There is something profoundly special about taking the streets to reclaim public space with music, flavor, laughter and community. Fiestas en la Calle, part of the 47th International Folk Festival, is more than a celebration. It is a declaration of belonging during Hispanic Heritage Month.
For one day on Saturday, Sept. 27, sidewalks in downtown Fayetteville turn into rivers of joy. Families in colorful hats, children darting between flags and bubbles, drums echoing in the distance like a heartbeat. Everything that makes our culture visible: food, dance, language, warmth, unfurls without restraint in the heart of the street.
Because yes, the street can be home too. A home when it is filled with empanadas and piñatas, with smiles and games. When the booths do not just offer food but also stories. And when moving from one stand to another feels like traveling from country to country without ever leaving North Carolina.
This year, Fiestas en la Calle brings even more vibrancy to Festival Park with a special Latino Show from noon to 6 p.m. The stage will come alive with a rich lineup of performers who carry the rhythms, colors, and heart of Latin America. From folkloric dance troupes to salsa, bachata and live drumming, the music will become a passport to diverse traditions and unforgettable energy.
Families will also find joy in the Kids Zone, a space dedicated to laughter, games and creativity where the youngest can play, paint and dream while the music flows.
And of course, no fiesta is complete without sabor — flavor. Food trucks serving the best of Latino flavors will fill the park with aromas and stories. From empanadas and tacos to refreshing aguas frescas and sweet homemade desserts like flan! Every bite becomes a memory.
Here, the entire community takes center stage. Artists, entrepreneurs, moms selling homemade sweets, kids drumming for the very first time. Everything vibrates with soul. And the most beautiful part is that it is not about impressing. It is about sharing.
Fiestas en la Calle reminds us that you do not need a stage to be part of the show. All it takes is showing up, opening your heart, and letting identity speak for itself.
For a full schedule of events, check out the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s Facebook page, and for even more information, like an event map, FAQs and more, head to the Arts Council website.
See you en la calle
Read CityView Magazine’s “Fall in Fayetteville” September 2025 e-edition here.
