Huntsville, September 21, 2025

News Summary

The Cultura Festival returns to Huntsville, offering a day of food, music, and community engagement in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Set for September 21 at Orion Amphitheater, this free event promises diverse culinary offerings, vibrant performances, and a dedicated health and wellness village. The festival aims to foster community understanding and embrace the rich Hispanic culture, featuring popular dishes and local vendors. With growing attendance, this year’s festival marks an important milestone in promoting unity and diversity within the Huntsville community.

Cultura Festival Returns to Huntsville for a Celebration of Hispanic Heritage

The Cultura Festival is set to take place in Huntsville on Sunday, September 21, from noon to 7 p.m. This year marks the festival’s fourth anniversary, promising an exciting day filled with food, music, and community engagement, all aimed at celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival is free to attend and will be hosted at the Orion Amphitheater, an open-air venue that has become a staple of community events since its opening.

Originally launched in 2022 by Melissa Rodriguez, the Cultura Festival was created to foster community understanding in Huntsville and provide a platform for celebrating Hispanic culture. Attendance has significantly increased since its inception, growing from an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 attendees in its first year to about 5,000 participants last year.

Diverse Culinary Offerings

Attendees can expect to indulge in a variety of Hispanic cuisines during the festival. Notable offerings will include:

• Nicaraguan: Nicas Grille & Café, Heartbaker Bakery
• Venezuelan: Arepa Lovers food truck
• Puerto Rican: Barretos Outdoor Kitchen
• Guatemalan: Guatemalan Kitchen
• Honduran: Catrachas food truck
• Mexican: Tacos Pow Wow, Pinguinos Hermanos Raspados

First-time attendees are encouraged to try popular dishes such as nacatamales (large tamales from Honduras), arepas (crispy corn cakes from Venezuela), and mofongo (a Puerto Rican dish made from mashed fried green plantains).

Musical Performances and Entertainment

The Cultura Festival will feature a vibrant music lineup, including genres like salsa and merengue. The festival’s entertainment will include performances by local folkloric dance team Alma Latina and live music from Sensacion Vallenata, a Colombian group known for their cumbia music. DJ Dame Luz is also scheduled to perform three sets throughout the day.

A marketplace will showcase local vendors with Hispanic-themed artwork, clothing, and handcrafted items, highlighting the creativity and diversity of Hispanic culture.

Health and Wellness Village

This year, Cultura Festival is collaborating with Huntsville Hospital to create a “health and wellness village,” where attendees can receive health education and services, providing valuable resources for the community.

Festival Vision and Future Plans

While Cultura Festival focuses on celebration rather than immigration topics, it exemplifies the diversity and unity of the Huntsville community. Melissa Rodriguez, who has lived in Huntsville for about ten years, aims to share the diverse Hispanic culture she grew up with in Miami. The festival remains nonpartisan and emphasizes community engagement.

Furthermore, the festival plans to host the EZ Band from Houston in 2025 as a headliner, blending Tex-Mex music with performances in both English and Spanish.

The Orion Amphitheater, renowned for hosting various artists, has integrated community events like the Cultura Festival into its identity, making it a significant area for enriching community experiences.

Key Festival Details

• Date: Sunday, September 21
• Time: Noon to 7 p.m.
• Location: Orion Amphitheater, Huntsville
• Admission: Free

Frequently Asked Questions

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Key Features of Cultura Festival

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Additional Resources

• AL.com
• Wikipedia: Hispanic Heritage Month
• WAFF 48 News
• Google Search: Cultura Festival Huntsville
• Montgomery Advertiser
• Google Scholar: Hispanic Heritage events
• Axios Huntsville
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Culture
• Hville Blast
• Google News: Cultura Festival

Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER

The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.