A vibrant celebration of Latin culture in the Midwest
Festival Cubano is an annual three-day event taking place every August in Riis Park, in Belmont-Cragin neighborhood of the Northwest Chicago. Grammy-winning musicians, dancers, and Chicago’s greatest street food will be available during a fun-filled weekend. Over 30 vendors will be serving delicious jibarito sandwiches, lechón, tostones, and ropa vieja. Over 75 vendors will offer arts, crafts, and souvenirs.
Since the early 2000s, the festival features premier Cuban stars like Willy Chirino and Jerry Rivera. One of the biggest highlights of this summer fest is traditional rumba parades. There are also carnival rides, drumming classes and exciting competitions. Over 30 rides feature the Giant Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, ThunderBolt, Yo-Yo, Touch Down, Rock Star, and Zipper. Master Cigar Makers create elite hand-rolled cigars from Cuba and the Dominican Republic with the best Cuban-shredded tobaccos, originating from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Festival Cubano also includes a Classic Vintage Cars show. Over 15 vehicles from 1950 to 1970 will be on display. Dancers can learn some new moves during several workshops led by best instructors. The weekend will also provide plenty of opportunities for domino game fans. Players can compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights. The Boxing Corner at Festival Cubano will feature a series of duels among athletes from Chicago and other cities.
