WORCESTER – For the second year in a row there will be no Latin American Festival this summer. However, there will be the inaugural Latin American Rhythm 2026, described as a “vibrant cultural celebration” taking place from 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Worcester Common behind City Hall.
Centro, the Worcester Latino and multicultural health and human services provider that has put on the festival for many years, announced the Latin American Rhythm event. It will be free and open to the public.
“This exciting new event will bring together families, community organizations, to celebrate the rich traditions, music, dance, and diversity of Latin America,” said Tina Velazquez, interim president and chief executive officer of Centro in the announcement.
“For more than three decades, Centro has proudly hosted the Annual Latin American Festival, one of the region’s premier celebrations of Latin American culture. While the full-scale full-scale festival will not take place this year, Centro remains committed to continuing the tradition of cultural celebration and community engagement,” Velazquez said.
“In collaboration with Tumbao Latin Dance, Latin American Rhythm was created as a special cultural experience that honors the spirit and legacy of the Latin American Festival while building excitement for the future.”
The Latin American Festival dates back to 1991 and had become one of the region’s largest celebrations of Latino culture with thousands of people attending on Worcester Common behind City Hall. Performers taking part included local, regional, national and international artists. The event was traditionally held on the third Saturday in August, as will this year’s Latin American Rhythm.
Last year, Velazquez said the festival was canceled for “many reasons,” including decreased sponsorship support and funding for the event since the COVID-19 pandemic, increased costs, the “current economic and political climate in the U.S.” and the importance of concentrating on Centro’s essential programs. But she said that the festival was not canceled because Centro was afraid of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
This year, “Attendees can look forward to an afternoon filled with live performances showcasing a variety of Latin American dance traditions, including: Flamenco, Bomba, Salsa, Bachata and Merengue. Latin American Rhythm is more than an event – it’s an opportunity to bring people together through culture, music, and dance while honoring the traditions that have connected our community for generations.”
The event will also feature community leaders, elected officials and special guests, the announcement said.
