Summer Latin Festivals Around the Country

It’s official: summer is in full swing! Instead of heading to the beach, trade in your shades for a flag, and celebrate your Latin pride. Enjoy food, live music, and tons of Latin culture at one of many Latin festivals this summer. Here’s the skinny; mark your calendars and enjoy the celebrations!

NEW YORK

111th Street Salsa Street Party and Old Timer’s Stickball Game

When: July 14. 1 – 6 PM

Where: West 111th Street between 5th and Lenox Avenues.  Spanish Harlem, NYC

The 44th annual free outdoor street fair in Spanish Harlem is back! Get ready to dance to classic salsa, cha cha, bachata, and merengue in a large schoolyard equipped with a stage and sound system. Your DJ for the evening is long-time salsa DJ Efram, who will introduce a number of bands and performers as the party progresses. For those who plan on dancing, wear shoes that are smooth and slippery, or just stick with sneakers, as the dance floor is pavement. If you want to get a head start on the day’s festivities, sign up for a stickball game, which usually runs until noon. Don’t worry about getting hungry; tables upon tables of traditional treats cooked by locals await.

NY Colombian Parade

When: July 21

Where: Northern Blvd. Queens, NY

Decked out in red, blue and yellow, New York’s Colombian community in Jackson Heights joins together to celebrate their country’s independence on July 21st. The parade attracts over 75,000 spectators, who line the streets from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm and then head over to the festival off Northern Blvd., from through 7 PM. Spend the day dancing to the sounds of Cumbia, Vallanto, and Salsa, while immersing yourself in the history, foods and smells of Colombian culture. 

2nd Peru to the World Expo 2013

When: July 13-14

Where: Altman Building, NYC.

If you have yet to experience the beauty and culture of Peru, now’s your chance! Head over to the Altman Building for a taste of Peru featuring live cooking demonstrations by top Peruvian chefs, delicious Peruvian food and beverage products, a fashion show, a cocktail competition, live music, dancing and more. The Expo will also be celebrating the International Year of the Quinoa. Guests may purchase tickets online for $25, or at the door for $30. Those who wish to attend the dance party can purchase tickets online for $35, or at the door for $40.

Next up, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania…

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CONNECTICUT

1st Norwalk Multicultural Festival

When: July 21. 9 AM – 8 PM

Where: Veteran’s Park.  Norwalk, CT

The Colombian American Family Entertainment (C.A.F.E) presents the 1st Multicultural Festival in Norwalk, Connecticut, honoring Colombian Independence Day. Take part in traditions, exhibitions, rides, food, dancing and of course, musical concerts to celebrate the country’s rich diversity. DJ D-Roy, Zach Matari, and Ruina Nueva are scheduled to perform. Since one of C.A.F.E’s main goals is to integrate physical fitness into children’s daily routines, kids associated with the organization have been encouraged to participate in various soccer tournaments. The final game will be a part of the festivities.

MASSACHUSETTS

Worcester Latin American Festival

When: August 17. 12 Noon – 9 PM

Where: Sycamore Street. Worcester, MA

Live Latin music, delicious food and a beer garden are only a few of the fun activities at the Worcester Latin American Festival. Presented by Centro Las Americas, this year’s festival’s art sponsor is the Children’s Tent, at The Worcester Art Museum. Children can enjoy face painting and arts and crafts traditional to Latin America, while adults enjoy a variety of beers, authentic food and catchy Latin music.

PENNSYLVANIA

Hispanic Fiesta

When: July 13-14.  2 – 8 PM

Where: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Philadelphia, PA

The PECO Multicultural Series celebrates its 15th year at Penn’s Landing, and the Hispanic Fiesta, one of PECO’s annual events, attracts more than 15,000 people in the hopes of raising awareness for Latin culture and its community. Guests can dance to traditional Latin music, performed by Merengue sensation Tony Tun Tun and Salsa favorite Tony Vega. Enjoy ethnic foods and local crafts from a large variety of Latin American countries, without ever leaving Philadelphia!

Next up, Chicago, Columbus, and St. Louis…

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ILLINOIS

Salsa at The Zoo

When: July 25, August 29, and September 26. 6–9 PM.

Where: Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago, IL

Presented by MyHabanero.com, Salsa at The Zoo is your chance to dance to live music beneath the stars. The event is held on the rooftop café and features performances by Latin dance bands and group instruction by leading salsa dance instructors. The upcoming July 25 performance features music from Son de la Habana and dance lessons by Lisa “La Boriqua” from Latin Street Dancing. Kick off your dancing shoes and enjoy beer, wine, sangria and other refreshments available for purchase. Tickets are $20 per person, non-refundable, and can be reserved online.

