- 1. East Los Angeles Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival
*This is the oldest and longest running Mexican Independence Day Parade in the U.S.
WHEN: September 6, Parade 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Festival 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SITE: Cesar Chavez Blvd., East Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Comite Mexicano Civico Patriotico
INFO: 310-914-1934, www.AllAccess.LA
- 2. Baja Splash Cultural Festival
*In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival featuring ethnic entrees, music, live entertainment crafts, educational programs, and much more. Also highlighted are the animals of Baja California and how we can protect them.
WHEN: September 12 & 13, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SITE: Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
COST: Free with Aquarium Admission. Admission Cost: $20.95
Adults, $17.95 Seniors, $11.95 Children (3 -11), Free children under 3 and Aquarium members
SPONSOR: Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
INFO: 562-590-3100, www.aquariumofpacific.org
- 3. Latino Heritage Celebration
*Latino Heritage Celebration is two fun-filled days where guests can enjoy lively traditional music, children’s dance groups, and make colorful ethnic crafts. Zookeeper lectures highlight the Zoo’s Latin American animals.
WHEN: September 12 & 13, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SITE: Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles
COST: Free with paid admission, $12 Adults, $7 Children (2-12)
SPONSOR: Los Angeles Zoo
INFO: 323-644-4200, www.lazoo.org
- 4. Fiestas Patrias California
*This is a colorful celebration of Mexican Independence from Spain with popular and traditional entertainment, cultural activities, historic displays,food, artisan exhibits, and much more.
WHEN: September 12 & 13, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
SITE: El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: The City of Los Angeles
INFO: 213-485-8372, www.cityofla.org/ELP
- 5. Fiestas Patrias Santa Ana
*This festival celebrates the Independence Days of several Latin and South American countries that coincide with Mexican Independence Day. Come enjoy free entertainment, arts and crafts booths, food, and a carnival in Santa Ana, the city with the highest Latino density in Southern California. This is the largest Fiestas Patrias event in California.
WHEN: September 12 & 13, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
SITE: 4th St. from French to Broadway, Downtown Santa Ana
COST: Free
SPONSOR: All Access Entertainment
INFO: 310-914-1934, www.AllAccess.LA
- 6. The City of Los Angeles “El Grito” Celebration
*Celebrate the re-enactment of Mexico’s “El Grito” on the steps of City Hall with the Mayor, City Council, and the Consul of Mexico in Los Angeles.
WHEN: September 15, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
SITE: Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: The City of Los Angeles
INFO: 310-914-0015, www.AllAccess.LA
- 7. Latin American Heritage Celebration
*This colorful spectacle features a wide array of musical genres that include Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Folklorico, Mariachis, Peruvian, and Brazilian Bossa Nova. Light refreshments will be served.
WHEN: September 18, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
SITE: Angelus Plaza, 255 S. Hill St., Hill St. Courtyard, Downtown Los Angeles
COST: Free. Donations accepted
SPONSOR: Angelus Plaza
INFO: 213-623-4352, ext. 327
- 8. Museum Of Latin American Art
* Dedicated to the celebration of contemporary Latin American fine art, the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach is focused on giving its visitors a close up look of Latino life and culture.
WHEN:
| Tues-Fri 11:30am-7:30pm, Sat 11:00am-7:30pm Sun 11:00am-5:00pm |
SITE: 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach
COST:
INFO: (562)437-1689
- 9. 7th Los Angeles Hispanic Heritage Festival
*A celebration of the rich cultural diversity of Latin America and Spain with the presentation of folkloric groups, performers, artisans, painters, and raffles.
WHEN: October 4, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SITE: MacArthur Park, Whilshire Blvd & 7th St., Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Cervantes Center of Arts & Letters
INFO: www.cervantescenter.org
- 10. Junta Hispana Celebration
*This is a family-oriented Hispanic Heritage Month celebration of the cultures, traditions, heritage, food, dance, music, art, customs, and people of 20 Spanish-speaking countries, primarily Central and South America. The uniqueness and beauty of each nation is highlighted through a variety of activities that focus on honor, family, and pride.
WHEN: October 11, 11:00 noon – 7:00 p.m.
SITE: Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
INFO: 212-255-4025, www.laparks.org
- 11. Los Angeles Carnaval and Internacional Parade
*This is the largest Caribbean event in the Greater Los Angeles area. Crowds come to witness and participate in the traditional pageantry and to enjoy the colorful costumes of shimmering fabrics and furling feathers. The event features live bands, and large decorated trucks and floats.
WHEN: October 18, Parade 11:00 a.m., Concert until 7:00 p.m.
SITE: From Emerson and 88th st. through Manchester and Lincoln
COST: $20 Participation
SPONSOR: International Eje, Los Angeles & CARICABELA
INFO: 310-410-0174, www.losangelescarnival.com
- 12. Día de los Muertos Family Festival
*A free community art festival celebrating the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead. The event features musical entertainment, puppet show, altars, art workshops, and refreshments.
