There are more than 1.5 million Hispanics living in New Jersey. From September 15 to October 15 every year, we celebrate their traditions, culture and customs during Latin & Hispanic Heritage Month. Here’s a roundup of where to go in NJ for activities ranging from eating and listening to live music to taking salsa lessons.
Latin Festival in Roselle Park
Michael Mauri Park, Roselle Park
September 8, 6-9 pm
Roselle Park brings the community its Fiesta Hispana y Latin celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture. Dance to live music from Los 9 Del Sabor from Latin and South America. There will be free concerts, dance parties and food trucks.
Fiesta Latino
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds, West Windsor
September 9, 12-7 pm
Musical artists Mikey Mikey, El Alcalde De La Salsa and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will grace the outdoor stage. There will be food and craft vendors, beer trucks and domino tables.
LALDEF Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trenton
September 9, 10 am – 2 pm
LALDEF helps promote health care for Latin Americans in the Mercer County area and will be providing free COVID-19 and flu vaccines. There will also be free food and giveaways.
Fiesta Latino
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds, West Windsor
September 9
Celebrate Hispanic heritage with live performances by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and El Alcalde De La Salsa with other special guests. There will be plenty of music, food, beer, games and more.
Salsa at Grundy Park
Grundy Park, Jersey City
September 10
Enjoy the rhythms of salsa music, along with dance lessons and performances led by master teachers from top dance companies, with dancing along the waterfront.
We+They=Us Exhibit
The Gallery Space, Rahway
September 10 – October 6
Artists will showcase their art to the Hispanic community.
Celebracion
Arts District Park, Rahway
September 14 and 21, 6:30-8:30 pm
Watch live dancing performed to original and classic Latin hits. Local restaurants will share a taste of their Hispanic foods as well.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
September 15, 8 pm
Listen to and watch the three-time award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band.
Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off & Fiesta
Downtown Hammonton
September 15 and 21, 5-8 pm
In the downtown area, there will be food, music from South and Central American cultures and fashion. Check out food vendors of all kinds of Latin countries and art that reflects the Hispanic scene. On the third Thursday of September, attend downtown’s Fiesta filled with Latin-inspired food, drinks, specials and the final GreenMarket of the season.
Fiesta Latina
Village Green, Summit
September 15, 6-9 pm
Summit’s annual Hispanic celebration features a free concert and dance party from Latin and South American bands. Dance demonstrations and lessons are provided for everyone, and food trucks will sell foods from all over Latin America.
Latin Night en La Plaza
Roosevelt Plaza Park, Camden
September 15, 4:30-9:30 pm
This event was brought back by popular demand and now remains one of Camden’s biggest events for Hispanic culture. Maria Del Pilar from La Mega will perform. There will be a deejay providing beats from salsa, merengue, bachata and reggaeton. Try the tacos and arepas when you’re hungry, and stay for the domino games.
Salsa Dance Fest & Fundraiser
512 Quantum Sound, Jersey City
September 15, 6 pm
The Amazing Truth Society takes salsa dancing to a whole new level. If you’re looking to learn some new dance moves, learn the art of salsa from professional salsa dancers.
NJLATS Pig Roast
Division Headquarters, Ewing Township
September 15, 12-4 pm
The New Jersey Latino American Trooper Society invites all veterans and civilians to their pig roast, where you’ll get to try some other famous Latin dishes.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
La Taberna Steak & Tapas Bar, Dumont
September 15, 6 pm
Join this restaurant for a celebration of Hispanic culture with music and traditions. This is a free event with dance lessons from experienced instructors, live DJ music, domino tables, and a cash bar. They will also be collecting for the Dumont Food Pantry, so bring rice, beans, tomato paste and olive oil.
Latin American Chamber Music Ensemble
Bridgewater Library, Bridgewater
September 15, 7-8:30 pm
The free concert features the Latin American Chamber Music Ensemble. Dance along to an array of Latin American music from Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela and more.
Ecuadorian Art Exhibit
Frameworks Gallery, Red Bank
September 15, 6-9 pm
From the collection of an Ecuadorian grandmother who brought her artwork to New Jersey, her granddaughter Carpenter has created the exhibit “Con Ojos Propios” for all to view. This exhibit includes variations of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and tapestries.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
September 15, 8 pm
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the three-time Grammy Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band, is celebrating its 20th year.
Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Biertümpfel Park, Union
September 15, 5:30-10 pm and September 16, 3:30-10 pm
Learn about Hispanic culture, the achievements of Hispanic individuals, and contributions made by some in the community at this celebration. This free family-friendly event has food vendors from Latin Bites Food Truck, Empanada Lady and more. See cultural performances from Latin musicians and shop at the booths set up by Hispanic-owned business vendors. A beer garden will be available.
Mexican Independence Day Celebration
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
September 16, 4-7 pm
Celebrate the day of Mexican Independence by watching traditional dances and performances from Sagrada Youth Dance Troupe. View the county’s flag-raising ceremony while you enjoy Mexican food and live music.
Hispanic Heritage Month Lunch
Academy of St. Joseph of the Palisades, West New York
September 16, 1-3 pm
Feast on Hispanic foods from all over the world at this luncheon. This is an outdoor event accompanied by a musical performance by Orquesta Yanikeke who shows their unique style of Latin music.
Community Day: Fiesta Latina
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark
September 16, 12-5 pm
You’ll get a sampling of Mexican, Ecuadorian, Puerto Rican and other music.
Latino Festival of Monmouth County
Monmouth County Hall of Records, Freehold
September 16, 12-7 pm
There will be special attractions, musical acts, cultural offerings and Latin American dishes from Central Jersey. This is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to enjoy the Hispanic scene, by trying out their foods and seeing their traditional dances.
Latin Art and Music Show
Bowery Art Collective, Metuchen
September 16, 4-8 pm
Visit this town to see live music from Latin groups such as Ricoson. This event is in a gallery setting, so walk around to see art pieces or take some home by purchasing them at their pop-up shops.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Union Square Plaza, Elizabeth
September 16, 1-4 pm
You’ll listen to salsa bands; take part as an instructor from NJ Salsa offers free salsa lessons; and join the salsa stroll, where you’ll visit three restaurants for an hour of lessons and specials. Come for arts, crafts, vendors, giveaways, food and more.
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Vermeule Community Center, North Plainfield
September 16, 11 am – 5 pm
Taste the foods and shop at Hispanic businesses. Take the kids to the bouncy house and have their faces painted by local artists.
El Festival
Byrne Plaza, Wildwood
September 16, 3-8 pm
If you’re down by the shore join the town’s first Hispanic celebration. Enjoy music from DJ Chino and a live band, Eco del Sur. Shop local vendors and order some tasty treats.
David Cedeñdo Combo
Ocean County Library Jackson Branch, Jackson
September 16, 2 pm
Latin artists will perform tropical favorites. There will be a reward for the most energetic dancer in the audience. Everyone will get a free CD of Cedeñdo’s newest single.
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Along Bloomfield Avenue, Newark
September 17, 12 pm
The creators use art, music, education and civic engagement to teach the public about the Puerto Rican community. There will be a Music & Boricua Festival at Lions Park, a march for cancer awareness, car shows, small businesses, a pageant and more. Stay for the town’s 62nd annual parade.
Cultural Trivia Day
Inland Family Success Center, Egg Harbor Township
September 21, 4-5 pm
The purpose of this event is to teach all families from Atlantic County about Hispanic culture, which will be done through trivia games.
Fuerza Regida
Prudential Center, Newark
September 22 and 23
Fuerza Regida will perform Mexican music. The group combines sounds of Regional Mexican, Urban Corrido and Trap with East LA vibes.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Burlington County Amphitheater, Westampton
September 23, 3:30 pm
Created by the Servicios Latinos de Burlington County, this is a one-of-a-kind event allowing families from Hispanic and non-Hispanic backgrounds access to free health screenings. Learn about county and state resources and social service providers and businesses. While you are learning, have fun by dancing to the music performed by live Latin bands and eat Hispanic food for sale at food trucks. Kids can have their faces painted or play on the bounce house.
Latino Fest
Broadway Bandshell, Long Branch
September 23, 3-7 pm
Hosted by the Long Branch Free Public Library, this event includes food vendors, music played by the DJ, domino tables and face painting.
