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It’s getting really hot in Charlotte, North Carolina, this summer, so we all deserve to kick back and have fun at night. And you can do just that at the Carowinds summer event that debuted last weekend, Viva La Fiesta. It will be running through August 10, 2025.
Viva La Fiesta takes place at night (Fridays through Sundays) at Carowinds. You’ll still get to enjoy the fun roller coasters and rides that Carowinds is so famous for. You just get to enjoy other festivities, too.
In this blog entry, I want to tell you about:
- The event’s Special entertainment
- The event’s special menu
- How to save money on tickets
Entertainment
- Beleza do Samb
- Brazilian dance party featuring salsa, samba, reggaeton & merengue
- Features dancers wearing elaborate costumes
- Takes place at El Ritmo Stage
- DJ Dance Party
- Pretty much what the name implies
- Takes place at El Ritmo Stage
- ¡FUEGO!
- A street party that us guests can join
- Takes place at La Estrella Stage
- Fiesta Bands
- Live music in genres like reggaeton & bachata
- Featuring bands like Furia Tropikal and Julio & Rafa
- Takes place at La Estrella Stage
- ¡WEPA! Summer Fiesta
- The finale of the evening
- Features a parade of singers and dancers who make their way to the stage
- Takes place at La Estrella Stage
- Rumbamena and Manteca Blue & The Latin Corner
- Manteca Blue & The Latin Corner perform Latin-jazz fusion
- Rumbamena’s international dance company performs authentic salsa, samba & Latin choreography
- Takes place one weekend: August 2nd & 3rd
Menu
Food
One of my favorite parts of this festival is the special menu available. I’ve been impressed in the past with the chefs at Carowinds during festivals like this. The food is really top quality. And I love how you get to sample cuisine from around the world.
Here are the countries and menu items you’ll find here.
Mexico
- Bistec a La Mexicana
- Traditionally seasoned beef sirloin with jalapeño peppers, white onion & rice
- Tres Leches Trio
- A trio of spongy cakes made of condensed milk & other assorted unique flavors
Brazil
- Bolinhos de Chuva
- Fried doughnuts coated in cinnamon sugar
- Brigadeiros
- Decadent fudge made with cocoa powder & condensed milk
- Rolled in chocolate sprinkles
Colombia
- Cholados Colombianos
- Sweetened condensed milk & fruit
Peru
- Ceviche Peruano
- Marinated shrimp with a blend of onion, chopped peppers, onion & sweet potato
- Served with crispy tostones
Argentina
- Bondipan
- Sandwich filled with roast pork, chimichurri & salsa
Cuba
- Pastelitos de Guayaba
- Puff pastry
- Filled with cream cheese & guava
Guatemala
- Pepián de Pollo
- Traditionally seasoned chicken thighs
- Grilled with tomatoes, onion, chiles, & pumpkin seeds
- Served with a side of corn tortilla
Dominican Republic
- Tostones and Salsa Rosada
- Twice-fried plantain chips
- Comes with salsa rosada for dipping
Drinks
Handcrafted Cocktails
- Caribbean Colada
- Dark rum with pineapple juice, blue Curaçao & coconut milk
- Garnished with fresh pineapple
- Moonshine Rum Punch
- Pitorro Parcha rum with banana liqueur, pineapple juice, grenadine, blackberry syrup & lime
- Garnished with Chamoy pineapple
- Mojito de Limonada
- White and spiced rums with Sprite, lemonade, lime juice & fresh mint
- Garnished with a fresh lemon
- Salted Melon Margarita
- Silver tequila with lime, watermelon, basil & pink sea salt
- Garnished with fresh watermelon
Mocktails
- Caribbean Colada
- Pineapple juice with lime, blueberry & coconut milk
- Garnished with fresh pineapple
- Pineapple Punch
- Pineapple juice with banana, lime, grenadine & blackberry
- Garnished with Chamoy pineapple
Other Drinks
- Assorted Latin Beers
Discount Tickets
Admission to Viva La Fiesta is included in admission to Carowinds theme park. Find out how to get a discounted Carowinds ticket here.