The 23nd Annual HoLa Festival Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

at the World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn, Clinch Ave. and World’s Fair Park Dr.

Kick Off Party Saturday, September 16th, 4 pm – 10 pm

HoLa Family Festival Sunday, September 17th, 11 am – 6 pm

“This project [is being][was] supported in whole or in part by federal award number 21.027 awarded to Knox County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Arts & Culture Alliance.”

The 23nd HoLa Festival will be held at the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 16th and 17th 2023! The fun begins Saturday night at 4pm -10pm with a Fiesta Latina; live music, dancing, draft beer, home-cooked food, draft beer, and artisan craft vendors. The celebration continues Sunday afternoon from 11am to 6pm with more live music and performances, food, drinks, arts and crafts, our Parade of Nations, 21 educational Hispanic Heritage booths, children’s activities, and community resources. A $1 donation will be required by each person 12 years and up to enter the Festival. Current HoLa Hora Latina members enter FREE. Click here to learn more about membership at our organization.

Given the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, this event is subject to changes.

¡El Festival HoLa 2023 tendrá lugar el sábado y domingo 16 y 17 de Septiembre en el campo de presentaciones en el World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn! La celebración empieza el sábado con la Fiesta Latina de las 4pm hasta las 10pm con música en vivo, baile, cerveza de barril, comida, artesanías. Continuamos el domingo desde las 11am hasta las 6pm con más música, presentaciones de baile, comida casera, bebidas, artesanías, el Desfile de las Naciones Hispanas a las 2:45pm, 20+ casetas educativas sobre los países hispanos, actividades para niños y recursos comunitarios. Se requiere una donación de $1 por cada persona mayor de 12 años para entrar en el Festival. Los miembros actuales de HoLa Hora Latina entran GRATIS. Haga clic aquí para aprender más información sobre la membresía.

Debido a la incertidumbre acerca de la pandemia del COVID-19, este evento está sujeto a cambios.

Special thanks to our HoLa Festival 2022 Sponsor of the Year: Hipotecasa MIG!

El presetamista hopetacrio líder del sureste

Additional thanks to our on going HoLa Fesitval Suppoerters, The City of Knoxville, Knox County, The Arts and Culture Alliance, The TN Arts Commission, South Arts, NALAC, our Gold level sponsors, The Downtown Knoxville Alliance and Cherokee Distributing Company, Dos Equis, Miller Lite, our Silver level sponsors, Iglesia Prom esa De Fe, AARP Tennessee and Apex Bank, our Bronze level sponsors Visit Knoxville, The Allergy and Asthma Network, Cricket Wireless, The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Regions Bank and Intersport/US Cellular and our Supporting sponsors, La Líder-WKZX-93.5FM, WATE Channel 6, El Estilo de Knoxville, The cumberland House Hotel, Pepsi, The Knoxville Museum of Art, SITEL and All Occasions Party Rentals and the American Rescue Program by the US Department of the Treasury and Knox county amd the Arts and Culture Alliance.

What to Expect at the HoLa Festival

The 23nd HoLa Festival is returing to World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn during the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, Septembert 16h and 17th, 2023! A $1 donation will be required at entry to the Festival for those 12 years and older. The donation is not required for current members of our organization.

Membership includes two catered private events and invitations to all HoLa events at only $10 for students, $15 for individuals, $25 for a family of two, and $50 for a family of four.

Since 1999, HoLa Hora Latina has celebrated the rich and diverse cultures of Latin America by inviting the community to share in live music, dancing, food and drinks, craft vendors, and educational activities for children. The annual event takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – November 15th)

Local vendors offer handmade, artisan crafts, art, home décor, apparel, jewelry, and other unique items authentic to Hispanic cultures. Draft beer is available while food vendors serve up homemade Latin American cuisine. Visitors may enjoy various performances by Latin jazz, rock, salsa, and traditional bands and dancers. Children can learn more about Spain and Latin America at the Hispanic Heritage Booths or enjoy a fun and educational activity at the children’s stage nearby. The community fair and sponsor section provide important information and fun activities to our Knoxville community.

The HoLa Festival depends on sponsors and local, state, and federal government agencies to realize this celebration. Student volunteers, HoLa’s interns, the Board of Directors and our President, Pedro Tomás, work tirelessly to bring this celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to Knoxville and appreciate your attendance and support.

Getting there / Cómo llegar

Enter through the main gate via World’s Fair Park Drive, near the corner of Clinch Avenue and 11th Street (red star on parking map below).

Entren por la entrada principal por World’s Fair Park Drive, acerca de la esquina de Clinch Avenue y 11th Street (estrella roja en el mapa de parking abajo)

Directions to World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn

KAT Bus line 42 stops outside the Performance Lawn on Clinch Ave.

