Your ultimate cheat sheet to La Fiesta, Canberra’s Latin American Festival

Posted on 20 October, 2025

Get ready to get your groove on, because La Fiesta is back and booming. Here’s everything you need to know.

Canberra’s very own Latin American festival is once again transforming the city centre, and you’d better be excited! Get ready for an afternoon and night celebrating music, art, and the rhythm of Latin America.

Showcasing a range of cultural music, dances, art, food, and so much more, go along and enjoy the fun the evening will bring.

Put on some dancing shoes; here’s what you can expect!

What is it?

For the third year running, La Fiesta presents a one-day celebration of live Latin American bands, DJs, dancers, hands-on workshops, and street food, highlighting the vibrant, high-energy Latin American culture.

In the heart of Canberra City, the festival takes place on Saturday 25 October from 2 pm until 10 pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the magic of Latin American music, art, and food.

What’s happening?

La Fiesta has something for everyone, and from musical performances to hands-on workshops, there are so many ways to get involved and have a fun evening.

Some highlights? Starting off with the musical performances at the fiesta, there are so many high-energy Latin American music acts, including Australia’s first Colombian picó sound system.

With an elaborate psychedelic artwork by artist William ‘El Maestro’ Gutierrez, and featuring DJs such as Kaimán, Jiménez, Selva y Tambo, and Bellaqueo, you won’t want to miss it. Meanwhile, the Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble ‘Baque Voador’ will create timeless Maracatu rhythms, produce powerful vocals, and showcase movement.

Demonstrating the African roots in Latin music, the music ensemble ‘Kunataki,’ will be combining Afro-Peruvian traditions with jazz, improvisation, and a contemporary twist, creating a thrilling atmosphere, while the band ‘Kachimbaz’ intertwines salsa, cumbia, ska, reggae, and rock into a show-stopping performance leaving the audience on the dance floor.

And last but definitely not least (coming from a background of 30 years of live music), the band Mi Tierra will present a setlist full of salsa, timba, mambo, cha-cha, and cumbia.

Watching live music isn’t your thing? Don’t worry, La Fiesta features so much more, ranging from Latin American art to cultural talks, dancers in various musical performances, street food, and even free hands-on dance and percussion workshops!

What can I eat and drink?

La Fiesta not only celebrates the vibrant music of Latin America but also its cuisine! Cultural street food can be found all around the buzzing festival with various dishes and drinks such as tacos, empanadas, arepas, and pisco.

And since you’re already in the heart of Canberra, why not make a day of it? Support local and try some of the other Latin American food in restaurants around the city, such as Jarochos, Fonda Mexican, Highball, and more!

What else do I need to know?

We all know that parking can be a bit of a pickle in the heart of Canberra (especially with the roadworks for the new light rail line), so here’s a link to a website with all the parking spots in the city, like your very own cheat sheet.

Public transport is no doubt one of the best ways to get to and from La Fiesta. With so many different bus routes connecting Canberra, we encourage you to check the bus timetable to find the best route for you. From the City Bus Station, it’s only a short walk to the festival. If you catch the light rail to the Alinga Street stop, it’s only a five-minute walk to the festival, so it’s quick and easy.