FOR THE CULTURE
Celebrating Ethiopian heritage through traditional and contemporary dance while bringing generations together through culture.
Colorado Ethiopian Community
Building a Stronger Ethiopian Community in Colorado
Connecting generations, preserving culture, supporting families, and creating opportunities for Colorado's Ethiopian community.
Who we are
Community. Culture. Connection.
Colorado Ethiopian Community is a nonprofit serving Ethiopian individuals and families across Colorado through cultural programs, youth development, community resources, education, wellness initiatives, and community events — including our signature annual celebration, Ethiopian Day.
Culture
Experience Ethiopian Culture
Celebrating our heritage through dance, music, community, and tradition.
Ethiopian Cultural Dance
Experience the energy, traditions, and diversity of Ethiopian dance performed by talented members of our community.
A signature event of Colorado Ethiopian Community
Ethiopian Day 2026
Ethiopian New Year Celebration · Enkutatash 2019 · Colorado
Melkam Addis Amet! Join Colorado's Ethiopian community for a full day of music, coffee, cuisine and culture — free and open to everyone.
- Date
- Sunday, September 6, 2026
- Time
- 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location
- Centennial Center Park, Centennial CO
About the celebration
A new year, celebrated the Ethiopian way
Enkutatash marks the end of the rainy season and the start of a new year — a season of golden Adey Abeba flowers, fresh beginnings and gathering with the people you love. The weekend before the new year itself, the Colorado Ethiopian Community brings that tradition to Centennial Center Park for a day built around Ethiopian food, coffee, music and craft.
Everyone is welcome — Ethiopian, Eritrean, Colorado neighbors and anyone curious about the culture. Admission is free, the park is open, and the coffee is always on.
- Expected guests
- 5,000+Expected guests
- Vendor booths
- 40+Vendor booths
- Ethiopians in the Denver area
- 50,000+Ethiopians in the Denver area
Presented by
Colorado Ethiopian Community
A non-profit organization established to preserve, share and promote 3,000 years of Ethiopian cultural heritage. We support the integration of new Ethiopian Americans and engage in community and youth empowerment programs that foster a strong, vibrant integrated community.
Denver is now home to a thriving Ethiopian community of over 50,000+ people — and growing. Ethiopian Day is our annual celebration of that heritage, open to all who want to share in the joy of Enkutatash.
Celebrate our heritage. Build our community. Inspire our future.
Learn more about CECOfficial partners
Partners Powering Ethiopian Day
Local businesses and organizations that make the celebration possible.
Official Printing Partner
Trusted local print production
Arif Printing
Bringing Ethiopian Day to life — one print at a time.
Arif Printing is the official printing partner of Ethiopian Day 2026, helping bring the celebration to life through banners, signage, flyers, apparel, vendor graphics and event print materials. As a trusted local print partner, Arif supports businesses, events and organizations with quality printing and professional service.
- Banners
- Signs
- Flyers
- T-Shirts
- Vendor Graphics
- Print Services
MC & main stage headliner
Tariku 80
MC · Singer · Comedian · Stage Host
Tariku 80 (Tariku Shele) is one of Ethiopia's most beloved entertainers — a singer, comedian and stage host who keeps crowds laughing, singing and dancing all night. He will MC the festival and headline the main stage with his signature blend of comedy, music and Ethiopian dance, closing with his hit Enkutataye to ring in Enkutatash 2019 in Colorado.
MC · 8:00 PM main stage
Featured performers
Main Stage Performers
Dancers, vocalists and youth collectives take the main stage from the 1:00 PM opening sounds through the 8:00 PM headline set.
8:00 PM Main Stage
Dereje Geteye
Best Ethiopian Dancer
Dereje Geteye is celebrated as one of Ethiopia's finest dancers, known for explosive energy, precision and the ability to move seamlessly between traditional Ethiopian styles and contemporary African dance.
8:00 PM Main Stage
Tigest Dereje
Best Ethiopian Traditional Dancer
Tigest Dereje is renowned for her mastery of Ethiopia's traditional dance forms, from the shoulder rhythms of Eskista to the graceful movements of the Oromo, Tigray and Gurage regions.
8:00 PM Main Stage
Selamwite Shewarega
Best Ethiopian Dancer
Selamwite Shewarega brings elegance and power to every Ethiopian dance tradition she performs, captivating audiences with authentic regional styles and a stage presence that celebrates the depth of Ethiopian culture.
1:00 PM Main Stage
Keduse Abuhay / DJ KD
Featured DJ
DJ KD (Keduse Abuhay) brings fresh energy and cultural pride to the stage, representing the next generation of Ethiopian performance artistry with grace, style and presence.
Visit djkeduse.app
4:30 PM & 7:30 PM Main Stage
For the Culture
Youth Cultural Group
For the Culture is a vibrant youth collective celebrating Ethiopian heritage through dance, fashion and song — bringing energy, unity and a fresh voice to the main stage.
See dance video on TikTok @keduseabuhay
7:00 PM Main Stage
TM3 Martial Arts Academy
Taekwondo Demo · Led by Mulat Biru
TM3 Martial Arts Academy, led by Mulat Biru, brings a live Taekwondo demonstration plus an all-ages aerobics and group workout on the main stage. Stop by their booth for event-only membership discounts, free water and free stickers for the kids.
