Heritage: Latino
Annual Events
Perhaps the best known of these annual celebrations are Cinco de Mayo (May 5), and Mexican Independence Day (September 16). During November, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) involves elaborate remembrance ceremonies of loved ones who have died. The origin goes back to pre-Columbian times and has been mixed with Catholic ceremony, including candles, altars and processions. These celebrations and cultural activities can be found in various cities throughout California.
In Los Angeles, the Mariachi U.S.A. Festival at the Hollywood Bowl draws thousands of fans each year highlighting non-stop Mariachi music and followed by a spectacular display of fireworks. Other Mariachi Festivals occur between March and August in Santa Barbara, Fresno, San Jose, and Calexico. Fiesta Broadway, held annually in April, is one of L.A.'s biggest celebrations of Cinco de Mayo. The festival stretches 36 blocks through downtown and includes international talent performing on six stages simultaneously…
Held in April, Sacramento's annual Festival de la Familia celebrates all Latino cultures with arts and crafts booths and exhibits, and lots of authentic folk and contemporary music, and traditional treats such as Mexican quesadillas and Salvadoran pupusas…
The annual San Diego Latino Film Festival provides audiences with rare opportunities to see works about the Latino experience. The Sherman Heights Community Center in San Diego sponsors the annual Fiestas Patrias, the Latin Music Festival as well as a neighborhood-wide Día de los Muertos celebration where carefully crafted altars created by families and friends honor the dead…
San Francisco's Mission District is home to the city's most colorful celebrations, Carnaval and Cinco de Mayo. El Grito (Mexican Independence Day) in September and Día de los Muertos in November are also highlights of the cultural calendar. Celebrating California's heritage, Mission Life Days occur monthly at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. Costumed volunteers recreate the sight and sounds of early Mission life through a range of activities of early residents. Christmas in the Adobes is celebrated at Monterey State Historic Park each December. Candlelit historic buildings, period holiday decorations, music and refreshments highlight this beautiful annual event.
Highlights
- Los Angeles:
- Mariachi Festival U.S.A. (323.850.2000)
- Fiesta Broadway (310.914.0015)
- Sacramento:
- Festival de la Familia (916.326.5521)
- San Diego:
- San Diego Latino Film Festival (619.230.1938)
- Dia de los Muertos (619.232.5181)
- San Francisco:
- Carnaval (415.920.0125)
- Día de los Muertos (415.826.8009)
- El Grito (415.661.6296)
- California State Parks:
- Mission Life Days at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park (805.733.3713)
- Christmas in the Adobes at Monterey State Historic Park (831.649.7118)
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