Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With Free Events In The Parks

A variety of events are being held in parks around the city in celebration of Latin American history and culture

The Chicago Park District is hosting free events throughout the city in celebration of Hispanic/ Latino/a/x Heritage Month. The series of family-friendly events will begin in mid-September and end in late October, and welcome people of all ages to attend.

The commemorative events hosted in parks across the city will offer a variety of entertainment and cultural enrichment opportunities to countless park patrons. Some highlights include Son Monarcas: a Latin Fusion ensemble, Canto Latino, and Mitote Día De Los Muertos in La Ronda Parakata. All visitors are welcome to enjoy the festivities featuring poetry, dancing, music, food, arts & crafts and more. The Park District acknowledges all Latin American nations, including those that celebrate their independence during the course of this month-long observance- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize. Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th and will run until October 15th.

"We are proud to host cultural celebrations in our parks that spotlight the rich diversity of the communities that we serve," said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. "These events bring patrons together through joyful experiences and cultural exchanges in our parks!"

To see the full listing of events, visit here: Hispanic Heritage Month | Chicago Park District

Hispanic Heritage Month Events:

September 12, 2024

Son Monarcas

Humboldt Park Fieldhouse, 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Son Monarcas is a Latin Fusion ensemble led by Mercedes Inez and Irekani Ferreyra. Like the Monarch Butterfly, they take you on a musical migration from the USA to far corners of Latin America in their program "Butterfly Fandango." Mexican music and dance is a vibrant blend of many cultures through history, so come along with the musicians and dancers of Son Monarcas, as they explore the Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences on the rhythms, movement, and melodies of Mexico. This lively, interactive performance features dance and folkloric instrumentation while engaging audiences of all ages with energetic renditions of traditional music.

Rest/Reposo

Cornell Square Park, 1809 W. 50th St., 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Part performance, part nap installation, Rest/Reposo uses "Rest is Resistance" and other works by Tricia Hersey, the Nap Bishop of The Nap Ministry, to bring rest to our parks. This bilingual, Spanish/English, piece will invite audiences to consider rest as both a necessary act of survival and an invitation to dream of a future that centers care for self and others, while reflecting on the history of African-American and immigrant labor in Chicago. https://freestreet.org/

September 13, 2024

Rest/Reposo

McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Part performance, part nap installation, Rest/Reposo uses "Rest is Resistance" and other works by Tricia Hersey, the Nap Bishop of The Nap Ministry, to bring rest to our parks. This bilingual, Spanish/English, piece will invite audiences to consider rest as both a necessary act of survival and an invitation to dream of a future that centers care for self and others, while reflecting on the history of African-American and immigrant labor in Chicago. https://freestreet.org/

September 14, 2024

Rest/Reposo

Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St., 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Part performance, part nap installation, Rest/Reposo uses "Rest is Resistance" and other works by Tricia Hersey, the Nap Bishop of The Nap Ministry, to bring rest to our parks. This bilingual, Spanish/English, piece will invite audiences to consider rest as both a necessary act of survival and an invitation to dream of a future that centers care for self and others, while reflecting on the history of African-American and immigrant labor in Chicago. https://freestreet.org/

Buscando nuestro raíces, "Searching for our roots"

Mozart Park, 2036 N. Avers Ave., 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Join Tierra Colombiana Dance Ensemble for their celebration to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at Mozart Park. "Buscando nuestro raíces" or "Searching for our roots" explores heritage through the art of dance showcasing indigenous and Latin cultures from South and Central America. Featured dance ensembles include: VIVA PANAMÁ, AFRICARIBE, BYNC MEXICAN BALLET FOLKLORICO, CENTER FOR PERUVIAN ARTS, and TIERRA COLOMBIANA DANCE ENSEMBLE. We will have Music, Dance, Food, Arts and Crafts, and Entertainment for adults and kids.

