Where to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
It’s a perfect holiday for multicultural South Florida. From September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. There’s a reason for the mid-month designation. The day of September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18.
Here’s a roundup of special events and places to celebrate in South Florida.
EVENTS
Hispanic Heritage Month at the Arsht Center, Miami
WHAT: Hispanic performers like Arturo Sandoval and Andrés Cepeda celebrate the diversity of Latin culture all month.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd.
MORE INFO: Arsht Center
Latin Fest, Oakland Park
WHAT: Celebrate Latin culture through food, drink, music, and dance. Latin Fest is a free, family-friendly event with live music by Sonlokos with Leslie Cartaya.
WHEN: Fri., Sept. 16, 6-10pm
WHERE: Jaco Pastorius Park, Dixie Hwy. and 38 St.
MORE INFO: Oakland Park
Free Concert, Westland, Hialeah
WHAT: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as Orchestra Miami performs top hits from Latin artists from around the globe. Free, family-friendly event.
WHEN: Sat., Sept. 17, 2-4pm
WHERE: Westland Mall, 1675 West 49th St.
MORE INFO: Westland Mall
Noche Latina in the Park, North Bay Village
WHAT: An evening of art, food and entertainment. Bring your blankets, chairs, reusable water bottles and dancing shoes. Food trucks, photo booth, dominoes and more.
WHEN: Sept. 17, 6-8pm
WHERE: Civic Park, 7920 W Dr.
MORE INFO: North Bay Village
Miramar Latin Music Festival
WHAT: Live music and dancing plus food and beverages at this free event.
WHEN: Sept. 17, 7pm-11pm
WHERE: Miramar Amphitheatre at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Pkwy.
MORE INFO: Miramar Latin Music Festival
Miami Beach Hispanic Heritage Celebration
WHAT: Music, salsa lessons, food and fun. Free but RSVP online.
WHEN: Sept. 24, 5pm-10pm
WHERE: North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave.
MORE INFO: Miami Beach Arts and Culture
Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Miami
WHAT: Alhambra Orchestra presents pieces from Hispanic composers in this free event.
WHEN: Sept. 24, 7:30pm
WHERE: Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W Flagler St.
MORE INFO: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
First Annual Salsa Festival, Miami
WHAT: Nonstop salsa dancing, learning, teaching and entertainment at this three-day soiree.
WHEN: Oct. 14-16
WHERE: InterContinental Miami
MORE INFO: InterContinental Miami
EAT AND DRINK
Cuba Libre Restaurants & Rum Bar Fort Lauderdale
WHAT: Tour of Cuba menu features a three-course prix-fixe menu with traditional dishes like black bean soup, bolitas de yuca, arroz con pollo, ropa vieja, camarones enchilados and churros con chocolate.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 800 E. Las Olas Blvd.
MORE INFO: Cuba Libre
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Various Locations
WHAT: Giveaways, Mexican entertainment and specials for Mexican Independence Day.
WHEN: Sept. 16
WHERE: Fort Lauderdale, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Aventura
MORE INFO: Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Cafe La Trova, Little Havana
WHAT: Special cocktail menu featuring ingredients from local South Florida-based Cuban purveyors, including honey from The Native Guy in Homestead; guava marmalade from PG Tropicals in Homestead and fresh limes from Yes Fresh in Doral. Three special cocktails created by Master Cantinero Julio Cabrera include the Canchánchara made with Saint Benevolence Rum from Haiti, honey syrup and lime juice; the Calle Ocho Daiquiri made with Bacardi Superior rum from Cuba/Puerto Rico, Habanero-Guava syrup, and lime juice; and the Mi Tierra Old Fashioned made with Flor de Caña 12 from Nicaragua, demerara syrup, and coffee-Tobacco bitters.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 971 SW 8 St.
MORE INFO: Cafe La Trova
Jaguar Restaurant, Coconut Grove
WHAT: Enjoy Latin favorites, signature cocktails and boutique wines from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Spain. Wind down with 50 {ercent off classic cocktails, beers and wines during Hora Jaguar every day from 4-7pm/
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 3067 Grand Ave.
MORE INFO: Jaguar
Día de Los Muertos, Toro Toro, Miami
WHAT: Culinary journey showcasing Mexican culture includes tortilla Talavera, seafood pozole verde, pan de muerto and specialty cocktails.
WHEN: Oct. 4-Nov. 6
WHERE: InterContinental Miami, Toro Toro
MORE INFO: Toro Toro
Morelia Gourmet Paletas, Various Locations
WHAT: Handmade artisanal popsicles named for Morelia, the capital city of Michoacán in México.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: Hollywood, Coral Gables, Wynwood, Aventura Commons, Surfside, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Doral
MORE INFO: Morelia Gourmet Paletas
Eclectico Restaurant and Bar, Coral Gables
WHAT: Margarita Monday, Taco Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, Tequila Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Brunch and live entertainment on Friday and Saturdays.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 320 San Lorenzo Ave.
MORE INFO: Eclectico Restaurant
Calle 23 Miami, Coral Gables
WHAT: Happy hours, live entertainment, Calentura Thursdays, Callejera Friday, Saturday and Sunday brunch.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 230 Miracle Mile
MORE INFO: Calle 23 Miami
Mezhcla at Balfour Hotel, South Beach
WHAT: Latin American culinary dishes include medianoche croquetas and costillas.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 350 Ocean Dr.
MORE INFO: Balfour Hotel
Casa Sensei, Fort Lauderdale
WHAT: Asian-Latin fusion flavors include bigeye tuna guacamole and Korean steak chimichurri.
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
WHERE: 100 E Las Olas Blvd.
MORE INFO: Casa Sensei
La Cañita, Miami
WHAT: Caribbean-Latin American flavors from James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and partner David Martinez.
WHEN: Daily
WHERE: Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd.
MORE INFO: La Cañita
