PASADENA, Calif.— The City of Pasadena celebrates National Latino Heritage Month with free events, crafts, story times, book discussions, and activities for all ages, recognizing the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain.
Celebrating Latino Heritage Month reinforces Pasadena’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city while recognizing and honoring the diversity of its community. The City of Pasadena continues to offer a variety of events and programs throughout the city that celebrate Latino culture and heritage.
Festival
For all ages
Latino Heritage Parade & Festival
Saturday, October 10 • 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. • Pasadena City Hall, 100 Garfield Ave.
Join local schools, community groups, elected officials, dignitaries, neighbors and friends at the 28th Annual Latino Heritage Parade & Festival! The parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Los Robles Avenue and Buckeye Street, and the festival will begin at 5 p.m. in front of Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. This event is sponsored by the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Latino Heritage Committee. For more information, please visit PasadenaLatinoHeritageParade.org.
Programs and Events
For all ages unless specified.
Library programming is sponsored by The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library.
Fiestas Patrias
Friday, September 11 • 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center 363 E. Villa St.
Let’s celebrate and honor independence across Latin America! This family-friendly event highlights the colors, richness, and warmth of Latin American culture. Enjoy live music and traditional dances performed by local community groups.
Sip & Paint
Thursday, September 17 • 4 p.m. • Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St., 2nd Floor
Celebrate Latino Heritage Month at the library with a fun and creative Sip & Paint program! Enjoy refreshing aguas frescas while painting your own fruit-inspired masterpiece on a mini canvas, inspired by the picture book A Song of Frutas To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/. For ages 3+ and their families.
Dance with Me: Baila con Migo
Friday, September 25, October 2 and October 9 • 6 p.m.-8 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to move! In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, participants will have the exclusive opportunity to learn the fundamental steps, rhythm, and passion of salsa dancing. For ages 18+.
Online Book Group
Saturday, September 26 • 10:30 a.m. • Zoom
We will discuss Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Cannot Forget by Reyna Grande in celebration of Latino Heritage Month. To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/. For ages 50+.
Sazón Latino: Pupusas Workshop
Saturday, September 26 • Noon – 2 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Discover the delicious flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine! In this mouthwatering session, participants will learn the art of shaping perfect pupusas. Come ready to learn skills you can bring right back to your own kitchen. For ages 18+.
Sazón Latino: Pan Dulce “Pan de Muerto” Workshop
Saturday, October 3 • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Roll up your sleeves for an in-person baking masterclass with renowned Chef Alex Peña! Learn authentic techniques for making classic Pan de Muerto while exploring the history, traditions, and cultural roots of Mexican baking. For ages 18+.
Ofrenda Nicho Box and Flower Making
Saturday, October 10 • noon • Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
Join us for an afternoon of honoring our deceased loved ones in community for Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos through the Mexican tradition of creating an Ofrenda Nicho Box and flower making. For ages 5+.
Movie Night (Coco)
Thursday, October 15 • 6 p.m. • Madison Elementary School, 515 E. Ashtabula St.
Join us for a free family screening of Disney’s Coco! Follow Miguel, a young aspiring musician who journeys to the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s history and discover the importance of family, culture, and tradition. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and favorite snacks. Free popcorn will be provided!
Community Ofrenda
Saturday, October 17 – Saturday, November 7 • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Friday & Saturday), 1 – 5 p.m. (Sunday) & 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday-Thursday)
Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
Saturday, October 17- Saturday, November 7 • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
Saturday, October 17- Saturday, November 7 • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.
Come place your photos, messages, or other family mementos on our two community ofrendas, or altars. Ofrendas will be on display from October 17 through November 7. For ages 18+.
The Californios: Voices from Early California
Saturday, October 24 • 2 p.m.
Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.
Join Dr. Gloria Arjona as she presents the often-overlooked Spanish and Mexican periods of California’s history through stories and live music based on the early California music collected by Charles Fletcher Lummis. Lummis preserved early California music by recording about 500 Spanish-language, Californio, Mexican and Native American folk songs on wax cylinders, translating them, then publishing collections of them, including “Spanish Songs of Old California” from 1923. For ages 9+.
Dia De Los Muertos
Friday, October 30 • 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Join friends and neighbors at Villa Parke Community Center to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Commemorate the centuries-old holiday with dance performances, arts and crafts, food available for purchase and “ofrendas,” altars honoring the lives of the deceased. Community members are warmly invited to bring a framed photograph of their loved one to place on the shared community altar on the day of the Dia De Los Muertos event.
Reserve Altar Space: If you are interested in participating in the event by displaying an altar, please call (626) 744-6530 to reserve your space by October 15.
Storytime
Bilingual Spanish Storytime
Wednesdays • 10 a.m.
Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St., 2nd Floor
For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.
Spanish Storytime
Wednesdays • 4 p.m.
La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
For ages 0-8 and their caregivers.
Book List
Would you like to learn more? The Pasadena Public Library has a list of titles available by Latino authors, highlighting the voices, experiences and cultures of Latin America and Latino Americans. Visit https://arcg.is/1uf8WW0 for more information.
Social Media
Latino/a-owned Businesses Spotlight Series
Month-long series • Social Media
The City’s Communications and Marketing Division and Economic Development Division will spotlight Latino/a-owned businesses in Pasadena. Follow along as we highlight local gems on social media. Facebook and Instagram @CityOfPasadena, and Twitter @PasadenaGov.
For accessibility information or to request an accommodation, please contact CSC@CityOfPasadena.net or call (626) 744-7311.
Go green and ride transit! Find transit information and a trip planner at PasadenaTransit.net
Subscribe to receive City News Releases by email.