We’re nearing the end of September, but it’s just the start of celebrations for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which has been observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year since 1988, when it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
The reason? Many Latin American countries celebrate their independence days during that time frame, beginning on Sept. 15 with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico follows on Sept. 16, along with Chile on Sept. 18.
The month traditionally highlights Hispanic communities whose histories, journeys and achievements have created change and inspired others in the United States.
This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” places an emphasis on the “trailblazers and game changers who are paving the way for future generations,” according to Yvette Delgado, senior diversity and inclusion specialist in the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, who submitted the winning theme.
In South Florida, you’ll find that theme reflected in many of the events taking place in the coming weeks — from art exhibits and dance performances to concerts and festivals. And don’t forget the tasty food!
Find events taking place in Broward and Palm Beach counties throughout Hispanic Heritage Month in our roundup below.
BROWARD COUNTY
Broward County Library
Branches will honor Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of activities such as film screenings, cultural performances, lectures, book discussions and crafts. The featured event is Mexican Folk Dance with dance presentations from the Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy:
- 1-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd, Plantation
- Noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Lauderhill Towne Centre Library, 6399 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
- 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines
Admission is free to all events, and all ages are welcome. Visit broward.org/Library/Events for a full schedule.
Fort Lauderdale
- The third annual “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture” exhibit presented by History Fort Lauderdale features local artists-in-residence, including Leonardo Montoya (Colombia), Lifrancis Rojas (Venezuela), Isabel Perez Salazar (Venezuela) and Florencia Clement de Grandprey (Spain). A free opening meet-and-greet reception is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the New River Inn, 231 SW Second Ave. The exhibit is on display through Tuesday, Oct. 15. Visit historyfortlauderdale.org.
- The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park), 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., will have a showcase of Hispanic food, art, music and entertainment during this weekend’s MKT, which typically takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Other activities will include a Latin foods sampling station set up from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays from Sept. 21 to Oct. 12. Then, use items purchased at the market to make recipes curated by The LOOP at theloopflb.com/traditional-tastes-hispanic-heritage-month. Listen to performances from Hispanic musicians and bands from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays from Sept. 22 to Oct. 13. For a full list of vendors, visit theloopflb.com/hispanic-heritage-month-2024.
Coconut Creek
Food For The Poor has partnered with Miami-based, Spanish-language Christian radio station Vida Unida to pack school supplies during Hearts United Community Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at its warehouse, 6401 Lyons Road. Volunteers can help fill more than 5,000 backpacks with essential items such as notebooks, crayons and pencils, to be sent to children in the charity’s Angels Of Hope program in Guatemala, Honduras and Peru. Journalist Myrka Dellanos and radio host Sadiel Castro will join the assembly line of volunteers stuffing backpacks. School supplies also may be dropped off at the warehouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays until Saturday, Sept. 28, and then from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. The supplies will be donated to Miami-Dade County Public Schools as part of the partnership with Vida Unida. Visit foodforthepoor.org.
Hollywood
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, will celebrate the month with different activities. On display will be pieces from Hard Rock’s Memorabilia Vault Collection, at the corner of Hard Rock Live and Hard Rock Cafe. Get up close with items such as Celia Cruz’s outfit worn during her February 1999 performance at Tenerife Carnaval, Jennifer Lopez’s bodysuit for the cover of the February 2016 issue of People en Español magazine, and Maluma’s red Hugo Boss jumpsuit worn during the inaugural Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium in May 2022. Dine at several of Hard Rock’s restaurants featuring menu items created by celebrity chef Lorena Garcia and a four-day culinary pop-up at Abiaka from chef Juan Manuel “Juanma” Barrientos. Performances from Banda MS (Sept. 20), Rey Ruiz and Elvis Crespo (Sept. 27), Chyno y Nacho (Sept. 28), Daniel Habif (Oct. 6) and Luis Fonsi (Oct. 12) take place at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Live. Noches de Neón will take over The Guitar Hotel Pool from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, with music from Dominican singer Milly Quezada. Visit casino.hardrock.com/hollywood/events.
