The NICE Festival

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The NICE Festival

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NICE is a non-profit 501 c3 organization that promotes the diversity of people from around the world through the arts and culture.

NICE INC is a Norwalk non-profit organization that seeks to promote and increase awareness of the diversity of peoples from around the world through arts and culture. The NICE Festival Series celebrates the rich global heritage and culture so evident in the music, food, art and talent of which we in Norwalk are so proud. NICE Festival Series was launched with a large multi-cultural festival in the summer of 2016. NICE host dancers, musicians, vendors and local international restaurants; and encourage the community to spend the day together. NICE will endeavor to support global and local charitable organizations in their fight against the problems facing the modern world, which as we know, include poverty, hunger, sparse economic/educational opportunities, and slavery.

09/25/2026

Come thru & enjoy an Oktoberfest seasonal tastings menu offered by Two Roads, Elicit Brews, Twelve Note Brew Co, Athletic Brewing Co and Modelo at the NICE Festival B**r Garden presented by BevMax. With a special presentation by Shangri-la. Then sit back and enjoy the celebrations, Live Music and our International Food Court.

**rGarden

Two Roads Brewing Twelvenote Brew Co Athletic Brewing Co on top BevMax Shangri-La Connecticut

09/21/2026

🔥 THE WAIT IS OVER. 🔥

10 years. 2 stages. The world coming together in Norwalk. 🌎✨

The 10th Annual NICE FEST lineup is officially here. 🎶🌍

From global traditions to live music, dance, DJs, and everything in between — we’re celebrating 10 years of culture, community & connection.

📍 Oyster Shell Park • Norwalk, CT
📅 October 3, 2026
⏰ 12 PM – 8 PM

Save the date. Bring your people. Come experience NICE.

Community 10YearsOfNICE FestivalSeason

09/12/2026

“El Sonido del Pueblo” is back on the Main Stage Oct 3rd at the 10th Annual NICE Festival. Orquesta Afinke features a dynamic percussion, a swinging rhythm section and harmonic brass sounds, including genres such as Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Bolero. They perform the music of notable Latin artist’s such as: Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Grupo Mania, Frankie Ruiz, Oscar D’Leon, Tito Puente and many others.

Music, Art, Food and Family Fun since day ONE. Connecticut’s best Multi Cultural Festival The NICE Festival is open and free to the public so everyone, regardless of economic status, can attend at no cost. So come and enjoy a day of Love and Unity, bring a friend & get ready to dance.

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09/05/2026

NICEFest is back bigger & better than ever now in our 10th year! Save the date for October 3rd! Oyster Shell Park Norwalk CT. An experience of Music, Art, Food and Family Fun since day ONE. Connecticut’s best Multi Cultural Festival. The NICE Fest is free and open to the public so everyone, regardless of economic status, can attend at no cost. So come and enjoy a day of Love and Unity, bring a friend & get ready to dance.

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08/28/2026

The Norwalk International Cultural Exchange is proud to announce legendary Hall of Famer, Grammy Award winning Blues artist, Bobby Rush will be performing at the 10th Annual NICE Festival celebration on Oct 3rd at Oyster Shell Park in Norwalk CT.

Composer, record producer, singer. Named by Rolling Stone magazine as the ”King of the Chitlin Circuit” for his 50+ years of relentless touring and colorful live shows. His style incorporates elements of blues, rap, and funk. His long resume includes working with the likes of Little Walter, Etta James, Muddy Waters, BB King. Known as the “International Dean of Blues” Rush has become one of the most prominent advocates for the American Blues tradition, and says “its the root of all music, it’s the mother of all music. If you don’t like the blues, you probably don’t like your mama.”

The annual NICE Festival is Connecticut’s leading Heritage Arts festival celebrating our Global Heritage with music, dance, food and crafts with two stages of ongoing live performances across multiple genres and folk traditions.

The 10th staging of the NICE Festival takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 12 Noon to 8 PM at Oyster Shell Park, located off North Water Street in Norwalk, Connecticut. Admission to the festival is free. Festival organizers do ask for donations to help keep the festival a free admission event.

For more information, including specific times for all performances, parking, transportation and other information website link in Bio. New festival information is updated regularly. The NICE Festival occurs rain or shine.

08/21/2026

Throwback to 2023 for the celebration of Jazz Great Horace Silver at the 7th Annual NICE Festival by Native Son Mike Camacho & his Quintet. Horace Silver was born in Norwalk CT in 1928 and was of Cape Verdian heritage. He began his musical journey playing the Saxophone at Norwalk High before switching to the Piano. He got his big break playing with the likes of Stan Getz and Lester Young in the Bebop Era. In 1956 he formed The Jazz Messengers with Art Blakey, one of the signature quintet Jazz groups on the legendary Blue Note Label. He composed, played and recorded many Jazz Standards including Songs for my Father, Nicas Dream and the Jody Grind. Horace Silver’s Musical roots reach deep into the history of American Jazz. His artistic evolution spanned many eras and styles influencing Hard Bop, Gospel & Blues, Early Funk, Bugaloo, Shuffle Rhythm, Afro Cuban and Latin Soul. Silver was a master & innovator of the Blues form.

Celebrating 10 years of NICE.
Sat Oct 3rd Noon - 9pm
Oyster Shell Park Norwalk CT

Preserving Culture & Connecting Community since 2016.

08/07/2026

The 7th Annual NICE Festival highlighted our first International Drum Exchange bringing together Cultures and Traditions from Africa, Japan and Cuba. An unforgettable performance by the Akwaaba Ensemble, New York Taiko Aiko Kai and the Marcos Trio together only at the NICE Festival.

Celebrating 10 years of NICE. Preserving Culture & Connecting Community since 2016.

07/24/2026

It was Ten years ago that “Bushman” headlined the main stage at the very first Norwalk NICE Festival. We are excited to announce the Internationally known Award-Winning Jamaican Roots Music Artist is back again to bless the stage for our 10th Anniversary celebration. Rounding out the Main Stage, NICE has gone into the Archives and will be bringing you the Best of the Best of ten years of spectacular cultural heritage enrichment, education and entertainment. Come and dance to the sounds of crowd favorite Orquesta Afinke Salsa group, Blues, Rock, and much more from our American, European, Asian, African and Latin American diaspora. Be prepared to enjoy a full day of live performances across two stages, drumming, folk dancing, and a vast array of International Food and Craft Vendors.

So, mark your calendars and save the date for CTs Premier Cultural Festival Saturday, Oct 3rd at Oyster Shell Park Norwalk CT. Check out our website for more info. Link in bio.

07/16/2026

Vendor spaces are limited, so don’t wait!

👉 Apply today: ⁠https://norwalknice.org/vendor-info/

Let’s celebrate 10 years of Unity Through Community together! ❤️🌎

06/04/2026

Throwback to 2021. The highlight of the 5th NICE Festival was a traditional Maypole Dance presentation. The Maypole Dance is a communal symbol of togetherness and joy where people gather around the base each holding a colorful ribbon weaving in and out of each other until the ribbon reaches the base. Led by Bill Fischer of Bethany CT the Maypole delighted festival goers young and old alike. Celebrating 10 years of NICE. Preserving Culture & Connecting Community since 2016.

Address

OYSTER SHELL PARK, N. Water Street
Norwalk, CT
06854

Website

http://www.norwalknice.org/, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScokDioJ6Vw8vNXOHE-OsSuTQP36HqzcD801I7lUbCRONjwpQ/

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