The Latin American Experience is a series of events celebrating Latin music, food and culture. It includes Vancouver’s famous Carnaval del Sol festival.
In 2024 Carnaval del Sol happens on July 5th to 18th. There is Flamenco, Tango & Wine Night on July 11th, a Soccer Tournament on July 13th and 14th, and a Latin American Cocktail event on July 18th, plus likely a few other events too.
Continue reading below for dates and other details about the various events.
This article includes information about the following topics and events:
Latin American Experience Schedule | Carnaval del Sol | Soccer Tournament | Tango & Flamenco Night | Fiesta Blanca Salsa Cruise | Other Information
Latin American Week and the Latin American Experience
Close to 40,000 people of Latin American and Caribbean origin call the Lower Mainland home. Hence why the City of Vancouver dedicates a week or two in early July or August each year as a special time to celebrate Latin American culture.
There were at least two weeks of festivities to enjoy in 2023. Dates for some of this past year’s events are listed further below.
To learn more about the largest Latin festival in the Pacific Northwest, see our article about Carnaval del Sol. To learn about Latin American Week events from past years, and what happened during the Latin American Experience in 2023, continue reading.
Latin American Experience Schedule in 2023
As of late June, the following events were scheduled to take place during the Latin American Experience series of events in 2023. (Note: Dates and details were subject to change.)
- World Soccer Tournament – a fun tournament on the Saturday and Sunday of July 13th and 14th (at a venue to be determined). A couple of years ago the games happened at Empire Field.
- Carnaval del Sol – Vancouver’s major Latin festival happens on the weekend of July 5th to 7th (likely at Jonathan Rogers Park in Vancouver, but exact details were to be confirmed).
- Flamenco, Tango & Wine Night – dance performances at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver on Thursday, July 11th.
- Fiesta Blanca Cruise – a boat party on the waters around Vancouver on a weekend in July.
- Latin American Cocktail Tasting – at a venue in Burnaby on Thursday, July 18th.
- Carnavalito – a new, small version of Carnaval del Sol in Langley on August 17th.
For the official Carnaval del Sol website, click carnavaldelsol.ca.
Dates: July 5th to 18th in 2024
Carnaval del Sol is a family-friendly festival. It used to be at the end of Latin American Week and without doubt the week’s number one attraction. In 2022 and in 2023, the event at Concord Pacific Place ran for three days. This year, Carnaval del Sol is running for 14 days. It also now takes place before most if not all of the other events.
Last year the main event took place at David Lam Park, located at 1300 Pacific Boulevard in Vancouver. In 2024, it happens at Jonathan Rogers Park. The festival begins on Friday, July 8th, with the Opening Night event featuring DJ music and a beer garden. Tickets for the first event in 2023 started at $30 online and cost $45 at the door. Prices are likely to be comparable in 2024.
Carnaval del Sol continues on the Saturday and Sunday of July 6th and 7th. Tickets for each day last year cost $15 online or $20 at the gate and will likely be similar in 2024. The weekend features a number of zones including a Kids’ Plaza, Food Plaza, Beer Plaza, Market Plaza, Experience Plaza, Family Plaza, and more. In each area there are different things to do and see. There is also plenty of live entertainment to enjoy.
Click Carnaval del Sol to learn more about this event.
Soccer Tournament
Date: July 13th & 14th in 2024
The annual Soccer Tournament takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of July 13th and 14th. Last year it was a one-day event at Empire Field at 2901 East Hastings Street near the PNE in Vancouver from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. The times and location for the games in 2024 are to be confirmed.
The tournament in past years has featured eight teams of eight, nine, or 10 players each. Admission for each team has cost $250. Families and friends of players are welcome to attend as well. There is usually DJ music to enjoy and sometimes even Zumba sessions to try. Food is also available.
For more information, visit the Carnaval del Sol website.
For the official Carnaval del Sol website, click carnavaldelsol.ca.
Tango & Flamenco Moments
Date: July 13th in 2023
Note: This event often sells out! Be sure to book your spot well in advance when it hopefully returns in 2024!
Tango & Flamenco Moments is an evening of flamenco and tango dancing hosted by Latincouver. In 2023 the event took place at 7:00 pm on July 13th at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver. The venue is located at 115 Victory Ship Way.
Performers at this past year’s event included Flamenco Rosario and Tango Rumba. Dinner and wine was included and tickets ranged from $65 up to $80. Prices will likely be comparable in 2024 should this event return.
See our article about Tango & Flamenco Moments for information about this event.
For the official Carnaval del Sol website click carnavaldelsol.ca.
Fiesta Blanca Salsa Cruise
Date: July 15th in 2023 (and with 2024 details to be confirmed)
Fiesta Blanca is a nightclub-like cruise on a party boat where participants wear white, dance and have a wonderful party. In 2023 the event began at 8:30 pm on July 15th and ran until 12:30 am.
Last year, the evening cruise departed from Coal Harbour at 501 Denman Street. This event marks the summer “kickoff” for Salsa Cruises which is a Vancouver party boat company.
The Fiesta Blanca Salsa Cruise involves Latin music with different DJs on each of the two or three levels of the boat. The event also features complimentary salsa lessons. Food and drinks are available for purchase as well. Tickets last year cost about $50 in advance and will likely be similar in 2024.
For information click Fiesta Blanca Cruise.
Other Information
For a list of other major events in the Lower Mainland throughout the year, see Vancouver’s Festivals & Events Calendar.
For ideas on what to do on the first weekend in July, click Canada Day in Metro Vancouver.
Other Latin American and Caribbean events you might enjoy at other times of the year include the following:
- Trail of Coffee – an event for coffee lovers at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver. It features coffee-themed workshops, exhibits, tastings and more in April.
- Cinco de Mayo – Mexican holiday celebrations in early May.
- Caribbean Days Festival – a festival in North Vancouver in late July.
- Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival – a cultural event in Maple Ridge in early August.
- Fiesta Mexicana – a Mexican festival in Yaletown or Robson Square in early to mid-September (although it doesn’t happen every year).
- Latin American Heritage Month – a series of events celebrating Latin American culture in the Lower Mainland in October.
- Day of the Dead Latin Market – an event on Granville Island in late October.
- Flamenco, Tango & Wine Night – an event that happens in the summer each year as well as in the fall during Latin American Heritage Month.
