2012 Houston International Festival

The Houston International Festival is a two-weekend celebration of the art, music, dance and cuisine of a host of countries and cultures found throughout the world. For four days, the streets of Downtown Houston including City Hall, Sam Houston Park and Tranquility Park will become a cultural epicenter of entertainment. Each year, iFest features a host country and in this 42nd year that country is Argentina. Read below to explore the ins and outs of the Houston International Festival.

When:
Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22
Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where:
Downtown Houston - Tranquility Park, City Hall and Sam Houston Park
From I-45S: Exit Downtown
From I-45N: Exit Dallas/Pierce
From I-10E: Exit San Jacinto/Main
From I-10W: Exit Downtown Smith
From 59S: Exit Louisiana

Parking:
-$5 parking can be found in the Brookfield Parking Garage at (340) W. Dallas and Clay -Free on-street parking is available on Saturdays after 6 p.m. and all day Sunday

Entrance Fees:
Adults $18
Youth $5
Children under age 3: FREE

Food and Beverage Fees:
These items can be purchased with COUPONS ONLY
Credit cards may be used to purchase coupons
$10/9 coupons
$1.50/individual coupons

Prohibited Items:
-PETS
-alcohol
-coolers
-food and beverages other than water
-in-line skates
-recording and professional camera equipment
-laser pointers

What to Expect:
The area surrounding Sam Houston Park will be transformed into a typical street found in Buenos Aires. The visual highlight of this area will be the 20=foot tall replica of the Obelisco de Buenos Aires. Festival visitors will have a chance to create art of their own on a giant mural reminiscent of the graffiti murals found throughout Buenos Aires.

The actors of the Gente De Teatro organization will bring the excitement of Latin American theater to iFest giving festival-goers a firsthand look at warm-up routines, play reading and improvisational techniques.
Dine on traditional Argentine fares within the walls or on the courtyard of the Casa Rosada replication. For a post-meal treat, enjoy tango performances or even try your hand at the dance form with a free lesson.

The Houston Dynamo Street Soccer Exhibit will have little ones (and bigger ones) rip-running through the simulated Argentine street soccer field.

Host a Houston Dynamo Birthday Party

The Green Mountain Energy's Kid World will allow the kiddos to explore Chinese and Spanish languages, musical instrument construction, jewelry making, African culture and much more.

Volunteer Benefits:
Volunteers must be 15 years of age.

Benefits include free parking, free admission (on volunteer day), free snacks and drinks, a festival T-Shirt and prizes.