Cancun, Quintana Roo — The Benito Juarez city council has announced the second edition of the free urban festival “La Calle y Su Cultura,” set for Aug. 21 at Parque de las Palapas, with organizers expecting more than 5,000 attendees, mostly young people.
Agustin Hernandez Salazar, director of the Municipal Youth Institute (IMJUVE), said the event is part of Youth Month activities leading up to International Youth Day on Aug. 12. The festival aims to showcase urban talent and provide artistic expression spaces for the city’s youth.
“Last year we had around 4,500 people and this year we hope to exceed that figure. It’s a completely free event for young people and we are very pleased to bring together local talent with national and international artists on the same stage,” Hernandez said.
A highlight will be a freestyle battle featuring 15 local competitors vying for a 20,000-peso prize and the chance to face off against renowned freestylers Azuky and Jony Beltran in an exhibition match.
Special guest RC “El Profe,” considered one of Mexico’s top freestyle exponents, will participate from the early rounds, giving local competitors the opportunity to measure themselves against an internationally recognized figure.
Hernandez stressed that the festival recognizes freestyle and urban culture as legitimate forms of artistic expression and development for new generations.
To ensure a safe event, the city will coordinate with the Public Security Department, Civil Protection, Firefighters, and the Institute of Culture and the Arts for security and logistics.
Carlos Novelo “Triple 777,” an influencer and festival organizer, said the event aims to change perceptions about freestyle battles by demonstrating they can promote values such as personal growth, creativity, and mental health. Unlike other competitions, the battles will have clear rules prohibiting misogyny, discrimination, racism, or hate speech.
“The main theme is self-improvement. Participants have to improvise on concepts like mental health or personal growth. It’s not about cursing or insulting, but about demonstrating ability, intelligence, and creativity,” Novelo said.
He added that the festival provides a platform for local talent, as selected young performers will share the stage with nationally recognized artists, potentially opening doors for exposure beyond Cancun.
