After 10 years of unforgettable celebrations in the far northeast Denver (Montbello), the Taste of Ethiopia Festival is making a bold move to City Park, Denver’s most iconic green space. On Sunday, September 14, 2025, thousands will gather at the historic Pavilion and Bandshell for the 11th Annual Taste of Ethiopia Festival — a free, family-friendly, dog-friendly event showcasing the food, music, and culture of one of Colorado’s largest immigrant communities.

For the past decade, the festival has been held on the first weekend of August, but this year’s date has been chosen to align with the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash), which falls on September 11^th.  As Ethiopia celebrates the start of the year 2018 in the Ethiopian calendar, Colorado’s Ethiopian community will share its traditions with the entire city, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the celebration.

While the rest of the world is already living in 2025, Ethiopia is still in 2017 — because it follows its own ancient calendar, which runs 7–8 years behind the Western Gregorian calendar and includes 13 months. This unique system has captured global attention and makes celebrating Enkutatash in Denver all the more remarkable.

Taste of Ethiopia has grown to be more than just a festival—it’s a year-round movement powered by the Taste of Ethiopia Heritage Foundation. For over a decade, they’ve used food, culture, and celebration as powerful tools for connection, healing, and empowerment.

From community health fairs and economic access programs to youth mentorship and immigrant leadership initiatives, their work has built bridges across communities and generations, with a strong focus on health equity and culturally rooted care.

At the annual festival, this mission comes alive—welcoming thousands to experience the rich heritage of Ethiopia while connecting with vital civic, health, and entrepreneurial resources.

For over a decade (since 2013), Colorado’s Taste of Ethiopia Festivalhas grown into one of Colorado’s largest cultural festivals, drawing people from across the region. The Ethiopian community — the second-largest immigrant population in metro Denver — has become an integral part of Colorado’s identity, weaving ancient traditions into the state’s vibrant cultural tapestry.

“We are thrilled to begin a new chapter at City Park,” said Nebiyu Asfaw, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Taste of Ethiopia Heritage Foundation. “This move allows us to accommodate the incredible growth of the festival, welcome more of our neighbors, and celebrate both our 11th year and the Ethiopian New Year with the entire Colorado community.”

Over the years, the Taste of Ethiopia Festival has received dozens of media features across Colorado, reflecting its impact as one of the region’s most vibrant cultural celebrations.

These features showcase not only the food and cultural richness of the festival but also its broad public appeal and strong community support. Local and national outlets consistently highlight the event as a must-attend Denver tradition, with TV stations even hosting in-studio segments featuring Ethiopian food and cultural demonstrations.

The Taste of Ethiopia Festival has also been formally recognized for its community impact. In 2024, the Mayor and City of Aurora issued a proclamation honoring the festival’s 10th Anniversary, and the Denver City Council unanimously passed a resolution celebrating the festival’s contribution to the cultural life of the city.

That same year, the Colorado African Chamber of Commerce named the Taste of Ethiopia “Nonprofit of the Year.”