Bursts of colour, music that makes you move & food with flair - Welcome to the Ventana Fiesta

Ventana is an incredible celebration of over 25 countries that shine with their colourful traditions and cultures. The fiesta lets you experience the vibrancy of these through dance, music, food, sports and arts.   

Part of the iconic Waterfront Festival (February 19 + 20), this year the Ventana Fiesta will have its own precinct located at Long Island Reserve, just across from the Landmark Bridge.

This is your chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant Latin America, Iberian, Italian and Caribbean cultures and communities. Let us show you how.

International music, rhythms and beats

After 2 years of quite stages, we’re all remembering how good live music and performance is - and we’ve missed it! Across the two days of the festival, the Ventana Fiesta stage will showcase music and dance from Brazilian, Italian, Chilean, Spanish and Cuban performers, just to name a few!

How does an eleven piece, edgy, urban orchestra sound? Let us introduce you to the Melbourne Tango Orchestra.

Experience Colombian tropical heritage live music and dance with the La Descarga Band.

Feel the beat and get your body moving to some traditional Mexican party music with Alejandro Espino Aldana

Those hips will be shaking before you even realise what’s happened. Just go with it!

You’ll find the Ventana Fiesta Stage line up here.

A colourful collective of global villages

This year, the Ventana Fiesta has created a village precinct for you to explore and enjoy the cultures and communities celebrated at the festival.   This vibrant village precinct will be a beautiful blend of roving performers, dance, music and don’t forget, cuisine that will have you floating on the aromas, desperate to find its source!

The Mexican Village will feature the popular Lucha Libre - Mexican Wrestling. Lucha Libre means "freestyle wrestling" and is a term used in Mexico for professional wrestling. The style of wrestling is characterised by colourful masks, as well as high flying manoeuvres. ⁠ There will be a wrestling demonstration followed by the Lucha School teaching you some wrestling moves!

Throughout the village precinct there will be roving entertainers too.  Keep a look out for the Brazilian performers, with the energy and spontaneity of Brazil’s famous street parties. A Mexican Mariachi, hello trumpeters and guitars, as well as Latin music (you’ll want to join in on the maraccas - trust us).  

The precinct will have four village areas to enjoy - Mexican, Columbian, Mediterranean and the South Village (Argentina & Chile). With a full range of intercultural activities for everyone in the family, you really don’t want to miss it!

Tell me about the food!

You’re going to be able to smell the Ventana Fiesta Precinct before you walk into it. Think Colombian Arepas, Empanadas, Mexican street food, authentic Spanish churros and Paella, traditional Argentine pastries, Panzerotto and Dutch pancakes. Ah..maz..ing!

Hold up though. What’s a Panzerotto you ask? Well, it’s a pastry dough filled with cheese and tomato sauce, fried up into a golden half-moon shaped pastry of deliciousness, traditional to Mediterranean culture. YUM!

Be sure to wash all that down at the Latin bar or with a Sangria (non-alcoholic options available), a glass of Prosecco or cocktail from the The Prosecco Van  or with a glass of seasonal craft beer thanks to our local favourites Dainton Family Brewery.

A speciality in this space this year will be Paletto Pops who will be serving up Artisan Gelato and Sorbet Pops for those with a sweeter tooth.

Here is full list of the delicious dishes on offer:

The Ventana Fiesta is part of the amazing Waterfront Festival. For more details on the event follow them on Facebook for live updates: The Waterfront Festival. 

The Waterfront Festival 
19 and 20 February 
Saturday 12-10pm and Sunday 12-8pm.