Knoxville Haiti Festival runs 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Immaculate Conception Church with Konpa and merengue lessons. Proceeds go to a sister parish in Haiti.

A Haitian dance party with lessons for beginners comes to downtown Knoxville on Sunday, Nov. 15. The Knoxville Haiti Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church Parish Hall at 414 W. Vine Ave., and the money raised goes to the church’s sister parish in Fond des Blancs, Haiti.

SalsaKnox Dance Company is putting on the afternoon, and its instructors Waldo y Jacqui will teach the first hour. The company describes the day on its festival page as a chance to “dance, enjoy Haitian flavors, and celebrate an afternoon together.”

Lessons first, then the dance floor

Doors open at 4 p.m. The schedule SalsaKnox published runs like this:

  • 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.: a Konpa lesson with Waldo y Jacqui.
  • 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.: a merengue lesson.
  • 5:15 p.m.: a short dance demonstration.
  • 5:17 to 7 p.m.: social dancing to a DJ.

“Bring your friends and join Waldo y Jacqui for Konpa and merengue classes, a dance demonstration, and DJ-led social dancing,” the festival page says. “Come for the Haitian culture and stay for the connection.”

SalsaKnox says schedule updates will be shared as the festival gets closer.

Knoxville Haiti Festival 2026 schedule for Sunday, Nov. 15 at Immaculate Conception Church Parish Hall, 414 W. Vine Ave.: doors open 4 p.m. with food and drinks for sale; Konpa lesson with Waldo y Jacqui 4:15 p.m.; merengue lesson 4:45 p.m.; dance demonstration 5:15 p.m.; DJ and social dancing 5:17 to 7 p.m. Admission $20 for one person, $40 for two, $60 for a family. Proceeds go to the church's sister parish in Fond des Blancs, Haiti.
The festival schedule and admission prices. Graphic by Knoxville Local
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Food, tickets and where to go

Admission is $20 for one person, $40 for a party of two and $60 for a family. Tickets are sold through the festival page, which asks for a name, email and phone number before passing buyers on to the ticket form. The marketing email and text sign-ups on that form are optional, and the page says consent is not required to buy tickets.

Food and drinks are not included in the ticket. SalsaKnox says catered Haitian food and drinks will be sold from a menu from the time doors open.

The festival is at the church, not at the SalsaKnox studio, a point the organizers make on their own page.

What it means for you

  • When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 to 7 p.m. Come by 4:15 p.m. to catch the Konpa lesson from the start.
  • Where: Immaculate Conception Church Parish Hall, 414 W. Vine Ave., Knoxville, TN 37902.
  • Cost: $20 one person, $40 for two, $60 for a family. Food and drinks cost extra.
  • No experience needed: the lessons come before the social dancing, so newcomers can learn the steps first.
  • Questions: SalsaKnox takes questions about food, parking and accessibility by call or text at 865-455-3658.

For more to do this fall, see our things to do in Knoxville guide.