Welcoming Week 2025 celebrates diversity in the U.S.

Photo of Chris Boyer in Unsplash

From September 12-21, communities across the United States come together to celebrate Welcoming Week 2025, an annual event dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion.

What is Welcoming Week?

Started in 2012 by Welcoming America, this movement brings together neighbors, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and families to create spaces for cultural exchange, dialogue between immigrants and non-immigrants, and to reinforce values of welcome. Each year has a theme; in 2025 the motto is “Stories We Share” (The stories we share).

What happens during the week?

• Community resource fairs are held, where organizations working with immigrants offer information on services such as health, education, legal services, language services, etc.
• There are cultural activities: storytelling, music, art, festivals, and gastronomy that showcase the diverse origins of the residents.
• Conversation spaces to understand immigrant experiences, workshops, dialogue circles, language classes.

Welcoming Week is held every year on similar dates, around mid-September. It serves not only as a stand-alone event but as a launching point for year-round community initiatives.

Featured Events in Boston/Massachusetts

• BostonThe city organizes activities such as community activations, story-sharing spaces under the theme “Stories We Share,” cultural exhibitions, and information fairs in different neighborhoods.
• Somerville: Officially declared September 12-22 as Welcoming Week, featuring storytelling, art, community meals, and community building events.
• Malden: It will also be held from September 12 to 21, with activities such as multilingual storytelling, music, farmers' markets, and opportunities to learn about municipal services for immigrants.

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Sources:

• Welcoming Week
• Boston.gov
• somervillema.gov
• cityofmalden.org