The Annual Fiesta Festival is a celebration of Hispanic and Latin cultures, but its purpose goes beyond a day of food and performances. Hosted by the Hispanic League of Winston-Salem, the festival creates a space where people can share traditions and learn more about the Hispanic and Latino communities that call the Triad home. It’s about building connections across cultures, whether you’re celebrating your own heritage or learning more about someone else’s. 

Diane Massas, Executive Director of the Hispanic League, echoes this sentiment: 

Fiesta is a celebration of culture and heritage, but it is also an opportunity for our entire community to come together, learn from one another, support local businesses, and celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities throughout the Triad.”

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and there’s plenty to keep you busy for the day. Come hungry and start with lunch from one of the food vendors, where you might find tamales, arepas, tacos, and the fan-favorite pupusas. 

After lunch, make your way through more than 80 vendor and exhibitor booths filled with artisan goods, local products, community services, and resources. Families will want to stop by the interactive kids’ zone, participate in cultural crafts, get their face painted, and learn more through the various educational activities. A digital festival map will be available during the week leading up to the event, making it easier to plan which vendors you don’t want to miss. Most booths begin closing around 5:30 p.m. as the festival gets ready for the headlining act. 

Need a break from the heat? Step inside the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, where you’ll also find public restrooms, or use the mid-afternoon hours to explore a little more of downtown. Foothills Brewpub is a great spot to grab a drink, and you can pop into nearby shopping at Bookmarks and Design Archives next door. Or opt for the smaller, more charming bars of the downtown arts district at Silver Moon Saloon and Hel's, giving you the option to explore this vibrant downtown district lined with boutiques, galleries, and public art installations. 

Camino Bakery is the perfect spot for a pick-me-up and if the kids are getting restless, head to Kaleideum where they can burn off some energy away from the heat of the day. The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem also recently opened its downtown exhibition space, and all of these stops are within a block or two of the festival grounds. 

Just don’t stay away too long. Live music is one of Fiesta’s biggest draws, with entertainment happening across two stages throughout the day. The Main Stage lineup includes Ballet Folklórico Mexican Tradition del Maestro Julio Ruiz, Oscar Oviedo's Band, Los Acoustic Guys, and more before Banda Zeta closes out the festival as the headliner.

This is the perfect excuse to spend the whole weekend exploring Winston-Salem, so plan to arrive Friday and stick around through Sunday. Here are some ideas for how to spend your extra time. 

• Stay Downtown – The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, and Hotel Indigo are all within easy walking distance to the festival grounds, along with restaurants, shops, and other attractions. Staying downtown also means that you can leave the car parked all weekend and opt to walk everywhere if you prefer. 
• Explore the Downtown Arts District and Public Art – Browse local art galleries and boutiques while searching for public art in the Downtown Arts District. Don’t miss La Luz de Diversidad at Fourth and Trade streets, downtown Winston-Salem’s only Hispanic-themed mural, which was restored and rededicated with support from the Forsyth Hispanic League in 2017. 
• Buy a Ticket for Old Salem – Plan a visit to Old Salem Museums & Gardens for Friday afternoon, when you’ll have time to step inside the historic buildings, meet costumed interpreters, and learn more about the Moravian community that settled Salem. Ticketed venues are closed Sunday, but they do open at 10 a.m. on Saturday if you want to explore for a bit before Fiesta Festival. 
• Entertain the Kids at Kaleideum – If you’re visiting with kids, you don’t want to miss Kaleideum, a hands-on learning museum in the heart of downtown. Kids can work their way through nine exhibit areas, including Wonders of Water, Our Nature, the Digital Dome, and Rooftop Adventure. 
• Downtown Dining – There are plenty of downtown dining options beyond the festival food vendors. Alma Mexicana sits on the edge of Bailey Park with a modern take on Tex-Mex, or opt for the classic taste of wood-fired pizza around the corner at Cugino Forno. In the 4th Street corridor, start with drinks at Bar La Ch.ngada before sitting down for an elevated meal at Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse.
• Beyond Downtown – Venture beyond downtown to explore more of what makes Winston-Salem special. Art-lovers and history buffs will love touring the Reynolda House Museum of American Art and strolling through Reynolda Village and Gardens. Head to one of three nearby state parks—Pilot Mountain, Hanging Rock, or Stone Mountain—for great hiking or one of the local Winston-Salem parks like Salem Lake, Tanglewood, or The Quarry at Grant Park. Another option is to visit one of the 45 wineries within 45 minutes of Winston-Salem in the surrounding Yadkin Valley.