2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Riverside Gardens, Red Bank
September 23, 2-6 pm
Join the town’s event filled with lots of vendors, live music, food vendors with their creations of Hispanic dishes, and more family fun.
Latino Festival
Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
September 23 and 24, 12-9 pm
With more than ten musical performers, both days of this event include dance parties, food, and lots of vendors selling items from Hispanic countries around the world.
Hitting New Heights
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
September 29, 8 pm
Mandy Gonzalez and Javier Muñoz, the Broadway stars of Hamilton and In the Heights, celebrate today’s greatest composers, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz and other songwriters. Together, they share stories and songs from their careers on stage, including music from Wicked, Hamilton and the best of Broadway.
3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Perth Amboy Free Public Library, Perth Amboy
September 30, 1-5 pm
Play a variety of Hispanic-themed games and tournaments. For the kids, there will be activities, face painting and more. Live entertainment includes a Hispanic cultural performance, the Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibit, the Manny Pacheco Arts Award Ceremony and info about Latino Greek Life.
2023 Latino Festival
Hightstown High School, Hightstown
September 30, 12-6 pm
Organized by the Hightstown & East Windsor Latino Festival Committee, the purpose of this festival is to increase the knowledge and understanding of Hispanic and Caribbean cultural traditions. The event includes a musical program featuring Latin artists from across the region, craft vendors, food, activities, and lots of raffles.
Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
October 3 at 8 pm
From France with flamenco roots, the band is known for its guitar work and powerful vocals.
NJ Bachata Festival
Coco Key Water Resort, Mt. Laurel Township
October 5 – 9
For a fun adult night out, join the festival’s annual music event filled with lots of dancing late at night. You’ll discover all types of Bachata, plus learn from the audience on how to dance to the music.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Kenilworth Public Library, Kenilworth
October 5, 7-8 pm
Celebrate with the community as you listen to live entertainment from the traditional music of Spain and dances from Spain, Ecuador and Mexico. The event is presented by the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre.
Calpulli Mexican Dance
Berrie Center For The Arts, Mahwah
October 7, 8-9:30 pm
The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company will showcase their movement of Nayarit, Veracruz and Jalisco in colorful and vibrant attire.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Boro Bandshell, Hawthorne
October 8, 1-5 pm
Come to this free family event with live entertainment and food vendors that serve some of the best Latin food in the area. Stay to dance the day away with family and friends as you listen to the multiple types of music the Latin scene has to offer.
Festival Cultural Latino
Princeton YMCA, Princeton
October 8, 1-5 pm
The YMCA, Princeton Public Library, Arts Council of Princeton and other groups have come together to create an event filled with the diversity of Latin American culture, showcasing the music from local artists, Latin food, arts and crafts too. Kids can take a turn at hitting the community’s piñata.
Bomba Beats
Woodbridge Public Library, Woodbridge
October 11, 7-8 pm
Bomba is a Puerto Rican musical genre that came from West African enslaved individuals and their descendants over 400 years ago on colonial plantations. This program will be a journey into the African influence on the Hispanic Caribbean, as you watch members of the academy demonstrate Bomba skills, guided by instructors Nelson Baez, a drumming master, and Magda Baez, a dance virtuoso.
WPL Jazz Concert Series
Wayne Public Library, Wayne
October 12, 7-8:30 pm
The band Cubano Be, Cubano Bop perform their songs using the saxophone, timbales, bongos, congas and bass.
Ballet Hispánico’s Tour
October 14, 8 pm
Pollak Theatre, West Long Branch
Hispanic dancers from around the world join together for this tour.
Coco Live-to-Film Concert
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
October 14 at 3 pm
Disney Pixar’s Coco in Concert on Tour features a screening of the movie Coco, with the musical score performed live by the 20-member Orquesta Folclorica Nacional de Mexico.
Xiomáro’s Street Haunting: Photographs Virginia Woolf Might Have Taken
Starlight Gallery of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
October 17-November 28
The artistic roots of street photography can be traced as far back as da Vinci’s street sketches. For Xiomaro, New York City is a source for creating candid photographs of dramatic, weird, and ghostly moments – while not using Photoshop, filters, or other manipulations. There are 16 large prints on view in this exhibition.
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