The sounds of salsa music and the smells of sizzling street food will once again fill the air and take over Vancouver as Carnaval del Sol, the Pacific Northwest’s largest Latin American festival, returns for its 17th edition to Jonathan Rogers Park from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13.
Hosted by Latincouver, this three-day festival is an immersive celebration of vibrant Latin culture and cuisine. New this year and inspired by the global anticipation surrounding next year’s international soccer tournaments, the festival will feature a high-energy Sport Plaza experience with street soccer competitions, fan zones, and special appearances by Latin American consulates, Canadian Government officials, and more.
“Our theme this year is Embrace Our Passion, Celebrate Together!,” says Paola Murillo, Executive Director of Latincouver. “Fútbol has always been a heartbeat of Latin American culture, and with a major global tournament coming to our city in 2026, we’re celebrating that shared passion.” But beyond the game, Murillo underscores the festival’s deeper purpose: unity. This year, Carnaval del Sol proudly partners with Filipino BC to honour cultural connections and community resilience. The collaboration features Filipino food, vendors, artists, and a meaningful 50/50 draw to support the victims and survivors of the tragic April Lapu-Lapu festival incident in Vancouver.
Carnaval del Sol 2025 promises to be an unforgettable summer festival, transforming Jonathan Rogers Park into one of Canada’s most vibrant celebrations of Latin American culture. As part of the larger Latin American experience, cultural events will take place throughout July, with the main festival weekend featuring more than 280 live performances, family-friendly activities, and themed plazas for every interest.
Highlights include:
Main Stage – Plaza del Sol
More than 160 local and international performers lead a thrilling musical journey across Latin America. Boogát, the award-winning hip-hop artist from Québec City, explores powerful modern themes in high-energy tracks. The Meni Axe Band brings Carnaval-style axé music and samba beats, Venezuelan singer-songwriter Lussilia fuses Latin pop with folksy roots and Caleb Hart brings his soulful reggae tones from Tobago. Crowd-pleasing favourites include Tren al Sur, Vancouver’s only rock en Español band, and the comedy fiesta of the theatrical musical group, Entangados.
Sport Plaza – 360-Degree Soccer Experience
A full-sensory celebration of the world’s game unites fans of all ages. Bringing Latin America’s passion for soccer to life, this plaza offers street-style soccer tournaments and skill challenges, immersive fan zones, live match screenings and national cultural showcases.
SHE LATINA Plaza
Celebrate and elevate women entrepreneurs, creatives and community leaders at this plaza that honours the resilience, creativity and collective power of mujeres. In this vibrant, empowering and inclusive space, Latinas connect and collaborate through networking events, pop-up markets, storytelling sessions, wellness activities and cultural workshops.
Seniors, Family and Kids Plazas
Seniors seeking a warm social space or relaxing retreat can discover a special zone offering Latin games, yoga, Zumba, arts workshops, along with the potential for meaningful connections. For families, a zone with folk dance, music, mariachi and youth performances includes access to hands-on educational and cultural activities and vendor booths with everything from crafts to community resources. The Chiquitzin Kids Plaza is a playful educational zone designed especially for young festival goers to explore Latin American traditions of music, dance, costumes and crafts.
Food Plaza – A Culinary Journey Through Latin America
More than 20 hand-picked food vendors representing over a dozen countries offer a tasty tour of Latin America, with iconic street eats and traditional dishes. From sizzling tacos and savoury pupusas to fresh Peruvian ceviche and Cuban-style rotisserie pig, each dish tells a story about Latin America’s culinary soul.
Beer Plaza – Granville Island Beer & Sol
Heat up with Latin rhythms and refresh with cold brews: sets by DJ 2 Monkeys, DJ Vibras and DJ Mujeres power dancing every night, culminating with Saturday’s signature La Hora Despechada, when the energy and beats hit their peak.
Latincouver is the non-profit organization behind Carnaval del Sol, the largest Latin American festival in the Pacific Northwest. Dedicated to celebrating Latin American culture across British Columbia, Latincouver creates vibrant spaces for cultural exchange, connection, and community.
Carnaval del Sol ticket prices range from $12 for a one-day general admission pass to $70 for a two-day VIP pass. Kids and seniors are free. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit: carnavaldelsol.ca/tickets.
