House of Music

Don’t Fall in Love Fest

NOS Center

San Bernardino, CA

November 22nd, 2025

Photos and Review by Jose Escobar

The second edition of Don’t Fall In Love Fest proved to be more than just a sequel, it was a celebration, a statement, and in many ways a next-level moment in the cross genre of spanish and hip-hop/rap. Curated by JOP (Jesús Ortiz Paz of Fuerza Regida), the festival leaned into its mission of cultural unity and largely succeeded.

From the moment you walked into the NOS Events Center, you could feel the ambition. Two full-production stages gave the festival an energy and scale that elevated it far beyond a typical one-day event. There were plenty of food vendors with mixed flavors that would fill anything you craved. Additionally, a ferris wheel and a swing kept the fans entertained and thrilled.

Crowds were diverse and deeply invested. Fans of regional Mexican corridos rubbed shoulders with hip-hop heads, and by the evening the crowd felt like a combination of two worlds.

The festival kicked off with Lil’ Rob at the Cherry Manifest Stage. He showed the fans what was to come that day. Later on Snow Tha Product goes on the CMN Stage with plenty of energy and even a cake that was thrown to some excited fans.

Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Banda MS represented the regional Mexican side with emotional depth and music classics. Their presence showed that this wasn’t a token Latin set, they were central to the festival’s spirit.

Blueface was added as a last minute artist to the festival. This was his first performance in 2 years and he definitely made sure everyone had a good time. Playing some of the fan favorites made the crowd jump.

Future brought his full energy, dropping club ready bangers that got the crowd hyped. His performance was jaw dropping, and he balanced newer tracks with the classics, creating a bridge between rap’s mainstream and the fest’s cultural core. Crazy flames shooting on the stage created an amazing performance.

By the end Fuerza Regida arrived on stage with their signature presence. Their set felt personal and rooted. JOP wasn’t just curating, he was home, and that energy played out on stage.

Don’t Fall In Love Fest 2025 wasn’t just a music festival, it was a cultural milestone. It showed that spanish and rap can coexist in a way that respects both traditions and pushes forward. JOP and his team didn’t just double down on their vision, they expanded it, turning San Bernardino into a hub for unity, sound, and social purpose.

If this year is any indicator, it’s that the fest has serious staying power. It’s not just for fans of corridos or trap, it’s for anyone who believes in the power of music to build bridges.