The Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival, one of the largest Ukrainian festivals in America, was conceived by individuals who desire to celebrate and share their love for Ukraine, its culture, its music, its food and its traditions with the greater public at large. Since 1986, every Father’s Day weekend, the three-day festival is held on the church grounds of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers, NY Facebook link. The sponsoring organization of the festival is the Yonkers branch of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (U.A.Y.A.) Facebook link.

The festival presents the leading artists of the day, either local or as far away as Ukraine, who entertain the large crowds with performances of Ukrainian folk dance along with contemporary music and song. Ukrainian cuisine is also featured as volunteers prepare various traditional dishes, including more than 30,000 hand-made varenyky (Ukrainian potato dumplings) all weekend long. A large selection of traditional and modern Ukrainian art, jewelry, and various styles of clothing is available at the many vendors exhibiting at the festival. An assortment of Ukraine’s famous beer is also on sale to wet the palate of all our guests. Rides and arcades for children and adults round out the offering for the festival goers.

Besides allowing Ukrainians in the Yonkers diaspora to come together, prepare and to enjoy themselves with their friends and family, the festival provides the opportunity to teach everyone about Ukraine’s rich history as well as discuss its current plight in defending itself against Russia’s brutal invasion. Eager to help Ukraine in its time of greatest need, last year’s festival combined all their profits, with the $60,000 donated during the festival by the SUMA Federal Credit Union, to donate over $135,000 to various humanitarian groups working in Ukraine. Until the war is won, everyone at the festival and the Yonkers Ukrainian community will continue to aid and advocate in any and every way possible. We thank all our friends, neighbors and legislators for all their continued support.

We look forward to hosting you, your friends and family at this year’s Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival. We promise that our Ukrainian hospitality will have you well entertained, well informed and pleasantly satiated.

Slava Ukraini! Glory to Ukraine!