Join us at the annual Mother Language Festival, a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of the more than 170 mother languages spoken in Surrey and the 200+ spoken across BC.

Hosted by the Mother Language Lovers of the World Society (MLLWS) and supported through the City of Surrey’s Cultural Grants Program, this festival brings communities together to honour the deep connections between language, identity, and culture.

Experience an evening of live music, dance, storytelling, and spoken word—performed by cultural groups from across Surrey’s diverse communities, including First Nations, African, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Latin American, and Nepali traditions. Past performances have included powerful drumming in Kwak’wala, bright button blankets, traditional sweets, and interactive crowd participation.

Whether you speak your mother language fluently or are reconnecting with your roots, this festival is a reminder that every language matters. As the birthplace of International Mother Language Day—an occasion recognized by UNESCO thanks to the advocacy of MLLWS—Surrey proudly continues to lead in promoting linguistic diversity and intercultural understanding.