Darling Harbour Fiesta 2013

Australia's BIGGEST and FREE celebration of Latin American music, dance, food and culture will pump-up the fun to huge proportions when the annual Darling Harbour FIESTA Festival kicks-off this October 2013.

Presented by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, FIESTA is one of the most exciting cultural events of the year, with two days of red-hot live performances across three Darling Harbour venues on Saturday 12 October, from 12noon until 10pm and Sunday 13 October, from 12midday to 6pm.

With more than 200,000 attendees expected throughout the event, FIESTA 2013 will feature a weekend full of live performances by headline international acts including Latin Reggae icon Quique Neira from Chile, the fabulous alternative Latin American performer Kevin Johansen from Buenos Aires and the hot Brazilian vibes of Sistema Criolina – all of whom are sure to get the crowd up and dancing at Tumbalong Park.

Saturday night is party night with a spectacular Carnivale-style parade that will surely get Sydneysiders into the salsa spirit. Kicking off at 7pm on the opening night of the event (12 October), the parade will feature a vibrant display of giant puppets, samba dancers, capoeira performers, batucada drummers and costumed characters snaking their way along Darling Harbour.

A fantastic Latin American food fare with a myriad of food stalls offering churros, tacos, enchiladas and more will also be available throughout the FIESTA 2013 weekend on the grassed area at Tumbalong Park.

To break up the pace, Palm Grove will feature intimate live performances by the water, where visitors can also enjoy traditional and modern craft stalls that offer a fabulous selection of jewellery, fabrics and artwork.

Not-to-be-missed, the open air dance stage at Harbourside Amphitheatre will keep the heat turned-up high all weekend with upbeat tunes, loads of rhythm and an array of hip-shaking dance moves at learn-to-salsa classes.

Following the main event weekend, FIESTA Nights will see the FREE fun continue from 7pm-9pm on Friday 18 and 25 October as well as Saturday 19 and 26 October when the FIESTA entertainment offering will include interactive roving Brazilian acts and a host of duo and trio performance groups at Harbourside, Cockle Bay and The Village Green at Darling Quarter.

Latin American-inspired specials will also be available from participating Darling Harbour bars, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the month.