What to Know

  • Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15
  • Several celebratory happenings, including the Hola Mexico Film Festival, take place during the month
  • Several events are free, including Fiestas Patrias in Santa Ana on Sept. 13 and 14, but do check if advance tickets are required
  • The commemorative month will mark its 60th anniversary in 2028

Parades, film screenings, and all sorts of flavorful festivities fill Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15.

As is tradition with this joyful observance, events often start before the month has officially launched.

That is the ebullient case in 2025, with the Hola Mexico Film Festival opening Sept. 12 and Fiestas Patrias in Santa Ana dancing through the heart of the city Sept. 13 and 14.

The Hola Mexico Film Festival will continue through Sept. 20, with screenings at select theaters, including Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live.

Los Angeles City Hall is the place for the beloved “El Grito” celebration Sept. 13. Make for the historic steps in the evening for stirring speeches, Lucha Libre, and food trucks.

The theme, “¡Viva La Resistencia!,” will pay homage to “… the legacy of resistance shared by Latinos, Indigenous, and immigrant communities who live in Los Angeles.”

The co-emcees of the celebration include Belen De Leon, Meteorologist for NBC4’s Today in LA, and Guillermo Quiroz, Noticiero Telemundo 52’s Weather and Traffic Anchor.

The East Los Angeles Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival honors its 79th outing Sept. 14; the parking is located at the East Los Angeles Civic Center at 4801 E. 3rd Street but do go with public transportation if possible. Details are available on this site.

Plaza West Covina’s Para La Cultura, which will feature folklorico performances and the La Jefa Market, will revel at the destination on the evening of Sept. 19.

The “Coco” Fan Event at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood is always an adorable tradition, and the 2025 happening will flower, like a beautiful marigold, Sept. 26.

Dance, mariachi music, and the Fiesta of Lights are part of the merriment (but do purchase your ticket in advance).

Also on the fabulous film front? The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana will host the Orange County Latino International Film Festival from Sept. 19-21.

“La Sombra del Sol” is the opening night feature and, like the “Coco” celebration, you’ll want to book your admission ahead of time.

And LA County Parks will offer a cavalcade of cool events during the month “across 59 parks,” with kid-focused activities, cooking demonstrations, musical moments, and more on the schedule.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the richness and diversity of our Latino communities and to stand together in solidarity,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of LA County Parks.

“These festivals are wonderful for all families to discover and enjoy the lasting contributions, traditions, vibrant cultures, and the powerful presence of our diverse communities.”

Discover what is happening during the month at a park near you on the LA County Parks site.