International Day at school is a whole-community celebration of the countries and cultures that make up a school’s families, usually with a flag parade, student performances, food and culture stalls, and games for children. At an international school it is often one of the busiest days of the year for parents, because families are invited not just to watch but to take part. For a family new to China, it is also one of the easiest ways to meet other parents and see what the school community is really like.
This guide from Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) explains what usually happens at an international day at school, how parents can get involved, and what our own International Day Festival looked like in May 2026.
What Is International Day at School?
An international day is a school event that celebrates the nationalities and cultures represented in the student body. Schools organise it in different ways, but the purpose is the same: children see their own home culture valued in front of their friends, and they learn about their classmates’ cultures through food, music, dress and games rather than a textbook.
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See QISS admissions →At an international school the mix can be wide. A single class may include children from several countries, children of mixed heritage, and children who have lived in more than one country before they turn ten. International Day gives each of those backgrounds a visible place in the school year, and it often becomes the event children remember most.
What Usually Happens on the Day
Most international days follow a similar pattern, built around three parts that run through the day.
The Flag Parade
Many schools open with students carrying the flags of the countries in their community. It is a simple ceremony, but for a child who has just moved to China, seeing their own flag carried alongside everyone else’s can mean a great deal.
Student Performances
Classes and clubs perform songs, dances and demonstrations linked to different cultures. Younger children often perform as a class, while older students may play in ensembles or bands. Rehearsals usually take place in the weeks before, so children practise together and look forward to the day.
Food, Culture and Game Stalls
Families and community groups run stalls with food, crafts, traditional games and displays from their home countries. This is usually the most popular part of the day, and the part where parents play the biggest role.
How Parents Can Take Part
Parents are the heart of most international days, and helping out does not require a big commitment. Common ways to get involved include:
- Sharing food from home. A simple homemade dish or snack is often the most welcome contribution. Check the school’s guidance on food labelling and allergies first.
- Helping at a country or community stall. Many stalls are run jointly by several families from the same country or region, so newcomers can join an established group.
- Lending clothing, flags or objects for a display or a class performance.
- Volunteering behind the scenes with setting up, serving or tidying away.
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Talk to admissions →You do not need to be from a particular country to help at its stall, and families of mixed heritage can choose to join more than one group. If you are unsure where to start, the class teacher or parent group is usually the best first contact.
International Day at QISS: Our 2026 Festival
QISS held its International Day Festival in May 2026 on the campus courtyard, with rows of tents and strings of national flags hung across the space. Many students and adults wore matching tie-dye shirts for the day.
The program included a parade of national flags carried by students on the outdoor stage, followed by performances through the day. Classes performed group dances in costume with red garlands and face paint, students played round hand drums and danced with fans, two children gave a taekwondo demonstration, and a lion dance moved through the crowd. A student instrumental ensemble performed with a conductor, and a small band with hand pan, djembe and drum kit played for the audience.
Around the courtyard, family and community stalls served food and ran activities, including a QISS Korea stall, a ring-toss game, a dunk tank and a mountain bike stunt show. Families filled the benches and the turf to watch.
At QISS, events like this sit naturally alongside the rest of school life. Our Chinese Language and Culture program and the wider co-curricular program give students many chances to share their cultures, and our guide to Chinese culture in international schools explains how host-country culture fits into the curriculum.
Tips for New Families
If International Day falls soon after your family arrives, a few simple steps make it easier to enjoy:
- Ask your child’s teacher what the class is preparing. Knowing the song or dance helps you support practice at home.
- Bring a way to pay. Some stalls and games may charge a small amount, so it helps to bring cash or a phone payment app.
- Plan for the weather. Outdoor events in Qingdao in spring can be bright and warm, so hats, water and sun protection help younger children last the day.
- Introduce yourself at your home country’s stall, or at any stall that interests you. It is one of the easiest ways to make friends quickly.
Our article on helping children cope with change and big transitions has more ideas for settling in during the first year, and our new family orientation guide explains what to expect in the first weeks.
Why International Day Matters for Children
An international day is fun, but it also does real work. Children see that every culture in their class is worth celebrating, including their own. They practise curiosity and respect in a setting where it is easy to ask questions. And they build friendships across languages and nationalities, which is one of the lasting gifts of an international education.
If you would like to see the QISS community for yourself, you are welcome to visit our campus or learn more through our admissions page.
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Start your application →Frequently Asked Questions
What is international day at school?
It is a whole-school celebration of the cultures in the school community, usually with a flag parade, student performances, and food, culture and game stalls run with the help of families.
How can parents help on international day?
Parents can share a dish from home, help at a country or community stall, lend flags or clothing for a display, or volunteer with setting up and tidying away. The class teacher or parent group can point you to where help is needed.
What should my child wear on international day?
Follow the school’s guidance for the year. At the QISS festival in May 2026 many students and adults wore matching tie-dye shirts, and performers wore costumes for their class performances.
Do I need to be from a country to help at its stall?
No. Families often help at the stall of a country they have lived in or simply enjoy, and families of mixed heritage can join more than one group.
When is international day at QISS?
Our 2026 International Day Festival took place in May on the campus courtyard. Families receive the date for each school year through the school’s usual communications.
