young adult led grassroots community initiative dedicated to celebrating Ethiopian and Eritrean culture while creating meaningful opportunities for connection, collaboration, and community growth.

Founded by young members of Edmonton’s Habesha community, Habesha Festival was created to celebrate Ethiopian and Eritrean culture while building a stronger, more connected community. Through cultural performances, traditional and modern music, local food, art, small business vendors, and non-profit organizations, we hope to showcase the richness of our heritage while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, empowering youth leaders, connecting individuals and families with valuable resources, and fostering a greater sense of belonging for both newcomers and all Edmontonians.

Through our nonprofit, we also hope to serve as a voice for the Habesha community by building stronger relationships with community members, organizations, and all levels of government. By engaging directly with our community, we aim to better understand the challenges, strengths, and opportunities that exist, helping to inform programs, services, and policies that reflect the real needs of Ethiopian and Eritrean families. Our goal is to ensure our community is represented, heard, and supported as it continues to grow and thrive.

At its heart, Habesha Festival is about community. It is a place where generations come together to celebrate their roots, where local businesses and artists are given opportunities to grow, where young people are inspired to lead, and where people from every background are invited to learn, connect, and celebrate alongside us.
We believe culture has the power to bring people together, break down barriers, and build stronger communities. Habesha Festival exists to celebrate who we are, honour where we come from, and invest in the future we are building together.