When Cali, Colombia’s salsa capital, meets New York City, the birthplace of salsa as a genre, something historic happens on the dance floor. That collision arrives in Queens this weekend as the Salsa Caleña USA Festival returns for its second edition at Flushing Town Hall, May 30 and 31, 2026.
2nd Salsa Caleña USA Festival 2026
Colombian Salsa master classes, showcases, dance parties
Flushing Town Hall
Flushing, Queens
Sat-Sun, May 30-31
Full Pass $81+ (2 for 1)
Workshops and Competitions
Sat, May 30
9am Workshops | $23+
3pm Youth Dance Competition, Showcase, Celiz Cruz tribute | $55
Agua’e Lulo Social
Typical Caleño all-ages dance party with local food vendors
Flushing Town Hall in Flushing, Queens
Sun, May 31 | 5-10pm
$17+ (2 for 1)
2nd Salsa Caleña USA Festival 2026
Saturday is the main event — workshops, live shows, and nonstop social dancing. Top instructors lead five master classes covering Ladies Style, Salsa Caleña, Partnerwork, Footwork, and a special touch of Pachanga and Boogaloo. The evening lights up with live performances, a special tribute to Celia Cruz, and DJ sets from dedicated salsero melómanos who will not let you stop moving. Kids ages 4 to 12 also take the floor in their own showcase — proof that the Cali tradition is already passing to the next generation in New York.
Sunday brings an evening social dance session to close out the weekend the caleño way, with Latin food and good vibes throughout.
Agua de Lulo parties are a Caleño tradition from the 1960s. They are non-alcoholic, very social, and end early so all ages can attend. Lulo (Naranjilla or Little Orange) is a Colombian tropical fruit used to make a fruit punch.
Opening Salsa Boat Party
The official opening of the festival weekend is actually Friday, May 29 — the NYC Sunset Salsa Boat Cruise departing from Skyport Marina (2430 FDR Drive, Manhattan) at 7 PM, with boarding from 6:30 PM. Salsa World Champions perform on deck as the city skyline glows at golden hour. It’s a fun cruise because New York Harbor is the backdrop. It’s a selfie night.
NYC Salsa Sunset Boat Party
Salsa Caleña USA Festival Opening Party
Skyport Marina, Kips Bay
Fri, May 29 | 7-10pm, board at 6:30pm
$49+
vivelasalsatours.com
Get Tickets
This is a rental event, so it is not listed on Flushing Town Hall’s website.