From New York City to Buffalo, the Empire State is home to a beautiful mosaic of traditions, celebrations, and festivals honoring Hispanic heritage and culture. Officially beginning on September 15, when many Latin American nations celebrate their independence days, Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15, bringing with it a wave of exciting events and celebrations. Whether you prefer to experience Hispanic history at a museum exhibit or revel in the vibrant atmosphere of a parade or festival, celebrate and honor Hispanic Heritage Month in New York State at these 27 events.  Photo credit: @robinmichals on Instagram.

Credit: @yosh25 on Instagram

Join the Bronx Historical Society for the opening of their newest exhibit Historias: The Stories Behind the Images at the Museum of Bronx History. Admire the collection of images from the legendary Seis del Sur, a group of six Puerto Rican photojournalists who captured the culture and daily scenes of the South Bronx over four decades. The images, many of which have never been exhibited before, illuminate a range of social, cultural, and political events throughout Bronx history. The exhibit also includes works from Carmen Mojica and Abigail Montes. The Bronx; exhibit is on display until January 26, 2025.

Photo courtesy of the Corning Museum of Glass 

The art of Einar and Jamex de la Torre, born in Guadalajara, Mexico, is like the unique and ever-changing view through a kaleidoscope  and known for its intricate layers and thematic depth. Admire their work at Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective, a vibrant exhibit that explores nearly three decades of work in 40 mixed-media glass sculptures, representing a variety of concepts including time, religion, tradition, regional distinctions, and personal experiences that expand the perceptions of cultural identity. Corning; on display through January 5, 2025. 

Credit: @nylatinfoodfestival on Instagram

Bring your appetite and dive into a culinary carnival at the NY Latin Food Festival! From September 13-14 at Pier 76, dig into all kinds of delicious Latin American and Caribbean dishes like arepas, tacos, paella, chicharrón, and more. Throughout the weekend, dance to live music including salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton, and cumbia, and be sure to check out the vibrant art installations and Hispanic Wall of Fame. Manhattan; September 13 from 4pm-10pm and September 14 from 12pm-8pm.  

Credit: NYS Office of General Services Digital Media Services

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Empire State Plaza! On September 14, enjoy a free night of music, traditional cuisine, and dancing with merengue and bachata star Alex Bueno alongside Betty Dee, Rey De La Paz, & DJ Boy Boy. Albany; September 14, 5PM-9PM.

Credit: @lacolemenanyc on Instagram

Join La Colmena for a vibrant parade honoring Mexican Independence Day! Admire live performances showcasing traditional dance and music, authentic cuisine from local vendors, family activities, and more. Plus, this year marks the parade’s fifth anniversary, making it an extra special can’t-miss celebration. Staten Island; September 15 from 2PM-7PM. 

Join more than 80,000 visitors as you celebrate Hispanic Heritage month at Carnaval de la Cultura Latina in Queens! This festival is rated one of the most popular of its kind in the country, celebrating Latino culture with music, food, live entertainment, and art. Queens; September 15. 

For more than 20 years, Brentwood has been honoring Central American Independence with a vibrant parade and festival. Head to the Suffolk Community College Grant Campus for mouth-watering cuisine, live music, traditional dances, and a special performance from Joe Veras! Brentwood; September 15. Parade starts at 12PM and festival is from 2PM-7PM.

Celebrate local Hispanic culture in the Finger Lakes at ¡Viva Geneva! The celebration takes place on September 15, where you can follow along to traditional dance demonstrations, jam out to live music, grab a bite from El Morro, admire the historic Geneva photo display, enjoy crafts with the little ones, and more. Geneva; September 15 from 1PM-5PM. 

Mouth-watering cuisine, exciting performances, talented artists, and more await at the fourth annual Hudson Latinx Parade & Festival! The parade kicks off at 1PM on Warren Street, where you’ll see art and traditional attire, watch countries show off their pride, and more. Afterward, the festival begins along the Hudson Waterfront with live performances, delicious cuisine, craft vendors, and more. Get a head start on the fun and head to the official launch party at Hudson Brewing Co. on September 14 featuring performances from live local musicians. Hudson; Parade and festival: September 15 at 1PM. Launch party: September 14 at 7PM.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the whole family at the Strong! Stop by the Paychex Theater for interactive musical storytime with the Rochester Latino Theatre Company or head to the Play Lab for a cooking demonstration from Chef Ronaldo. Don’t leave without trying your luck with a game of Loteria hosted by the RIT Latin American Student Association! Rochester; September 15 from 11AM-3PM.

Credit: @nylatinofilmfestival on Instagram

Celebrate Latino cinema at this eight-day film festival! Since 1999, the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) has been showcasing the richness of Latino and Latin American culture through a variety of movie screenings and categories such as documentaries, international features, and shorts. Grab tickets for one of this year’s spectacular showings, including an array of free events like Mi Vida Loca and Las Amazonas de Yaxunah, narrated by acclaimed Mexican actress Yaliotza Aparacio. Manhattan; September 15-22.

Since 1968, Repertorio Español has been exhibiting a variety of Latin American, Spanish, and Hispanic-American theater productions. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Repertorio is offering an exciting lineup of performances in Spanish with English subtitles including Radojka (September 15 and October 11) and En el Tiempo de las Mariposas (October 8, 15, 16, and 19), based on the novel written by Julia Álvarez. Winner of the third edition of The Miranda Family National Playwriting Competition, Las Vidas Rotas is also a must-see playing from September 19-29. Manhattan; various dates.

