The 39th Annual Loisaida Festival IS ON Sunday before Memorial Day!

Sunday, May 24th ,2026

For nearly four decades, the Loisaida Festival has stood as one of the Lower East Side’s most cherished public traditions, bringing together residents, artists, families, merchants, community organizations, and visitors in a joyful celebration of the neighborhood’s enduring cultural life. In a community shaped by Nuyorican and immigrant histories, and one that continues to confront the pressures of displacement and cultural erasure, the Loisaida Festival remains a powerful affirmation of presence, memory, and collective pride. 

This year’s theme, “Our AmeRícan Thing,” reflects our commitment to celebrating Loisaida not only as a geographic place, but as a language, a rhythm, and a way of belonging carried through music, poetry, theater, food, and shared community experience. Inspired by the spirit of Jesús “Tato” Laviera, the theme seeks to honor the neighborhood not through nostalgia alone, but through renewed energy, hope, imagination, and the living future we continue to shape together. 

The 39th Annual Loisaida Festival, historically celebrated on the Sunday before Memorial Day, will take place on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, spanning Avenue C / Loisaida Avenue from East 12th Street to East 5th Street. 

The 39th annual commemorative poster art by Mateo Nazario.depicting lively illustrated scene of people dancing and listening to poetry at the Loisaida Festival on Avenue C- Loisaida Ave.
Art by Mateo Nazario.

As the Lower East Side’s largest Puerto Rican-heritage and Latinx neighborhood block party, the Festival will once again feature a rich, multidisciplinary program across several activations throughout its footprint.

Loisaida, Inc. continues to celebrate our Puerto Rican roots, Lower East Side immigrant contributions, Latiné and Caribbean heritage, through food, music, theater, art, and culture. The 39th annual commemorative poster art is by Mateo Nazario. Born in Guatemala and raised between their native Country and Puerto Rico. Nazario is currently a resident artist at the Loisaida Artist in Residence (L.A.I.R.) program.

Join us in this one-of-a-kind community celebration in the Lower East Side’s Loisaida neighborhood. 

Sponsorship Opportunities • Vendor Registration Form

Volunteer Registration Form • Parade Registration Form

HAPPENING AT LOISAIDA CENTER

About Us

Our History, Mission, Values and Goals

Loisaida, Inc. is a Puerto Rican multidisciplinary arts and culture community development organization founded in 1978.

The Loisaida Center provides space, mentorship, resources, and opportunities to emerging community leaders, artists, and creators working in diverse disciplines. We promote a vibrant social and community life and serve as community development incubator for self-sustainable projects and entrepreneurial initiatives at the intersections of culture, art, media and technology. 

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The Loisaida Center continues to highlight community-driven initiatives, activities and programs that foster cultural and artistic development for a multi-generational and multi-disciplinary audience. Please consider supporting our work.