Global Beats and Bites to bring international cuisine and culture to a new audience

THE Global Beats and Bites Ballina Street Food Festival will bring a vibrant celebration of culture, music and cuisine, while transforming Fawcett Park into a multicultural hub of performances.

The free event will showcase cultural diversity, with organisers aiming to create an immersive community experience that reflects traditions from around the world.

It is organised by Byron Multicultural Inc. with support from Ballina Shire Council and delivered in partnership with Only Good Times Event Co.

The festival marks a major expansion after five successful years in Byron Bay.

Organisers said the festival is designed to strengthen social cohesion, support youth participation and deliver a more inclusive cultural experience for the community. The move to Ballina enables a larger event footprint, improved audience access with reduced parking and traffic pressures, and stronger regional engagement across the region.

Event organiser Mayu Akiba said the change will allow the festival to reach new communities while maintaining its established audience.

"It's a great opportunity for us to grow the event and we're very excited," she said.

"It's like having two festivals in one, with the food focus during the day, before it becomes more about the performers in the evening."

The site will feature food and cultural market stalls, alongside a dedicated performance stage, drum circle area, parade music zone and a licensed bar operated by Wharf Bar & Restaurant.

Stallholders will include Brazilian, Indian and Japanese cuisine alongside a wide range of international flavours.

Entertainment will include Japanese drumming led by Byron Taiko, alongside special guest Kaoly Asano from the acclaimed Tokyo-based troupe Gocoo.

The program will also feature African djembe drumming with Elliott Orr's Zormiwasa ensemble, Brazilian folk music, Cuban son, Egyptian belly dancing and classical Chinese string fusion, among a broader lineup of global cultural performances.