6:00 PM Movie Night
Askkanwii Filmmaking Hub Incubator
Movie Night Partner · Outdoor Screening
Askkanwii Filmmaking Hub Incubator presents Movie Night at Ethiopian Day — an open-air screening of The Adwa's DNA and From the Farm to Your Cup, with the filmmakers on hand to meet creatives and students.
Family fun
A festival built for kids too
Centennial Center Park has fantastic playgrounds, including water play areas that are perfect for a warm September afternoon. We are designing the Kids Zone right beside these amenities so families can celebrate together.
- Splash pads and water play features for cooling off
- Modern playground equipment and open grass nearby
- Face painting, crafts, games and Ethiopian storytelling
- Shaded family seating and stroller-friendly pathways
On the grounds
What's Happening
Six ways to experience Ethiopian culture across the park, all day long.
Live Music & DJ
Ethio-jazz, tizita, modern Amharic hits and a headline evening set.
Coffee Ceremony
Traditional jebena buna roasted and poured throughout the day.
Fashion Showcase
Habesha kemis, handwoven tibeb and contemporary Ethiopian design.
Kids Zone
Splash pads, playgrounds, games, face painting, crafts and storytelling.
Community Row
Nonprofits, health resources and Colorado community organizations.
Free Admission
Open to everyone. Bring your family, friends and neighbors.
Day of
Festival Schedule
Sunday, September 6, 2026 · 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Centennial Center Park
- 1:00 PM – 1:15 PMMain GateCeremony
Gates open · Meskel flower blessing
Vendor row, kids zone and splash pads open. Adey Abeba flowers handed to guests.
- 1:00 PM – 9:00 PMCoffee ZoneCulture
Coffee ceremony · Buna welcome
Traditional jebena roasting and pouring with popcorn and himbasha.
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMMain StageMusic
DJ KD · Opening sounds
Keduse Abuhay / DJ KD sets the vibe with Ethio-jazz, modern Amharic hits and dance music.
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PMMain StageDance
For the Culture Dance Team
For the Culture youth collective takes the main stage with Ethiopian dance, song and fashion.
- 8:00 PM – 9:00 PMMain StageHeadliner
Tariku 80 · Headline set
Comedy, singing and dance from Tariku 80, joined on stage by Dereje Geteye, Tigest Dereje and Selamwite Shewarega. Closing with his hit Enkutataye for the new year.
- 8:00 PM – 9:00 PMMain StageMusic
DJ dance party & closing new year toast
Open-air dance floor, candle lighting and the Enkutatash 2019 toast at 8:45 PM.
Showing 6 highlights of 13 scheduled moments.
Get involved
Vendors, Sponsors & Volunteers
This festival runs on the businesses and partners who show up for it. Booths and sponsorships are limited and go quickly.
From $150
Nonprofit booths $150 · General booths $200 · Food booths $300. Apply and pay online in a few minutes.
Apply as a vendor$500 – $8,000
Five partnership levels, from community support to presenting partner with main stage naming rights.
See packagesJoin the crew
Ethiopian Day runs on volunteers — setup, welcome tables, kids zone, coffee ceremony and stage support.
Volunteer with CECLocation
Centennial Center Park
13050 E. Peakview Ave, Centennial, CO 80112
- Free parking adjacent to the park, with overflow lots signed on the day.
- Accessible pathways throughout the venue.
- Restrooms and hydration stations on site.
- Please support our local vendors and sponsors.
- Follow event staff and directional signage at the entrance.
Beyond Ethiopian Day
CEC Programs Year-Round
Ethiopian Day is one day. Our programs run all year — from youth and culture to wellness, careers, and mutual aid.
Youth & Leadership
Mentorship, leadership development, and college readiness for Ethiopian American youth.
Learn moreCultural Programs
Language, music, coffee ceremony, and heritage programming that keep Ethiopian culture alive in Colorado.
Learn moreMental Health & Wellness
Culturally responsive wellness programming, support groups, and referrals for individuals and families.
Learn moreCommunity Support & Edir
Traditional Edir mutual-aid support that stands with families during illness, loss, and hardship.
Learn moreBusiness & Professional Development
Workshops, internships, and networking that help members build careers and small businesses in Colorado.
Learn moreCommunity Events
Ethiopian Day, Adwa Day, the General Assembly, and gatherings that bring the community together.
Learn moreየጋራ መረዳጃ ማህበር · Mutual aid
CEC Edir
Our Edir stands with families during loss, illness, unemployment, and disability. Over 1,000 members support one another, with a $15,000 benefit paid in time of loss.
Community impact
Our Impact
A snapshot of our work. Figures shown as a dash are being verified and will be published once confirmed.
- Community members served
- —Community members served
- Interns supported in 2025–2026
- 13Interns supported in 2025–2026
- Internship partner organizations
- 7Internship partner organizations
- Community events each year
- —Community events each year
Working together
Community Partners
We work alongside local organizations, schools, and agencies to serve Colorado families.
- Spring Institute
- Ardent Grove Foundation
- Center for Immigrants and Immigration Services
- Aurora Public Schools
- Lasting Peace Counseling
- Hand to the Future
Get involved
There's a Place for You in Our Community
Time, partnership, or a gift — every contribution strengthens the community.
Volunteer
Give a few hours at an event or lend a professional skill to a program.
Volunteer with usBecome a Partner
Organizations, schools, and businesses partner with CEC to serve the community.
Partner with CECDonate
Support cultural programming, youth development, and community services.
Give todayNewsletter
Stay Connected
Get updates about community programs, events, resources, and Ethiopian Day news.