Carnaval del Sol Returns to Vancouver July 5–7
Three-day festival presented by Latincouver, plus other can’t-miss
Latin American events to attend this summer
Get ready to be immersed in the vibrant flavours, sounds, and traditions of Latin America this summer as Carnaval del Sol makes its splashy return, Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7. The largest Latin American festival in the Pacific Northwest, this three-day cultural celebration embraces a new location at Mount Pleasant’s Jonathan Rogers Park, which will be transformed into a bustling hub of cuisine, arts, and entertainment fit for the entire family. Latincouver — a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Latin American culture in British Columbia — is the proud organizer of this and other can’t-miss experiences happening this July.
Carnaval del Sol Opening Night Party at the Granville Island Beer Plaza at Jonathan Rogers Park: Fri, July 5
Let the celebrations begin! Dance the night away at the Carnaval del Sol Opening Night Party, hosted for adults aged 19+. Headlining this kickoff event is DJ Gambeat y la Grooving Familia, visiting from France with an electric performance that combines the genres of reggae, salsa, dub, and cumbia. An exciting lineup follows, with guest performers DJ Hera, and DJ La Zonida. Vancouver Pride Society presents dazzling drag shows by Mya, Malandro, and Visa (a Mexican drag queen known for competing on the third season of Drag Race España) to set the stage for a weekend of fun.
Savour irresistible empanadas and churros (available for purchase), and raise a toast with a limited-edition Carnaval del Sol cerveza crafted by Granville Island Brewing.
Tickets from $25 (online in advance) can be purchased here.
Carnaval del Sol at Jonathan Rogers Park: Sat, July 6, and Sun, July 7
A weekend brimming with flavour, rhythm, and creativity awaits at Jonathan Rogers Park. Discover the diverse talents and influences that make Latin America shine with over 50 immersive activities and 11 distinct plazas to experience.
The Mucho Burrito Plaza del Sol (Main Plaza) will host live performances and energizing concerts by acclaimed artists like Ivonne Ley (a Selena tribute artist), La Linea (playing salsa, meringue, bachata, and reggaeton), and Chesca (visiting from Puerto Rico).
At the Food Plaza, guests can taste more than 30 authentic dishes from 20 diverse Latin American countries, including: Mexico; Peru; Colombia; Venezuela; Brazil; Chile; Guatemala; El Salvador; Spain; and Portugal. Look forward to trying new and familiar favourites, like: empanadas; tacos; arepas; tequenõs; paella; and much more.
This year’s newly featured Ascenda Indigenous Plaza immerses guests into the roots of salsa, cumbia, and other traditional Latin American dances through insightful discussions and unforgettable performances.
This year’s new Cabrón Cocktail Plaza offers guests a new area to unwind and imbibe, with a selection of tequila-based canned cocktails crafted by Cabrón, one of the festival sponsors.
One- and two-day passes range from $17–$40, with FREE admission for kids under 12 and seniors 65+. A two-day VIP Experience Pass for $70 includes access to the Culinary Experience Plaza (with live chef demos), fast-track access to the Beer Plaza, an invitation to the VIP Plaza (where cocktail tastings, private washrooms and optimal main stage views are available) plus other perks. Check out the full Carnaval del Sol lineup and purchase tickets at carnavaldelsol.ca.
In addition to the three-day festival, Latincouver is proud to host three more exciting events in July:
Flamenco, Tango and Wine: Thurs, July 11:
Celebrate Southern Spain and Argentina at North Vancouver’s Pipe Shop with a night of flamenco by France’s Quairo ensemble and tango by Montréal’s Tango in Fusion. Indulge in exquisite Spanish paella and wine to cap off the evening.
Tickets, $130–$150, available online.
Mini World Cup Soccer Tournament: Fri, July 12 and Sat, July 13:
Bring your passion and national pride to the field during a fun-filled two-day soccer tournament hosted at Vancouver’s Empire Field in Hastings Park.
Team registration, $300–$350, and tournament rules, available online.
Brazilian Fiesta at Fox Cabaret: Fri, July 19:
Caravan Rhythms and Latincouver are proud to present a special concert featuring Flavia Nascimento and Tio Chorinho, two of Canada’s top Brazilian roots musicians, along with Vancouver’s Brazilian cover group, AmarElas. Tickets, $20–$25, available online.
Media release and image provided by Serena PR.
