Saturday, July 19th from 1 PM to 9 PM
¡Wepa! New England's longest-running Latino cultural festival returns on Saturday, July 19th from 1 PM to 9 PM at Plaza Betances, 100 West Dedham Street. The annual celebration will showcase over 50 years of community, music, y muchas cosas buenas.
The festival will feature a parade, traditional cuisine, arts and crafts, children's activities including face painting and inflatables, and other attractions highlighting the diversity of Latinx culture.
About Festival Betances
Festival Betances serves as a cornerstone of New England's Latinx community and the Boston summer festival season. The annual in-person event draws a multicultural audience of more than 3,000 people each year.
Throughout its history, the festival's stage has hosted numerous musical and dance performances, ranging from local and regional acts to international Latinx music icons such as Larry Harlow from Fania All Stars, Tony Vega, and Tito Rojas. The festival honors Ramón Emeterio Betances, a Puerto Rican patriot whose medical contributions benefited Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Betances became a leader in awakening national consciousness in Puerto Rico and is considered one of the foremost intellectuals of the 19th century.
This Year's Lineup
This summer's celebration of Puerto Rican culture will feature the electrifying sounds of:
Raíz de Plena, who keep Afro-Caribbean traditions alive through the powerful rhythms of Bomba and Plena.
Tony Toyán, a Miami-based artist whose romantic lyrics and cuatro-driven performances blend modern flair with deep Caribbean roots.
Orquesta El Macabeo, the genre-defying salsa gorda band whose punk-infused energy and raw lyricism have made them underground legends.
Lorna Marcano, who will honor the Queen of Salsa with a moving tribute to Celia Cruz, backed by her powerhouse orchestra.
The festival will close with headliner Bobby Valentín, "El Rey del Bajo," the Fania All-Star and salsa icon whose timeless hits have shaped the sound of Latin music for over 60 years.
For more information, visit https://ibaboston.org/events/festival-betances