FREE
The HOME Refugee Steering Committee at the Lynden Sculpture Garden invites you to join us for a series of free, family-friendly events that celebrate Milwaukee's refugee communities through art, food, poetry, and performance. Our theme for World Refugee Day 2026, selected by Lynden’s HOME Refugee Steering Committee, is We Belong/You Belong: Joy and Unity Against the Odds.
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. This June 20, join the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families – Bureau of Refugee Programs and Lynden’s HOME Refugee Steering Committee to celebrate World Refugee Day, and our refugee communities, at the Lynden Sculpture Garden.
Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy the outdoors with friends, family, and community. Or bring along cash to “taste the world”: you’ll be able to grab a snack, sample dishes, or purchase a full meal from chefs from local refugee communities. Halal and vegan options provided. A full menu will be displayed.
World Refugee Day at Lynden, co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families – Bureau of Refugee Programs, is organized as both a resource fair and a celebration of many cultures. In addition to making art, tasting food, and listening to stories, poems, and music and dance, visitors will be able to gather information on local services for refugees. Under our resource tent, you’ll find new and existing partners including refugee-serving agencies and community-based organizations.
Apply for a Resource Tent Booth
The Resource Tent houses booths staffed by refugee-serving agencies and community-based organizations, alongside vendors from the HOME community. Refugee-serving agencies, community-based organizations, and sponsors may apply for a free booth beneath the Resource Tent.
To reserve a booth, click here
SUPPORT HOME WORLD REFUGEE DAY
To sponsor 2026 HOME World Refugee Day events, please click here.
To make an individual donation to support our HOME refugee programs, click here.
To volunteer, click here.
About HOME
HOME is the theme of our work with refugee community leaders, community members, Call & Response artists, and allies. The HOME Refugee Steering Committee is building a space of leading, coming together, and celebrating refugees. For all HOME 2026 programming, click here.
World Refugee Day 2026 celebrations continue with a celebration at Milwaukee City Hall and two additional HOME “days” at Lynden featuring music, dance, food, poetry, and craft. For all HOME 2026 programming, click here.
HOME 2026 is sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Refugee Programs.