Miramar
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- “Spirals of Hispanic Art,” an exhibit with contributions by artists from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, will have a free opening reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Miramar Cultural Center’s Ansin Family Art Gallery, 2400 Civic Center Place. The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, Oct. 27. Visit miramarculturalcenter.org.
- The Miramar Latin Music Festival features Puerto Rican Power, Los Hermanos Rosario, Amara La Negra and Adolescentes Orquesta from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, 16801 Miramar Parkway. Free admission; $10 parking. Visit latinmusicfest2024.eventbrite.com.
Oakland Park
Latin Fest will have food, beverages, music by Gianpaul and Latin Soul Band, dance and a children’s activity area from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway. Free admission. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov/601/Latin-Fest.
Pembroke Pines
The city is having a Hispanic Heritage Festival, presented by the city’s Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way. Lisset Morales and the Flanagan High School Jazz Band are part of the entertainment lineup. There will also be a showcase of Hispanic-themed food trucks, dry goods and activities. Free admission. Visit ppines.com.
Pompano Beach
The city is showcasing the works of Hispanic artists with activities throughout the month, such as exhibitions and a bilingual book reading. Featured will be Alejandra Abad (Venezuela), Florencia Clement de Grandprey (Spain) and Magda Love (Argentina), to name a few. For a full schedule of events, visit pompanobeachfl.gov/events/hispanic-heritage-month.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Palm Beach County Library System branches are offering virtual and in-person events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, including author talks, storytelling sessions, cooking demonstrations and craft workshops. They also have digital e-book and audiobook collections, language learning tools and other educational resources available. Visit pbclibrary.org.
Boca Raton
“Florida Straights to Cuba: A Living History of the Buildings Left Behind,” a Thursday Night Speakers Series program, will feature Cuban-born architect, author and speaker Mario Cartaya with a historical presentation that “retraces and recalls six decades of friendly and cooperative Cuban/American relations and history as told by the buildings left behind.” His talk is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. Free admission. Visit bocalibrary.libcal.com/event/11124044.
Palm Springs
The village’s Hispanic Heritage Festival brings music, food vendors and kids’ activities to Village Hall Courtyard, 226 Cypress Lane, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Free admission. Visit vpsfl.org.
Wellington
- Hispanic Heritage Night will have a DJ, dancing, food trucks, vendors, presentations and live performances with multiple Latinos In Action groups from the School District of Palm Beach County, as well as traditional and interactive dance performances, from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd. Free admission. Visit wellingtonfl.gov/2177/Hispanic-Heritage-Night.
- A Quinceañera Showcase will highlight the tradition from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Grand Court of The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. See quinceañera court dresses and accessories, as well as makeup and hair demonstrations. Also part of the event: a DJ, dessert tastings and performances from Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School’s Latinos in Action. Free admission. Visit shopwellingtongreen.com.
West Palm Beach
- The Historical Society of Palm Beach County and the Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum present the multidisciplinary exhibit “Visual & Natural,” which explores the connectivity between Latinx traditions and cultures. Curated by Gaby Viteri, the exhibit features artists Paloma Eden, Andrea Facusse, Maria Magdalena Marcenaro (artist name: Magda Love) and Caromoonstar. View their art through Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the museum, 300 N. Dixie Highway. Visit pbchistory.org/events.
- Nights in Northwood Village celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, along the 400 block of Northwood Road with food, shopping and entertainment. Free admission. Visit eventbrite.com.
- An interactive bomba drumming demonstration with master folk musician José Emmanuelli is coming to the Mandel Public Library’s pre-function lobby at the third floor, 411 Clematis St., from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. Bomba is an ancestral Puerto Rican music and dance tradition with African influences. Free admission. Visit wpbcitylibrary.libcal.com/event/12889062.
- Join the Fiesta Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at KidSpace on the third floor of the Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St. Guests of all ages may join in to dance, play games and try traditional treats. In-person sign-up begins in KidSpace at 1:30 p.m. before the event. Visit wpbcitylibrary.libcal.com/event/13128876.
