2025 Texas BIG Salsa & Bachata Latin Fest

Tad Graves
Jul 29
3 min read

The BIG Texas Salsa & Bachata Latin Dance Festival is a high‑energy, four‑day Latin dance extravaganza held over Labor Day weekend in Dallas, Texas—typically from late August through September 1—at the Hilton Anatole Resort (BIG Salsa Festival).

🎉 What to Expect

Large‑scale venue: Hotel resort with ballrooms, two gyms, indoor/outdoor pools, and a lazy river—perfect for daytime pool parties and dance socials (BIG Salsa Festival).
Four full days of programming: Workshops, master classes, showcases, and social dancing that often extends to 4 AM (Reddit).
Multiple dance rooms: Including dedicated salsa and bachata areas, beginner boot camps, challenges (e.g. smoothest social dancer), and Master Classes for all ability levels (AllEvents).
International lineup of artists: Past featured instructors include Marco & Sara, Yamulee Dance Company, Ángel & Stephany, MG Dance Company, and many more from across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America (AllEvents).

📅 Dates & Pricing

Dates: Labor Day weekend, e.g. August 29–September 1 in 2025 (AllEvents).
Ticket types: Various options including Friday/Saturday/Sunday night passes, all‑day passes, full-weekend, VIP upgrades, and specialty challenge entries. Pricing typically starts around $45–$200 depending on pass type and timing (AllEvents, Eventbrite).
Hotel packages: Discounted rates available at the Hilton Anatole and partner resorts—booking through the event ensures you stay within the hub of activity and make the most of the amenities (BIG Salsa Festival).

🕺 Who It’s For

Dance proficiency levels: Everything from absolute beginners to advanced dancers seeking professional-level training and performance opportunities.
Styles offered: Primarily salsa and bachata, especially focused rooms and social spaces for each—plus master classes, performance bootcamps, and extra events like pool parties and challenges (AllEvents).

✅ Why It’s Popular

Big production value: Resorts, multiple venues, themed parties, live performances, and extended hours create a festival-like vibe.
Highly social: Ideal for dancers looking to network, connect, and dance through the night with a large, diverse crowd.
Challenging & fun: Competitions, showcases, and “challenge” events like the smoothest social dancer add flair and engagement.

🔍 Comparison to Other Events

Unlike Texas Salsa Congress (a nonprofit Houston festival in March with a community and education focus), BIG Texas is a commercial, high‑production festival at a resort venue in Dallas (BIG Salsa Festival).
Offers a bigger resort setting, international entertainment lineup, and large scale social programming—whereas Congress events are more grassroots‑oriented with free community outreach programming.

🗣 Community Insight

As noted by Dallas salsa dancers online:

“This Labor Day weekend will be Texas BIG Salsa Festival (which has been in Houston the past couple of years)” (Reddit).While still growing in size, it has quickly become a fixture in DFW’s dance scene for holiday weekend events.

📋 Summary Table

Feature	BIG Texas Festival (Dallas)
Timing	Labor Day Weekend (late Aug–Sept)
Venue	Hilton Anatole Resort (resort setting)
Duration	4 days, with daily late-night socials
Dance Focus	Salsa and Bachata, multiple rooms
Workshops & Shows	Instructional, performance, and challenge events
Artist Lineup	International dance stars & local talent
Ticket Options	Night, day, full, VIP passes
Vibe	High-energy, large scale, social & festive
Fit For	Beginners through advanced, social dancers