The Free Trolley’s Orange Line also makes a stop just oustide the Festival’s entrance

Parking is available at the following lots

FREE 11th Street Garage – next to the Festival (enter through non-UTPD entrance) 1 min walk – map
FREE World’s Fair Park North Lot – 5 min walk – map
FREE Fort Kid Lot- 6 min walk – map
FREE Locust Street Garage – 8 min walk – map
FREE Blackstock lot (connect to Grand Avenue/WFP North Lot by passing underneath the train tracks on the south side of the lot)- 10 min walk – map
Free on Sundays and metered Fort Sanders Street Parking – Be aware that parking in private lots in the Fort Sanders neighborhood will subject you to towing and fees, paid lots are available near the Fort Sanders Hospital Complex – 5-15 min walk
FREE Market Square Garage – 13 min walk – map
FREE State Street Gargage – 13 min walk – map
FREE Main Street Garage -11 min walk – map
FREE City and County Building Garage – 15 min walk – map
FREE Jackson Avenue Parking Lot 17 min walk – map

HoLa Festival FAQs/Preguntas Frecuentes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I buy food tickets? At 3 locations: Big HoLa info tent at center of festival, at the drinks tent between the main stage and food vendors, or United States Heritage table at the end of the heritage tables section closest to the main stage. 1 food ticket is equal to 1$. Food vendors cannot accept any other form of payment.

Where can I buy drinks? The HoLa tent at the center of the festival and the drinks tent between the main stage next and the food vendors sell cold, non-alcoholic beverages and wristbands and tickets for the purchase of beer. Wristbands are $1 and draft beer tickets (Modelo or Miller Lite) are $5 and purchase 1 beer.

Where can I find information on parking, a program of events, a map of the event, and the online survey? Online at: www.holahoralatina.org/hola-festival

Can I re-enter the Festival if I leave? Yes, be sure to keep your wristband on. You cannot use the same wristband on Sunday that you used on Saturday. Wristbands are valid only on the day of purchase.

Where are bathrooms located? Portable bathrooms will be located inside the Festival on the greenway on the East side of the lawn. Additionally, public restrooms are available across from the Festival entrance (outside of the Festival) next to the train tracks and on the other side of Clinch Avenue Bridge.

What are the kid’s activities? On Sunday, the Children’s Stage hosts a variety of educational and etertaining performances and shows just for kids on the East sidewalk near the entrance. The two booths near the craft vendors and heritage tables provide fun games and activities for kids, face painting, and more. On Sunday, children can “travel” through Spanish speaking countries at the Hispanic Heritage Section near the Children’s Stage and collect stamps in their own HoLa passport as they learn about the cultures and traditions of Hispanic and Latin American countries.

How else can we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this year? Enjoy the Frutos Latinos annual group exhibit and competition featuring 18 local and/or Latin American artists at the Knoxville Museum of Art next to the Festival (bottom floor), now through October 15th! Stop by the Casa HoLa Tienda at the Emporium for the Arts to shop artisan crafts handmade in Latin America. Follow the HoLa Hora Latina Facebook page to find more events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage.

Who designed the Festival Poster this year? Rebeca Ortiz, winner of HoLa Hora Latina’s student art scholarship and graphic design student at ETSU.

What is HoLa Hora Latina? A non-profit promoting Latin American arts and culture, unity in the community, and education through the HoLa Festival, the Casa HoLa Tienda shop of artisan crafts handmade in Latin American countries, monthly art exhibits and children’s activities at the Emporium for the Arts.

Preguntas Frequentes

¿Dónde puedo comprar boletos para comida? En 3 sitios: La gran carpa informativa de HoLa en el centro del Festival, en la carpa de bebidas entre los vendedores de comida y el escenario principal, o en la carpa de los Estados Unidos al final de la fila de mesas de herencia, acerca del escenario principal. 1 boleto es igual a $1. Los vendedores de comida no pueden aceptar caulquier otra forma de pago.

¿Dónde puedo comprar bebidas? En la gran carpa informativa de HoLa en el centro del Festival y en la carpa de bebidas entre los vendedores de comida y el escenario principal se venden bebidas no alcohólicas y pulseras y boletos para la compra de cerveza. Las pulseras son $1 y boletos para cerveza de barril (Modelo o Miller Lite) son $5 y compran una cerveza.

¿Dónde puedo encontrar información sobre parking/estacionamiento, el horario de eventos, el mapa del Festival y las encuestas? En línea en www.holahoralatina.org/hola-festival

¿Puedo entrar otra vez en el Festival si salgo? Sí, pero hay que quedarse con su pulsera. No se puede usar la misma pulsera que se usó el sábado para entrar en el evento el domingo. Las pulseras sólo son válidas en el día en que se la compró.

¿Dónde están los baños? Hay baños químicos dentro del Festival en la acera al este del césped. Además, hay baños públicos en frente de la entrada del Festival (a fuera del Festival), al lado de las vías del trén y al otro lado del puente de Clinch Avenue.

