Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with these festivals, events in Charlotte
National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and Charlotte is ready to celebrate with entertainment-packed events filled with live music, traditional foods and cultural experiences.
Why is it stretched out between the two months, you might ask? Diversity and inclusion of many Latin American countries is the answer.
In 1968, as Hispanic Heritage Week started under President Lyndon Johnson. Then in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the festivities to a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15. Sept. 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Independence Day in Mexico and Chile follow, on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
Here are a few events where you can celebrate in Charlotte:
Huntersville Latino Night
Location: 201 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
When: Friday, Sept. 15, 5-9 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Celebrate the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month at Huntersville Latino Night at Veterans Park. Join the crowd on a night filled with live music, dancing, local food trucks and beverages. See exciting performances from Wanda Lopez, UltimaNota Music and more.
Latin American Festival
Location: The Amp Ballantyne, 11115 Upper Ave, Charlotte, NC 28277
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, noon-8 p.m.
Tickets: Free
The 33rd annual Latin American Festival will take place this year as part of Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Charlotte International Arts Festival, stretching from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. Festivalgoers will find cultural representation from 19 Latin American countries participating in a mercadito (marketplace), as well as musical acts, traditional foods and dance performance.
Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas
Location: Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, 3-5 p.m., rain or shine
Tickets: $20 at the door or online; kids 8 and under are free
Enjoy artisan food and Hispanic culture while you enjoy the Reggaeton sounds of Gente de Zona, a Latin Grammy and Latin Billboard Award wining duo native to Cuba, and other musical acts. Pets are welcome, but leave your tents, chairs and umbrellas at home. Outside food and drink are not allowed.
Concord International Festival
Location: Downtown Concord, Spring Street SW and Barbrick Avenue SW
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, noon-6 p.m.
Tickets: Free admission
The Concord International Festival, a partnership between the city and El Puente Hispano, will include cultural stands, food and craft vendors. You’ll also find a kids’ corner with internationally-inspired attractions, as well as entertainment from music and dance groups including Mariachi Guadalupano, Eddy Kbrera & Band and more.
Hola Charlotte
Location: Tryon Street, uptown Charlotte
When: Saturday, Oct. 7, noon-6 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Stroll along Tryon Street uptown while you visit the Latin American village, made up of booths from local cultural organizations that are filled with musical instruments and other items from their homelands. Countries represented will include Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. There will be entertainment, too, although the lineup has not yet been announced.
Art Without Walls!
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC. 28207
When: Oct. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: Free, but registration is required
The Latin American Chamber of Commerce Charlotte and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Iota Chapter’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month event, Art Without Walls!, features immigrant stories through art. The networking event includes high school and college students, along with community members and business representatives. You can also bid on the artwork.
Música Matthews
Location: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 5-9 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Bring chairs or blankets to Música Matthews to settle in for the Hispanic heritage celebration. You’ll find artists displaying their work, along with music and games. Food trucks will be on hand, and Seaboard Brewing will put up a craft beer tent.
Jody Mace and Denise Casalez contributed to this article.
Did we miss an event? Let us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
This story was originally published September 11, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
