Here are 5 ways you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Charlotte
Grab your dancing shoes and make sure to come hungry. Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated in the United States from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, highlights the culture and achievements of Latin Americans.
This month also marks the beginning of festivals in Charlotte that shine a spotlight on diverse Latin American cultures.
Indulge in the food, music and art of our city’s Central American, Latin American, South American and Caribbean communities. Let your hair down, grab some food and dance the night away to the rhythmic beats of the Latin American music blasting from the speakers.
Latin American Festival
Address: 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Location: Barclay Downs
When: Sept. 17 at noon
Get ready to party at the 32nd annual Latin American Festival, hosted by the Latin American Coalition. The festival will feature music, food and art from several Latin American, Central American and Caribbean cultures. The festival will feature performances by Billo’s Caracas Boys, Rubby Perez and Karlos Rose.
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Address: 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: Uptown
When: Sept. 17 from 3-10 p.m.
Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights, will soon be home to the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Festival. The festival will feature cuisine, traditional live dances and live music from all the cultures that make up Latin America.
Elvis Crespo, a Puerto Rican merengue singer, is the event headliner. You can also expect to have performances by Dj OsoCity, La Sonora Dinamita, Don Chezina and Monchy and Alexandra. Performances will be at home plate in front of sections 109-113.
Cost: free general admission entry for children 8 and younger, $20 for general admission tickets, $25 for Field Box tickets,, $35-$40 for Home Plate Club tickets and $100 for Indoor Home Plate Club tickets and Upper Club Seat Tickets.
Huntersville Latino Night
Address: 201 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Location: Huntersville
When: Sept. 30 from 5-9 p.m.
The second annual Huntersville Latino Night is happening at Veterans Park. The event will feature food trucks and beverages for purchase and live local bands. Featured performances will include Rumbao Latin Dance, Ultimanota and Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition by Julio Ruiz.
Cost: free entry
Hola Charlotte Festival
Address: Tryon Street from Brooklyn Village Avenue to 4th Street
Location: Uptown
When: Oct. 15 from noon-6 p.m.
The 10th annual Hola Charlotte Festival, hosted by Norsan Media, is the largest Hispanic Heritage celebration in Charlotte. The event highlights the diverse cultures of Latin America and features nationally recognized Latino talents.
The headlining act will be ChocQuibTown, a Grammy Award winning Colombian hip-hop group that focuses on the Afro-Latino diaspora experience. An area called Hola Urbano will showcase local performers singing reggaeton, trap and Latin urban music.
Schedule of events:
Bilingual stories and music in the Mint Museum Uptown: 11 a.m.
Opening performance at the Levine Avenue of the Arts: noon
Parade of flags at the Levine Ave of the Arts at Tryon St: 12:05 p.m.
Cultural stage at the Levine Ave of the Arts: throughout noon-5 p.m.
Latin Urban area on Tryon Street: throughout 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Latin American Villas at the Levine Avenue of the Arts noon: throughout 5 p.m.
Pop-up performances throughout the festival’s footprint: throughout 1-4 p.m.
Musical stage on Tryon at 4th Street: throughout 1-6 p.m.
Hola Urbano: throughout the event
Cost: free entry
Musica Matthews
Address: 120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: Matthews
When: Oct. 15 from 5-9 p.m.
Make sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the Musica Matthews event in Stumptown Park. There will be Latin food trucks — including Latin Twist Cafe, International Truck of Tacos and Urban Flavor — arts and crafts exhibitions — made by Creations on the Rock, Zuleyma Castrejon and Junior Gomez — and a beer tent by Seaboard Brewing.
Schedule of events:
Flute Praise Latin Band: 6-7 p.m.
Rumbao Latin Dance Troupe performing and instructing: throughout 7-7:30 p.m. (and throughout the evening)
West End Mambo Band: 7:30-9 p.m.
Cost: free entry and events
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 6:05 AM.
