LATIN FESTIVAL THUN - A FESTIVAL OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND JOIE DE VIVRE
Introduction
The Latin Festival Thun is more than just a music and dance festival - it is a celebration of cultures, emotions, togetherness and joie de vivre. In the middle of the picturesque old town of Thun, on Waisenhausplatz, a place is created where Latin American rhythms, culinary delights, art and encounters come together. People of all ages and countries of origin come together to celebrate, dance and experience the diversity of Latin America.
Idea & Objective
The basic idea of the festival is to make the rich and diverse culture of Latin America accessible to a wide audience in Switzerland. The focus is on encounters, exchange and cultural integration. The festival aims to create a positive, unifying experience - through music, dance, cuisine and community. There should be space for discovery, amazement, laughter, dancing, but also for dialog, new perspectives and peaceful coexistence.
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Festival dates & location
Date: Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21, 2025
Venue: Waisenhausplatz Thun
Opening hours:
Thursday: 18:30 - 24:00
Friday: 18:30 - 01:00
Saturday: set-up from 14:00, program from 18:00 - 01:00
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Program overview
Music & Dance
Live concerts, dance shows and DJ sets form the heart of the festival. Various musical styles such as salsa, bachata, reggaeton, cumbia, merengue, Latin pop, Afro-Latin and traditional folklore will get visitors dancing. Renowned artists from Latin America and Switzerland perform, accompanied by local dance groups who offer workshops and hands-on activities.
Culinary delights
Food stalls from various Latin American countries offer specialties such as empanadas, arepas, tacos, tamales, ceviche, churros and Brazilian barbecue. There are also exotic cocktails, fruit juices and coffee specialties. The culinary offerings are authentic, diverse and run by migrants or cultural associations from the region.
Art & market
A small market area offers handicrafts, fashion, jewelry, accessories and products from various Latin American countries. There is also an art corner with live painting, installations and photo exhibitions on topics such as migration, identity and diversity.
Children & family
A family area with games, face painting, music and dance workshops and a reading corner will ensure that even the youngest visitors have an unforgettable experience. The aim is to make the festival an intergenerational event.
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Sustainability & responsibility
The festival attaches great importance to sustainability, cleanliness and social responsibility. This includes:
Reusable cup system & waste separation
Regional suppliers and social partnerships
Inclusion: accessibility, multilingualism, respectful interaction
Security concept: cooperation with local authorities, security service, awareness team
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Significance for the city of Thun
The Latin Festival Thun actively contributes to the cultural diversity and attractiveness of the city. It brings life to the city center, promotes tourism, stimulates the local economy and sends a strong signal for openness and integration. It strengthens the visibility of Latin American communities and creates new platforms for exchange and cooperation - both socially and culturally.
---
Organization & Team
Behind the festival is a motivated team of cultural professionals, activists, technicians and volunteers with roots in Latin America and Switzerland. The organization is carried out in collaboration with local associations, artists, restaurateurs, institutions and sponsors. The festival is not profit-oriented, but is based on a solidary and participatory model.
---
Vision
Our vision is to make the Latin Festival Thun a recurring, nationally recognized cultural event. A place where bridges are built, prejudices are broken down and new friendships are forged. A place where music, dance, food and community take center stage - regardless of origin, age or language.
---
Closing words
The Latin Festival Thun is a gift to the city - a colorful, powerful symbol of living diversity and joie de vivre. We cordially invite everyone to be part of this special moment and to celebrate together: with heart, respect and open arms.
¡Bienvenidos a Thun - Viva la Cultura Latina!
Thursday, June 19, 2025:
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m:
22:00 to 24:00: Background music
Friday, June 20, 2025:
18:30 to 23:00
23:00 to 01:00 (Saturday): Background music
01:00 am to 02:00 am: No music, but stay on the square
Saturday, June 21, 2025 (after the Fête de la Musique):
From 14:00: Set-up of sound and event technology
18:00 to 23:00: Concerts and music program
23:00 to 01:00 (Sunday): Groove / background music
Introduction
The Latin Festival Thun is more than just a music and dance festival - it is a celebration of cultures, emotions, togetherness and joie de vivre. In the middle of the picturesque old town of Thun, on Waisenhausplatz, a place is created where Latin American rhythms, culinary delights, art and encounters come together. People of all ages and countries of origin come together to celebrate, dance and experience the diversity of Latin America.
