Your Guide to Hispanic Heritage Month Events in the Bay Area

Events for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) promise to bring beloved traditions to audiences around the Bay, including folkloric dances, musical performances, and the region’s first-ever televised lowrider parade, cruising down Mission Street on Sept. 20.

This year’s celebrations also carry extra weight — for months, the Trump administration has targeted Latino immigrants throughout California, prompting many community members to avoid public gatherings.

“This parade isn’t just about lowriders — it’s about our right to exist, to resist, and to celebrate our cultura in the streets,” says Roberto Y. Hernández, founder of the San Francisco Lowrider Council. “We’re still here. And now, the world will see us, live and proud, on television.”

Here’s a sampling of events in the Bay Area:

Paz y Unidad Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival

Sept. 13, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (parade), 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (festival)
Richmond and San Pablo

A celebration to honor the diverse Latin American communities of both cities, the second annual parade, starting at 23rd Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond, will highlight the independence holidays of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Brazil and Belize. The festival at 1387 San Pablo Ave. will feature food vendors, a play area for kids and performances by bands and dance groups.

Afro-Peruvian Family Show

Sept. 13, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Central Stage, Richmond

This interactive performance immerses audiences in the vibrant world of Afro-Peruvian musical rhythms, instruments and dances such as zamacueca, zapateo and festejo.

Fiestas Patrias 2025

Sept. 13, 5 p.m.
Morelos Hall, South San Francisco

This annual celebration features a reenactment of El Grito de Independencia, the historic call for Mexican independence from Spain in 1810. The evening will also include the coronation of a queen, ballet folklorico, danza Azteca, mariachi performances and Mexican food.

Redwood City Fiestas Patrias

Sept. 14, 2–8 p.m.
Courthouse Square, Redwood City

Enjoy live music and entertainment, Mexican food, a kids area, arts and crafts vendors and a traditional flag ceremony conducted by Consul General de Mexico at this free event.

El Grito de Dolores

Sept. 15, 4–9 p.m.
Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco

The Consul General of Mexico in San Francisco, Marco A. Mena, will host the annual El Grito celebration in Civic Center, joining Mexican embassies and consulates hosting their own events all over the world. Judging by last year’s celebration, the event will likely include music, dance, memorable performances and plenty of family-friendly fun. And that’s just for the day; San Francisco has numerous other events planned during Hispanic Heritage Month.

San José’s El Grito 2025

Sept. 15, 4–9 p.m.
City Hall, San José

San José’s version of El Grito includes food, crafts, live music and other performances celebrating Mexican culture and traditions. The reenactment of the call for independence is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Two nights of La Santa Cecilia

Sept. 16 and 17, 7 p.m.
The Ritz, San José

The Latin Grammy-winning musical group from Southern California combines Latin culture, rock and world music in a way that sounds both familiar and innovative. Seeing them live in San Francisco a few years ago is one of my favorite concert experiences of all time.

King of the Streets Lowrider Parade And Festival

Sept. 20, 1–8 p.m.
Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and 17th, San Francisco

The San Francisco Lowrider Council and Cultura y Arte Nativa de Las Américas have lined up a full day to celebrate lowriders and their deep cultural significance in the Bay Area’s Latino community. The free festivities will start with a 1–3 p.m. parade along Mission Street, followed by a hopping competition at the corner of 24th and Mission streets (3–5 p.m.). The car show (2–8 p.m.) will have more than 300 lowriders, and there will be musical performances by Angelica Zamudio, aka Bliss the Bay Wolf; Frankie Navarro; Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano; Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah; and Tamborazo Los Incomparables. Mission businesses will offer specialty items such as a “lowrider taco” at La Corneta taqueria and “lowrider pan dulce” at La Reyna Bakery.

‘Inebria me’

Sept. 25, 26 and 27, 8 p.m.
Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA), San José

Sept. 30, 7 p.m.
KQED, San Francisco

Inebria Me, an experimental opera by celebrated Los Angeles-based artist San Cha, tells the story of Dolores, a woman of humble means trapped in a toxic marriage with her wealthy husband, Salvador. In her darkest moment, she is visited by Esperanza, a luminous and genderless being, who helps her awaken the courage to leave and reclaim her power. The musical score blends ranchera, cumbia, mariachi, punk, classical and electronic music with San Cha’s vocals.

Engineering Day

Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Exploratorium, San Francisco

This annual event meant to spark curiosity and creativity in aspiring engineers will feature activities and cultural experiences in Spanish and English. Look for hands-on demonstrations, panel discussions and a performance by BULULÚ, a Bay Area band that blends traditional Latin music and modern sounds. This year’s event is co-produced by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers and the Stanford University chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Café Caliente

Sept. 27, 11 a.m–3 p.m.
Café con Cariño, Oakland

The Café Caliente day party bills itself as a celebration of culture, community and connection — with a side of cafecito. The event will feature Bay Area DJs serving up a global soundtrack of reggaetón, Brazilian funk, cumbias and Jersey club, along with coffee and cocktails, and a curated marketplace of local vendors.

Afro-Latinx Concert featuring Chuchito Valdés

Oct. 4, 6–10 p.m.
Bayview Opera House, San Francisco

This celebration of Afro-Latinx culture and music aims to highlight the rich artistic traditions and contributions of Afro-Latinx communities. This event features Afro-Cuban jazz pianist and composer Chuchito Valdés, who is known for mambo, danzón, timba and Latin jazz fusion.

Carlos y Charlos

Oct. 7, 8 p.m.
The Freight, Berkeley

Carlos y Charlos, a trio from Los Angeles County that formed to perform at parties, is now on tour. They bring a fresh take on classic norteño music, including corridos, rancheras, polkas, waltzes, boleros and redovas.

This story was reported for K Onda KQED, a monthly newsletter focused on the Bay Area’s Latinx community. Click here to subscribe.