WHEN: October 24, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
SITE: Canoga Park Youth Arts Center, 7222 Remmet Ave.,
Canoga Park
COST: Free
SPONSOR: City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
INFO: 818-346-7099, www.culturela.org
- 13. 9th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival
*The annual street festival is a traditional cultural event that celebratesthe ancient Mexican and Central American traditions of paying homageto loved ones who have passed. Festivities are continuous all day in historic Downtown Canoga Park, recipient of the All-American City Award, and showcase live musical entertainment, vendors, international foods, calaveras, artists’ exhibits, altar displays, a children’s art pavilion, and a large classic car show.
WHEN: November 1, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SITE: Sherman Way between Canoga and Jordan Ave., Canoga Park
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Main Street Canoga Park, Councilman Dennis P. Zine,
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
INFO: 818-346-4892, www.mainstreetcanogapark.org
- 14. Día de los Muertos en Hollywood
*Spectacular altars, theater presentations on six different stages, authenticMexican cuisine, 20-foot walking skeletons, torch-lit paths, Aztec music, and ceremonial dancers enchant this festival.
WHEN: November 1, 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
SITE: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Hollywood
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Hollywood Forever Cemetery
INFO: 323-447-0999, www.ladayofthedead.com
- 15. Día de los Muertos
*Colorful, ancient Mexican ceremony in remembrance of departed loved ones, with beautifully decorated altars, entertainment, and a procession. Pre-Colombian Novenario procession and blessings each night beginning October 25 through November 2.
WHEN: November 1 & 2, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
SITE: El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza,
Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Olvera Street Merchants and El Pueblo Historical Monument
INFO: 213-485-8372, www.cityofla.org/ELP
- 16. Annual FITLA International Latino Theatre Festival of Los Angeles
*This festival is a showcase for Latino Theater in the United States and abroad, giving the opportunity for playwrights, directors, and actors who represent the vast spectrum of Latino cultures to exhibit and compare their works. Ongoing series of forums and workshops are available.
WHEN: November 6 through 22,
Check website for
times
SITE: Ford Amphitheatre, 2580
Cahuenga Blvd,
Hollywood; Los Angeles &
The Getty Villa
COST: $20 – $15
SPONSOR: FITLA
INFO: 323-960-5132,
www.fitla.org
- 17. 12th Annual Mariachi Festival
*This is a celebration of the Mariachi tradition with performances, education, and children’s art activities to preserve global diversity in Mariachi music.
WHEN: November 22, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
SITE: 1st st. And Boyle, Boyle Heights
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce & Mothers of East
L.A.
INFO: 818-509-0088
- 18. Virgen de Guadalupe Celebration
*Celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe’s appearance to native Mexican St. Juan Diego in 1531. The event includes food, shopping, and family entertainment.
WHEN: December 11 & 12, All Day
SITE: El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza,
Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Olvera Street Merchants and El Pueblo Historical Monument
INFO: 213-485-8372, www.cityofla.org/ELP
- 19. Navidad en la Calle Ocho, LA
*The Christmas Navidad en la Calle Ocho festival is considered the biggest toy giveaway and one of the most important festivals in the community. This two-day event will include entertainment on four stages, free toys and products, clowns, and small rides. Come celebrate the joy of the Christmas spirit and the happiness of children.
WHEN: December 12 & 13, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
SITE: 8th St. at Normandie Ave., Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Edgar N. Palacios Children’s Foundation
INFO: 213-388-8291, www.calleochola.com
- 20. Las Posadas
*This presentation of the nine-day journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is depicted with singing, a candlelight procession, and the breaking of a piñata each night.
WHEN: December 16 through 24, 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
SITE: El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza,
Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Olvera Street Merchants and El Pueblo Historical Monument
INFO: 213-485-8372, www.cityofla.org/ELP
It is time to get going, to communicate. It is time. My friend Paul, was diagnosed with cancer in April and died in June. We had walked with him, the ‘hike’ we called it, together with his many friends. He died on June 26, that Friday evening. We were not present at his death; we were present with him many timese before he died. We buried his ashes in Mt. Lake, Minnesota. We did so only after we accompanied those ashes to North and South Dakota, to visit cherished cousins: Karen, Sharon, Nancy, Syl, and Jean and dear aunts Marge and Emma. We also visited my dad’s cousin Norman and his wife Darlene. We are back in our ‘routine’: Joy working in LA at IILA and me at the U. of La Verne. We are richer both for our friend’s struggle and for the multitude of family and friends we came to know. We are sadder…and richer.
We met her on a three night excursion out of Tena Ecuador. She was sweet…and mischevious.