Credit @dario.nyc on Instagram

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the New York Public Library is hosting a packed lineup of free events and programs! There’s something for all ages including author talks, book discussions, film screenings, arts and crafts, and dance lessons. Take a poetry writing class with poet JRose, learn to dance salsa, or have the little ones learn to make Guatemalan Worry Dolls. Various locations throughout New York City; September 15-October 15.

Credit: @juanmcdonaldgonzalez on Instagram

Honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans this month at the Hispanic Museum & Library. This historic museum founded in 1904, features over 900 paintings and 6,000 watercolors and drawings, representing an array of Hispanic cultures. Join the museum for their impressive lineup of Hispanic Heritage Month events including outdoor movie nights, art exhibitions, and a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. Manhattan; September 15-October 15. 

Join Syracuse University for a Latine Heritage Month extravaganza that includes performances, discussions, sporting events, and more. The month of celebration kicks off with an opening ceremony on September 16. Highlights include the opening of Syracuse-based Puerto Rican artist Manuel Matías exhibition “WEIRD Barrio” in La Casita Cultural Center (September 20), a Latines in Media panel discussion with Latino journalists, media personalities, and special appearances from Telemundo (October 3), a discussion of Marie Arana’s book, “LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority” (September 18), and much more! Check the calendar for a full lineup of events. Syracuse; September 16-October 26.

Credit: @buffaloakgmuseum on Instagram

Welcome to Buffalo’s Hispanic Heritage District, Avenida San Juan! For several generations, Latino and Hispanic residents have created a vibrant community filled with locally-owned shops, restaurants, and more throughout the neighborhood. Explore Avenida San Juan, visit neighborhood landmarks, learn about significant local figures, stop by Hispanic-owned businesses, and more on a free 90-minute Hispanic Heritage District Walking Tour with Explore Buffalo. Buffalo; Tours offered September 17 and 22 and October 9.

Best known for her vibrantly-colored self-portraits, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo also painted sugar skulls as reflections between life and death. In Mexican culture, sugar skulls are also used to celebrate the lives of departed souls during Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). At Connetquot River State Park Preserve, let Frida Kahlo inspire your creativity as you create your own sugar skull masks at this adult art class. Oakdale; September 21 from 10AM-12PM. 

Join the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for a day celebrating Hispanic culture! The festival includes a packed schedule of performances from the Amor and Heritage Traditional Dance Company, the Buffalo Tango Orkestra, Son BoriKua with Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo, and more. Indulge in one of the tasty food vendors and be sure to take a peek at the craft vendors before you head out. Buffalo; September 21 from 12PM-4PM.

Join YWCA Jamestown for an unforgettable Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Festival! The event, taking place on 4th street between Main and Cherry streets, will have live music, food trucks, entertainment, and activities for the whole family including a Velcro wall and bounce house. Jamestown; September 21 from 4PM-7PM.   

Listen to musical theater favorites with a twist at the Broadway en Spanglish album release concert by Florencia Cuenca and Jaime Lozano. Held at the renowned 54 Below (pictured), this event is unlike any other with “Spanglish” covers of songs like “Burn” from Hamilton and other musicals like Waitress and Frozen. You’ll also get to hear Mariachi Real de Mexico de Ramon Ponce, providing live accompaniment, and enjoy a special menu featuring dishes inspired by the Hispanic diaspora. Manhattan; September 22, doors open at 5:30PM and show starts at 7PM. 

The Annual Hispanic Day Parade is one of New York City’s most anticipated events! Line up along 37th Avenue in Queens and watch as colorful floats, traditional music and dance performances, and marching bands take to the streets to celebrate the community’s diverse cultures. Queens; September 29 from 12PM-3PM. 

Experience a cultural extravaganza like no other at Ithaca’s third annual Heritage Fiesta! This unforgettable celebration kicks off at 11AM on October 5 with something for everyone to explore. Taste authentic dishes that will transport you to vibrant corners of Latin America. Wander through a buzzing marketplace filled with talented artisans, unique treats, crafts, and cultural gems. Admire breathtaking performances from traditional dances to captivating music and much more! Ithaca; October 5 from 11AM-6PM. 

Catch a performance featuring work by three of the leading Mexican symphonic composers of the 20th century at the Bard College Fisher Center’s (pictured) Musica Mexicana event. Performed by Leon Botstein and The Orchestra Now, this beautiful ensemble features two pieces by Manuel Ponce, known as the “father of Mexican Music,” Carlos Chávez’s Horsepower Suite, and a suite from Silvestre Revueltas’ score for the film La Noche de los Mayas. Annandale-on-Hudson; October 5 at 7PM and October 6 at 2PM.  

Join the Memorial Art Gallery for a day of learning and celebration of Hispanic heritage! This year’s theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” Enjoy free museum admission, explore the community and cultural tables, watch live dances, music, and entertaining performances, and more. Rochester; October 6 from 12PM-5PM.     

Credit: @robinmichals on Instagram

Round out your Hispanic Heritage Month at the world’s largest Panamanian parade outside of the Republic of Panama! The 29th annual celebration begins on Brooklyn’s President Street and Classon Avenue, honoring the country’s culture, tradition, and folklore with beautiful dancing, traditional music, and more. Brooklyn; October 12 at 12:00pm. 

For the past five decades, Mexican-American rock band Los Lobos have been a force in the music space with five Grammys, 17 studio albums, and a legacy of greatness. Don’t miss out on the chance to see them perform hits like “La Bamba” live at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on October 12. Westhampton Beach; October 12 at 8PM.   

Celebrate Binghamton’s Hispanic community at this annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration! Dig into delicious authentic food, dance to traditional music, and more. Binghamton; October 12 from 6PM-8PM. 

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