Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO), Swampscott Unites, Respects and Embraces (S.U.R.E.) Diversity, SOCA and the Boston Bridges Initiative is hosting the annual Heritage Festival on Saturday, May 16.

The event will be held at Town Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. It was moved from the original date due to rain. The festival celebrates family and identity. In addition to tables featuring authentic flavors from around the world, there will be bounce houses, photo booths and face painting.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our diverse community, and we want to make sure everyone has the chance to sign up,” said Temi Bailey, co-director of the METCO program.

The Heritage Festival was first created in 2019. That year, just a few tables were set up in the high school lobby after school, as students and staff shared aspects of their own heritage through food, information and cultural items. In the 2025 iteration, the festival grew significantly and was held outside at Town Hall for a Swampscott-wide celebration.

At last year’s event, the Town Hall lawn was filled with flags as well as tables manned by students and community members, representing each nation. Countries represented ranged from Brazil to Italy and from Crimea to Puerto Rico.

A group represented the Dominican Republic and served plantains with salami, chicken, rice and beans. The Brazilian table had sodas and sweet treats. Italy’s table offered caprese skewers. The Jewish Student Union hosted a table with falafel and hummus in pitas.

Updated May 14 at 8 a.m. with the rain date