¿Dónde se ofrecen las actividades para niños? El domingo, el escenario para niños presenta espectáculos educativos y entretenamiento sólo para niños en la acera del este del parque acerca de la entrada. Dos quioscos cercanos ofrecen juegos y actividades para niños, pinturas de caras, y más. El domingo, los niños pueden “viajar” por los países hispanohablantes por visitar a cada mesa y coleccionar sellos/estampillas en sus propios pasaportes de HoLa mientras aprenden sobre las culturas y tradiciones de los países hispanos y latinos.

¿Cómo podemos celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana este año? ¡Disfruten de la exhibición colectiva y el concurso anual Frutos Latinos presentando los trabajos de 18 artistas locales y/o latinos en el Museo de Arte de Knoxville al lado del Festival (en la planta baja), ahora hasta el 15 de octubre! Pasen por la Tienda de Artesanía Casa HoLa dentro del edificio Emporium for the Arts para encontrar artesanías hechas a mano por toda América Latina. Sigan la página de Facebook de HoLa Hora Latina para encontrar otros eventos celebrando la Hispanidad.

¿Quién diseño el póster para el Festival este año? Lo diseño Rebeca Ortiza, ganadora del concurso y la beca artística de HoLa Hora Latina y una estudiante del diseño gráfico en ETSU.

¿Qué es HoLa Hora Latina? Una organización sin fines de lucro que promociona las artes y culturas latinas, la unidad comunitaria, y la educación a través del Festival HoLa, la galería y tienda de artesanías Casa HoLa, aperturas de arte mensuales presentado a artistas latinos y locales, y actividades educativas para niños en el Emporium for the Arts.

Special thanks to our HoLa Festival 2021 Sponsor of the Year: Hipotecasa MIG!

El presetamista hopetacrio líder del sureste

Please check out a great video and photos from the past HoLa Festival.

Sponsorship

Craft Vendors/ Vendedores de Artesanías

Food Vendors/ Vendedores de Comida

Community Fair

Parade of Nations

Volunteer

The Friday night Kick Off Party begins at 4 pm. Enjoy homemade Latin cuisine and browse crafts, clothing, jewelry, and more from Latin American artists.

El viernes, la Fiesta Latina comienza a las 4 pm. Disfruta de comida latina casera y mira por artesanías, ropa, joyas y mucho más hechos por artistas Latinos.

Listen and dance to live Latin music as the sun sets over Downtown Knoxville. Cool off with imported draft beer.

Escucha y baila a la música latina mientras se pone el sol sobre Downtown Knoxville. Refréscate con una cerveza importada.

Please click on the arrow for a virtual music gift from Jimmy Bonilla and his Orchestra

Por favor haga click en la flecha par recibir un regalo virtual musical de Jimmy Bonilla y su Orquesta

"Lograré mis sueños" by Jimmy Bonilla and his Orchestra

Enjoy the fireworks show at 9 pm as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month into the night.

Disfruta de los fuegos artificiales a las 9 pm mientras celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana hasta bien entrada la madrugada.

Join us again on Sunday at 11 am for more fun, crafts, food, drinks, dancing, and live music. Enjoy performances by a variety of music acts and dancers all day long. Kids activities, the Parade of Nations, and the Community Fair with local non-profit organizations Sunday only.

Únete con nosotros de nuevo el domingo a las 11 am para más diversión, comida, bebidas, artesanías, baile y música en vivo. Disfruta de presentaciones por una variedad de músicos y bailarines a lo largo del día. Actividades para niños, el Desfile de las Naciones, la Feria Comunitaria con organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro están disponibles sólo el domingo

Don’t forget that the HoLa Festival offers educational programming for children with performances at the Heritage Stage and 20+ booths representing Hispanic countries where kids can “travel” through each country and learn about Hispanic cultures.

Recuerdes que el Festival HoLa ofrece programas educativos para niños con presentaciones en el Escenario de Herencia y 20+ quioscos representando países hispanos donde los niños pueden “viajar” por todos los países para aprendar sobre las culturas hispanas.

Share your favorite HoLa Festival memories with us on social media: Tag us on Facebook and Instagram @HoLaHoraLatina and on Twitter @CasaHoLa.

Compartes tus recuerdos favoritos del Festival HoLa con nosotros por nuestras redes sociales: Etiquétennos en Facebook e Instagram @HoLaHoraLatina y en Twitter @CasaHoLa.

Photos by Ashley Shelton Photography

Many thanks to our HoLa Festival 2021 sponsors. This celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month would not be possible without your very generous support. We are so grateful that you join us to celebrate and share the beauty and diversity of Hispanic and Latin American cultures with our East Tennessee communities.

Muchas gracias a los patrocinadores del Festival HoLa 2021. La celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana no habría sido posible sin su apoyo generoso. Agradecemos mucho que se unan con nosotros para celebrar y compartir la belleza y diversidad de las culturas hispanas y latinas con las comunidades del Este de Tennessee.