OHIO

Festival Latino

When: August 10-11. 11 AM – 8 PM

Where: Genoa Park. Columbus, OH

Known as the largest Hispanic event in Ohio, Festival Latino provides the opportunity for those to experience and learn about Latin culture through authentic cuisine, informative lectures and musical performances. This event is free and heavily focused on family and traditions in the Latin community. Munch on Peruvian, Colombian, and Mexican food. Head over to the Dance Plaza, or take the kids to the Children’s Area. Make sure to bring blankets for lawn seating, as chairs, tents, pets, and coolers are not permitted. 

MISSOURI

Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival

When: September 6-8

Where: Kiener Plaza. St. Louis, MO

The biggest celebration of Hispanic heritage in St. Louis, this free festival has everything from over 50 booths of food and crafts and live Latin music on stage, to a kids corner and information tents on how you can help bring awareness to Hispanic communities. Bring the kids to meet Dora and Diego, or treat your taste buds to delicious food from Latin America and South America, including Argentina, Belize, Dominican Republic. The Hispanic Festival Inc. is a non-profit organization, and annual proceeds go towards college scholarships for underprivileged Hispanic students, and families in need of food and water. 

21st International Mango Festival

When: July 13-14

Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. South Beach, Miami, FL

The International Mango Festival presents “The Mangos of Mexico”. Two days will be dedicated to this sweet, delicious tropical fruit as hundreds of mango enthusiasts descend on the Grower’s Summit 2013. There you can learn how to grow, cultivate, treat and serve a mango, as well as partake in a mango themed art and merchandise auction. For those of you looking to simply enjoy the mango at its finest, grab a mango smoothie, mango chutney, or sit down to a mango themed brunch prepared by celebrity chefs. Non-member tickets are $25 per person, while children under five are free. 

CALIFORNIA

2013 Summer Nights Outdoor Music Festival “Latin Music Night”

When: August 3. 6–10 PM

Where: Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts at the Osher Marin JCC. San Rafael, CA

California is known for its lazy beach days and vivacious summer nights. So it’s no surprise that this year’s Latin Music Night will take place outdoors. Presented by the Osher Marin JCC, the 2013 Summer Nights Outdoor Music Festival will feature LoCura and Los Pinguos, two bands with a flair for blending the bold styles of Latin music, such as Flamenco, Reggae, and Cumbia. Dance instruction and a dance floor will be provided for guests who want to get in on the fun. Guests can also purchase traditional Spanish cuisine and alcohol from the centers own Casa Manana pop-up restaurant. Single tickets are available for $20 in advance/$25 day-of. Ages 17 and under are free, and group discounts are available as well.

East Los Angeles Meets Napa 2013

When: July 19. 6-9 PM.

Where: LA Union Station. Los Angeles, CA

“East LA Meets Napa & Beyond” is a unique, outdoor event that pairs together the richness of Mexican food and the success of Latino-owned vineyards in California. At this 8th annual celebratory food and wine tasting event, guests can become the ultimate foodies and enjoy all of the food and wine they can get their hands on. Live music will also be provided as you wine and dine the night away. All of the evening’s proceeds benefit the AltaMed Health Services, which provides quality healthcare to Latino families of Southern California. Individual tickets are a little pricey at $200, but keep in mind; it’s for a great cause. 

ARIZONA

Sante Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

When: September 25-29. 9 AM – 5 PM.

Where: Sante Fe, Arizona

This five-day festival is a celebration of the city’s rich culinary traditions and the area’s best local (as well as national) wines. More than 70 restaurants join the festivities to offer cooking demos, bites, and seminars and the fest ends at the Grand Tasting at the Santa Fe Opera, where all 75 participating Santa Fe restaurants and all 90 wineries serve samples of their best food and wine. There are also auctions to raise money for culinary classes and restaurant services classes and demos made specially for kids. Ticket prices vary by event, gets yours here. 

MEXICO

Fiestas de la Vendimia (The Harvest Festival)

When: August 2-18

Where: Baja California, MX

Held every year to celebrate a good harvest, The Harvest Festival marks the popular Wine Route in Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe. Wine tastings, dinners paired with various Spanish wines, picnics, music and concerts will consume your schedule for the celebratory 16 days. Guests will enjoy wines from small, independently owned wineries, to those that operate on a larger, more global scale. 

Have another great festival to share that we should know about? Email us at editor@thelatinkitchen.com.