The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit recently opened to the public at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana. The collection features original paintings from 26 prominent Chicano artists from the private collection of actor and comedian, Cheech Marin. 

Immerse yourself in the rhythm and colors of traditional Mexican culture during Citadel Outlets’ Fiestas Patrias Celebration! On September 14 and 15, experience the vibrant tapestry of live folklorico dancing by talented dancers from Orange Country School of the Arts. Performances start at the top of the hour at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

The City of Santa Ana will celebrate Mexican independence and commemorate Santa Ana’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino cultures at the 44th annual Fiestas Patrias festival and parade with a return to the historic 4th Street.

The Fiestas Patrias festival will take place on  Sept. 14 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sept. 15 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Downtown Santa Ana.

The Fiestas Patrias parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the cross streets of Main Street and Washington Avenue, and will continue along Main Street to Santa Ana Boulevard ending by 12 p.m. right before the Fiestas Patrias festival.

On Sunday, September 15th, the City of Santa Ana will host a ceremonial El Grito de Independencia beginning at 7 p.m. on the festival’s main stage. Mexico’s official El Grito Ceremony takes place on September 15 and honors the traditional call to arms on the eve of Mexican Independence Day. It is a synchronized call that dates back to 1810 and celebrates the anniversary of the fight for Mexican independence.

Throughout the entire weekend, the Fiestas Patrias festival will have a main stage that will welcome a variety of talented performers, ranging from students, dance groups, local community groups, and international musical acts. Families can also look forward to a fun-filled carnival with exciting mechanical rides, food vendors, and shopping. Tickets for carnival rides will be available for purchase on-site at ticket booths. 

This family-friendly event will feature live music, engaging dance performances, and a variety of local vendors offering unique free activities. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of Latinx communities during this afternoon filled with joyous rhythms and colorful dances.

The kickoff will feature local music talents with a diverse scope of Latin American sounds. Alongside exceptional music and dance performances, food trucks and a wide variety of fun free activities will also be available to enjoy, including a photobooth, a DIY screen printing cart, face painting, lawn games, kid friendly crafts, the Orange County Public Libraries Mobile Library, and the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to Lila Downs in Segerstrom Hall for October 13, 2024.

Bret Harte Library presents Ecos de España: Spanish Classical & Flamenco Music & Dance. Flamenco dancer Susana Elena introduces and performs a variety of dances from Spain and Gypsy Spain. Solo classical guitarist Pietro Ruscigno plays a selection of the timeless compositions created for the Spanish guitar. 

The audience learns how to clap to flamenco rhythm, use their arms and hands like flamenco dancers, and at show’s end children are invited onstage to join in a simple flamenco dance performed with scarves. After the show Susana offers an introductory Spanish castanet workshop (she brings extra pairs). Experience the beauty and sophistication of a Hispanic performing art with multicultural roots that extend far beyond the Americas! In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

This vibrant and lively event celebrates Mexico’s independence and culture with a parade at 10 a.m. and starts down Cesar Chavez and Mednik. Following the parade, the festival will be on Mednik and 1st St. with delicious Mexican food, live music, traditional performances, and activities for the whole family.

More than 50 years after the first iteration of ¡FIESTA!, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater revitalizes its classic, jolly puppet show for a new generation of audiences. Featuring newly incorporated characters and cultures, ¡FIESTA! brings life to dancing cacti, colorful birds, and marimba maestros from Xochimilco in a never-before-seen Día de Muertos sequence. And the beloved marionette marching band serves a new look with outfits inspired by Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, the world’s first LGBTQ+ mariachi band.

September 16 marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, and Fiestas Patrias is among the most significant celebrations in Mexican and Mexican-American culture, providing families with an occasion to reaffirm their heritage and identity. Families will enjoy free workshops, and guest performers. Food and beverages will be available. 

Workshops include a printing workshop with Las Fotos Project, a zine workshop with Art Space, pressed flower bookmarks with the Garden School Foundation and more. 