Rest/Reposo

Davis Square Park, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave., 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Part performance, part nap installation, Rest/Reposo uses "Rest is Resistance" and other works by Tricia Hersey, the Nap Bishop of The Nap Ministry, to bring rest to our parks. This bilingual, Spanish/English, piece will invite audiences to consider rest as both a necessary act of survival and an invitation to dream of a future that centers care for self and others, while reflecting on the history of African-American and immigrant labor in Chicago. https://freestreet.org/

September 20, 2024

Diversión Exhibition Opening & Celebration

Located between the fieldhouse and the waterfront terrace, by the Anchor pavilion, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave., 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Chicago Park District's Anchor Curatorial Residency presents diversión, a visual art exhibition curated by local artist Carlos Flores. The exhibition aims to use public art as a catalyst for deepening relationships between Marquette Park and the area's diverse residents. The opening reception will take place on Friday, September 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Marquette Park. Attendees can expect music, food from local Belizean restaurant Garifuna Flava, printmaking with Marimacha Monarca Press, and more. There will be performances from other Southwest Side artists, an open mic portion, and a food giveaway. After the opening reception, the public can also sign up for additional, free culture and arts programming here. There will be birding classes, storytelling workshops, and more. For details, click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Calumet Park, 9801 S. Avenue G, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through cultural exhibits, DJ, dance performances, vendors, Selana look-alike performances, face painting, inflatables, food trucks, arts & crafts.

September 21, 2024

Mitote Fall Equinox Danza & Celebration

North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mitote is a traditional náhuatl term that includes gathering, dance, and celebration. Come join in ancestral Aztec Dance, to honor the natural elements in coordinated physical movement with drumming and music, make art, and build community to deepen our connections to land and caring for our future generations.

Poetic Platforms

Buttercup Park, 4901 N. Sheridan Rd., 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Poetic Platforms. Play. Create. Connect. Amplify. Poetic Platforms foster cross-cultural connection and collective healing through pop-ups in underutilized spaces and parks. Open Architecture Chicago encourages participants to become "everyday designers," co-creators of more inclusive and equitable public spaces by exploring community-led culture-making through the arts, performances, interactive installations, and wellness activities.

La Cantera & Friends

Addams Park, 1434 S. Loomis, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Directed by piano player Adrian Ruiz, La Cantera is SRBCC's Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, a youth jazz performance ensemble born at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center. The program incorporates 8 young veterans of Ruiz Belvis' Afro-Caribbean Jazz apprenticeships with guest appearances by the city's top local and touring Latin music talent.

September 28, 2024

World Music Festival Chicago 2024

Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St., 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The annual World Music Festival Chicago features dozens of free concerts with international and local artists performing music from all over the globe at venues throughout the city. Guests can experience the sounds of world music and its subgenres from diverse geographical regions including Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. On Saturday, September 28 we present acclaimed jazz vocalist Kavita Shah and Cape Verdean Blues exploring the traditional mornas and coladeiras of Cape Verdean global music legend Cesária Évora. Admission is FREE and for all ages. More information can be found at

Una Noche Bajo Las Estrellas

La Villita Park, 2800 S. Sacramento Blvd., 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This event has been rescheduled for the Fall of 2024. Come join the fun with a stellar youth mariachi band while Adler teens and staff teach us about light pollution! And don't forget to check out the Adler Planetarium's 'Scopes in the City program, where you can enjoy telescopes and exciting space-related activities at La Villita Park. Let's all look up at Chicago's night sky together.

October 4, 2024

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St., 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through cultural exhibits, live performances, vendors, arts & crafts and more!

October 5, 2024

Canto Latino

Senka Park, 5400 S. St. Louis Ave., 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Join us for Canto Latino, a free outdoor festival that brings together youth across Uniting Voices Chicago programs and the Chicago community to honor and celebrate the city's proud Latin American heritage. This year, we will spotlight the music, dance, food and culture of South American countries, such as Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela! In addition to on-stage performances, the festival features food, activities, and connections with various local businesses and cultural representatives. We look forward to an exciting day of song, dance, and community!

October 12, 2024

Folklorico in the Parks

Bell Park, 3020 N. Oak Park Ave., 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

BFC will feature various folk dances from various states in Mexico. Our events are family-friendly and interactive as well.

October 26, 2024

Mitote Día De Los Muertos in La Ronda Parakata

Burnham Park, 1200-5700 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive,12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mitote is a traditional náhuatl term that includes gathering, dance, and celebration. Come join in ancestral Aztec Dance, to honor the natural elements in coordinated physical movement with drumming and music, make art, and build community to deepen our connections to land and caring for our future generations.

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