Idea & Objective
The basic idea of the festival is to make the rich and diverse culture of Latin America accessible to a wide audience in Switzerland. The focus is on encounters, exchange and cultural integration. The festival aims to create a positive, unifying experience - through music, dance, cuisine and community. There should be space for discovery, amazement, laughter, dancing, but also for dialog, new perspectives and peaceful coexistence.
---
Festival dates & location
Date: Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21, 2025
Venue: Waisenhausplatz Thun
Opening hours:
Thursday: 18:30 - 24:00
Friday: 18:30 - 01:00
Saturday: set-up from 14:00, program from 18:00 - 01:00
---
Program overview
Music & Dance
Live concerts, dance shows and DJ sets form the heart of the festival. Various musical styles such as salsa, bachata, reggaeton, cumbia, merengue, Latin pop, Afro-Latin and traditional folklore will get visitors dancing. Renowned artists from Latin America and Switzerland perform, accompanied by local dance groups who offer workshops and hands-on activities.
Culinary delights
Food stalls from various Latin American countries offer specialties such as empanadas, arepas, tacos, tamales, ceviche, churros and Brazilian barbecue. There are also exotic cocktails, fruit juices and coffee specialties. The culinary offerings are authentic, diverse and run by migrants or cultural associations from the region.
Art & market
A small market area offers handicrafts, fashion, jewelry, accessories and products from various Latin American countries. There is also an art corner with live painting, installations and photo exhibitions on topics such as migration, identity and diversity.
Children & family
A family area with games, face painting, music and dance workshops and a reading corner will ensure that even the youngest visitors have an unforgettable experience. The aim is to make the festival an intergenerational event.
---
Sustainability & responsibility
The festival attaches great importance to sustainability, cleanliness and social responsibility. This includes:
Reusable cup system & waste separation
Regional suppliers and social partnerships
Inclusion: accessibility, multilingualism, respectful interaction
Security concept: cooperation with local authorities, security service, awareness team
---
Significance for the city of Thun
The Latin Festival Thun actively contributes to the cultural diversity and attractiveness of the city. It brings life to the city center, promotes tourism, stimulates the local economy and sends a strong signal for openness and integration. It strengthens the visibility of Latin American communities and creates new platforms for exchange and cooperation - both socially and culturally.
---
Organization & Team
Behind the festival is a motivated team of cultural professionals, activists, technicians and volunteers with roots in Latin America and Switzerland. The organization is carried out in collaboration with local associations, artists, restaurateurs, institutions and sponsors. The festival is not profit-oriented, but is based on a solidary and participatory model.
---
Vision
Our vision is to make the Latin Festival Thun a recurring, nationally recognized cultural event. A place where bridges are built, prejudices are broken down and new friendships are forged. A place where music, dance, food and community take center stage - regardless of origin, age or language.
---
Closing words
The Latin Festival Thun is a gift to the city - a colorful, powerful symbol of living diversity and joie de vivre. We cordially invite everyone to be part of this special moment and to celebrate together: with heart, respect and open arms.
¡Bienvenidos a Thun - Viva la Cultura Latina!
Thursday, June 19, 2025:
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m:
22:00 to 24:00: Background music
Friday, June 20, 2025:
18:30 to 23:00
23:00 to 01:00 (Saturday): Background music
01:00 am to 02:00 am: No music, but stay on the square
Saturday, June 21, 2025 (after the Fête de la Musique):
From 14:00: Set-up of sound and event technology
18:00 to 23:00: Concerts and music program
23:00 to 01:00 (Sunday): Groove / background music
Dates
Thursday, the 19.06.2025
18:30 - 22:00 o'clock
Friday, the 20.06.2025
18:30 - 22:00 o'clock
Saturday, the 21.06.2025
18:30 - 22:00 o'clock
Good to know
Price info
Free admission / collection
Contact person
Nearby
