Food, Fun and Fiestas for Hispanic Heritage Month

This month marks the anniversaries of independence for Latin American countries such as Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Consider it the perfect time to learn more about diverse cultures through joyful celebrations with music, dance, art and cuisine.

Lansing’s Downtown corridor bursts into life at the 517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend, taking place September 19–22. Get into the rhythm of salsa and bachata while overlooking the Grand River. Discover multicultural flavors and swing to the sounds of Tejano and Cuban jazz. You’ll even experience the thrill of Mexican lucha libre (freestyle wrestling) with real-life luchadores.

The Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta unites unique cultures in one big celebration.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. on September 21, with a parade of flags representing several Latin American countries, followed by a day of festivities at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. Browse among local vendors at the mercado, feast on global cuisine and end the evening with a ticketed performance from the Mexican norteño band Duelo.

Head to the famed Detroit Institute of Arts for ¡Hola Cine! on September 28. On this day of film and festivities, the New York International Children’s Film Festival has curated a collection of Spanish-language shorts to celebrate stories from Hispanic and Latin American perspectives.

Keep it going all month long as you explore Michigan’s authentic restaurants, support local shops and visit art exhibits in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Make your way to Southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown where Latino culture has flourished since early immigrants first arrived from Jalisco in the 1920s. In Grand Rapids, the César E. Chávez Avenue corridor is booming with locally loved tamale shops, taquerias and supermercados. And while Ann Arbor is a culinary playground for all kinds of international flavors, nearby Ypsilanti is also a prime place for authentic Latin American cuisine.