Designer and artist Ricardo Soltero will install his Ofrenda exhibit at Plaza West Covina from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Born in Nayarit, Mexico, Soltero is Hollywood Forever Cemetary’s Day of the Dead set and prop designer and is a multi-disciplinary artist based in L.A. with experience in costume design, scenery directions, murals, floral design, sculptural art in various mediums, and set design. Shoppers can submit photos of their loved ones to be displayed on the community altar at Plaza West Covina’s website.

Every Wednesday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Plaza West Covina’s JC Penny’s court Let’z Connect Now LIVE, presented by Greater West Covina Business Association, will showcase Hispanic culture through art, live music and live panels! The first performance on September 18 will feature the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas de Dindy Shea. 

The University of Guadalajara Foundation organizes this free, family-friendly Spanish Book Fair & Literacy Festival. 

In partnership with the City of West Covina & UNIDOS, Plaza West Covina is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a Para La Cultura celebration on Friday, September 20. Guests can experience the vibrant culture of the Hispanic community while exploring various activities, including over 50 Hispanic vendors with the UNIDOS Night Market, live music performances, traditional dances, and mouthwatering cuisine that will transport your taste buds to Latin America. 

2nd & PCH’s themed pop-up markets feature unique and handcrafted vendors, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, photo ops and more.

Sept. 21 is Hispanic Heritage hosted by Unidos Community Events.

Street Food Cinema partners with the DTLA Alliance to present DTLA Movie Nights in Grand Hope Park this summer.

As a salute to LA’s fashion scene, DTLA Movie Nights spotlight cult-classic fashion flicks, including “The Devil Wears Prada” on July 6, “Clueless” on Aug. 10, and “Selena” on Sept. 21.

Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard (Zootopia) helped conceive this original animated musical about a family who live in a magical house in a remote village in Colombia. When their home begins to lose its magic, Mirabel—the only family member with no special powers—struggles to save her home, her family, and her entire village. Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the film’s lively songs, including the nominated “Dos Oruguitas” and the massive hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The film won an Animated Feature Film Oscar and was nominated for Germaine Franco’s original score. 

DIRECTED BY: Jared Bush, Byron Howard. WRITTEN BY: Charise Castro Smith, Jared Bush. STORY BY: Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith, Jason Hand, Nancy Kruse, Lin-Manuel Miranda. WITH: Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo. 2021. 102 min. USA. Color. English, Spanish. Rated PG. DCP.

Delight in the duality of Caña Dulce y Caña Brava! With both grace and vibrancy, the women-led group infuses new life into traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico. Energetic dancing and percussive stomping accompany their innovative arrangements for harp and guitars to amplify the sounds and sentiments of son jarocho, the centuries-old tradition rooted in Spanish, African, and Native cultures.

Each LA Soundscapes family event features a pre-concert activity and participatory artmaking. Best for ages 3–11. These are daytime events and can get sunny. The Ford recently installed audience shade in the auditorium to help keep you cool, but don’t forget your sunscreen and sun hats!

Sierra Madre Playhouse presents the world premiere of “¡Pasaje!,” an enchanting journey of self-discovery and family relationships, running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 3. The riveting coming-of-age story explores themes of identity, belonging, and community through the eyes of Andy on the eve of his 18th birthday. He discovers that everything he believes in – his ethnicity, his family, his upbringing – are lies that have been told to him since birth. These lies lead Andy to South El Monte, where he meets a beautiful dancer, Marcelina, and the community patriarch, Don Miguel, who help him unearth long-buried secrets, propelling him to a poignant revelation about the Latin American diaspora and ultimate acceptance of his true self. In the end, he discovers his family is both flawed and redemptive.

Plaza West Covina invites guests to join in the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration at Center Court near Forever 21. Celebrate life and loved ones with traditional mariachi performances, folkorico, calavera face painting and more.