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Yupi! Latin American Arts Family Festival at Presentation House Theatre 2026
The Yupi! Latin American Arts Family Festival takes over Presentation House Theatre for three joyful days of Latin American culture. Enjoy incredible performances, hands-on workshops, and creative activities for the whole family. Dance, drum, laugh, and learn all weekend, then close it out with a traditional Carnaval Ball. The festival is made for ages 3 to 12 and their families, with all backgrounds welcome, and activities in English with Spanish and Portuguese woven throughout. It is a Neworld Theatre, Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre, and La Libélula production.
- When: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Opening night at 7:00 PM on October 16
- Where: Presentation House Theatre, 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, BC
- Cost: Ticketed; workshops are free with a main stage ticket purchase
- Hosted by: Neworld Theatre, Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre, and La Libélula
- Website: Yupi! Latin American Arts Family Festival
Main Stage Shows
Opening Night: Friday, October 16
Alma Raíz
Travel through the rhythms, stories, and traditions of Colombia with live music and a dynamic ensemble of dancers. They bring the mountains, rivers, and coasts of Colombia to life through traditional dances rooted in Indigenous, African, and European heritage.
Aché Brasil Capoeira
An explosion of colour, movement, and culture, blending Afro-Brazilian dance, live percussion, martial arts, acrobatics, and infectious rhythms. It’s a high-energy show for all ages.
MNGWA Band
What happens when cumbia, salsa, funk, and psychedelic rock collide? MNGWA creates an infectious, groove-driven sound rooted in Latin American musical traditions and shaped by experimentation.
Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18
Canto Vivo Choir
The Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre’s community choir, founded in 2017 and directed by Sérgio Pires, brings together 34 singers from 15 countries. They perform beloved Latin American songs in Spanish and Portuguese.
Muévete Marimbas
A group of young marimba players performs an energetic mix of original music and songs inspired by Latin America, Africa, and local artists. They play entirely from memory and invite the audience to clap, dance, and join in.
Moonweavings
Long after they should be asleep, three young cousins on a family summer vacation turn their beach cottage bedroom into a theatrical haven. Their imaginative play leads through enchanting stories and Latin American children’s music.
Nahualli Folklore Show
Mexican folk dance with colourful costumes, lively music, and dynamic choreography, taking audiences on a journey through Mexico’s diverse regions.
Baile de Carnaval
The festival closes with a Brazilian Carnival dance party, with the rhythms of samba, traditional marchinhas de carnaval, and other beloved Brazilian genres. Wear your favourite costume and bring your carnival spirit.
Workshops
Workshops are free with a main stage ticket purchase, and no experience is needed.
This Is How Latin America Sounds
Led by La Libélula, filmmaker and artist Yunuen Perez-Vertti and curator Fiorella Pinillos, this participatory art workshop invites you to share songs, sounds, and memories of home while collaboratively creating an installation celebrating Latin American cultures, migration stories, and community connections.
Alegría en Movimiento
Led by Carla Alcántara, this joyful movement workshop for all ages uses playful games and guided movement to connect with yourself, your culture, and each other.
Introduction to Capoeira
Join Capoeira Aché Brasil, founded by Mestre Eclilson de Jesus and teaching in Vancouver since 1990, to discover the movements of this Afro-Brazilian art form and explore movement, music, culture, respect, and community.
Brazilian Carnaval Mask
Led by Mariana Frochtengarten, build and decorate a mask inspired by the bold colours, patterns, and fauna and flora of Brazilian life, and leave with a wearable work of art.
Batucadinha
Led by Dani Gramani, families explore traditional Brazilian percussion, learn lively carnival songs, and make music together.
Brazilian Carnival Dance
Led by Luciana D’Anunciação, this energetic dance workshop draws on Brazilian street carnival and the rhythms of Frevo, Funk Carioca, Samba, and Ciranda. It is open to all ages and levels. Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes suitable for jumping, and bring a water bottle.
Free Activities
- Silk Screen with Yaimel López
- Face Painting with Karen Morales
- Juanito the Puppet with Mary Soto
- Lotería (Mexican Bingo) with Carla Vallin
Accessibility
If you have any accessibility needs, contact the Presentation House Theatre box office before you attend.
