Get ready, Canberra! The City Centre is about to come alive with the music, food and colours of modern Latin America.
Canberra’s biggest Latin celebration is back this November with an explosion of colour, rhythm, and flavour. Join us for a one-day festival packed with live Latin American bands, DJs, dancers, street food, art and hands-on workshops — all in the heart of the city.
Event details
- 1pm to 10pm, Saturday 7 November 2026
- Latin American Plaza, 38 Childers Street, Canberra city
- Free entry
Main Stage
1pm | Batería 61 × Raio de Sol
1:20pm | Solquemia Trio
2:15pm | Official Opening
2:50pm | Tierra Querida
4pm | Kachimbaz
5:35pm | Samba de Moça
6:45pm | The New Monos
7:55pm | Afro-Cuba by Suns of Mercury
8:30pm | Batería 61 × Raio de Sol
9:05pm | Sorbo Amplio
10pm | Batería 61 × Raio de Sol
Dance Stage
2:30pm | TengoTango + Tango Social Club of Canberra | Baila Chile Kids
3:45pm | Momposina Colombian Dance Group | México Lindo
4:55pm | Rio Samba (Interactive Workshop)
5:10pm | Afro-Cuba by Suns of Mercury (Interactive Workshop)
6:30pm | Só Samba Canberra | Baila Chile
7:40pm | Kokoloco Dance Studio | Kimsataki Ecuador | Mi Peru Dance Group
8:45pm | Kokoloco Dance Studio | Mi Peru Dance Group
La Fiesta Program Highlights
Nueva Cumbia
Sorbo Amplio
Melbourne-based Sorbo Amplio bring the energy of Nueva Cumbia to the festival stage, blending Chilean cumbia with ska, rock, hip-hop and Latin influences. With a sound that is energetic, playful and unapologetically made for dancing, their live shows are all about rhythm, connection and making the crowd part of the party.
Afro-Cuba
Afro-Cuba by Suns of Mercury
Afro-Cuba by Suns of Mercury brings together Cuban and Australian artists in a performance exploring the deep African roots of Cuban music. Batá drums, rumba, percussion and dance meet contemporary electronic production, connecting centuries-old traditions with new sounds. Featuring Adrian Hearn, Aloy Junco, Rodolfo “Panga” Hechavarría and Wichy de Vedado, the performance offers a rare meeting of traditional and contemporary Cuban music.
CUMBIA - REGGAE - RAP - FOLKLORE
The New Monos
The New Monos bring together Buenos Aires roots and Melbourne’s multicultural music scene in a sound that refuses to sit inside one genre. Cumbia, reggae, rock, rap, rumba and South American folklore collide with accordion, percussion and plenty of attitude. The result is contemporary Latin Australian music shaped by migration, friendship and a deep connection to the music of home.
Fringe Program Highlights
LATIN RHYTHMS - LIVE MUSIC - CULTURE - STORYTELLING
Raices & Rhythms - Latin America in Australia
Experience the sounds and stories of Latin America in an intimate evening of live music and conversation. Bringing together musicians from Chile, Cuba, Argentina and Australia, Raíces & Rhythms celebrates cultural roots through Afro-Cuban percussion, flamenco, Latin folk and contemporary sounds. Discover the traditions, personal stories and rhythms connecting Latin America to Australia.
FLAMENCO - CUBAN PERCUSSION - SAMBA - DANCE
Los Workshops: Rhythm, Dance and Culture
Get hands-on with the rhythms and traditions of Latin America at Los Workshops. Led by artists from SENES Flamenco, Suns of Mercury and iLe iLu, this immersive day brings together flamenco, Cuban percussion, dance and Brazilian samba. Learn new skills, explore the cultural stories behind the music and experience the rhythms firsthand. Join one workshop or make a day of it!
REGGAETON - LATIN HITS - DJ SETS - DANCING
Fuego Pre-Fiesta at Highball
Turn up the heat and kick off La Fiesta weekend at Highball! With Canberra's DJ Nat spinning reggaeton and Latin hits, Fuego Pre-Fiesta is bringing the energy of Latin nightlife straight to the city. Expect infectious beats, plenty of dancing and a vibrant celebration of Latin culture and community. The perfect way to get the fiesta started!
Your year-round Latin American taste adventure in the city!
Make a day of it: City Centre stops around La Fiesta
Staycation in the City Centre
