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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the Middle of Everything

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Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the rich cultural tapestry of the Hispanic community, which includes people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and various Central and South American descent. Recognizing this diversity helps foster a sense of inclusion and belonging among Illinois residents and visitors alike. 

Hispanic Heritage Month is important to Illinois because it allows the state to honor its Hispanic residents, their contributions, and their cultural heritage. It promotes diversity, education, and inclusivity, contributing to the overall enrichment and well-being of the state's population. Plus, it offers educational opportunities to learn about the history, traditions, and achievements of the Hispanic community. Schools, colleges, and cultural institutions often organize events and programs that increase awareness and appreciation of Hispanic culture and heritage.

Take a look at our guide on how to celebrate HHM and find events, Illinois Makers, and more to help honor and support the community during this important month of the year. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Events in Illinois

Hosted by Hispanic Pro, save the date for Chicago's signature Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration event - ¡Viva La Hispanidad! Connect with leaders and members of some of Chicago's most respected non-profit organizations, Corporate ERG & BRG groups, DEI Allies, and the Latino professional and business community.

Date: September 15, 2023, 6:00-9:00 PM

The Annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade begins at the arch at 26th Street and Albany Avenue. It will proceed down 26th Street to Kostner Avenue. The celebration typically brings thousands to the neighborhood’s business corridor. The theme will be “Tu Mexico, Tu Chicago,” to emphasize identity and culture within each state in Mexico, according to the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event each year.

Date: September 16, 2023, 12:00 PM

Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture, music, and traditions! Experience exciting entertainment and captivating stage performances that showcase our rich heritage. Indulge in mouthwatering flavors of traditional Hispanic cuisine. This event is free and open to all. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the warmth, vibrancy, and unity of the Hispanic community. Spread the word and save the date for the Naperville Hispanic Heritage Festival. Join us for an unforgettable evening! 

Date: September 16, 2023, 6:00-9:00 PM

Come out to C'Ville Fiestapalooza - a Hispanic Heritage Festival with food, music, vintage clothing, and more!

 Date: September 16, 2023, 12:00 PM

New to the City of Elgin in 2023 is Hispanic Heritage Month: Canta con Orgullo (Sing with Pride) at Festival Park in downtown Elgin. This event brings together community partners including the Gail Borden Public Library and the Friends of the Masons, both known for their fantastic Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. This event features a car parade, traditional Grito, Ballet Folklorico performances, interactive Frida Kahlo sculpture, loteria games, live music, themed food and drinks, and much more! The event culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 PM. 

Date: September 16, 2023, 3:00-10:00 PM

Join Wild Rose for the 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Wild Rose in collaboration with the RS Cultural Diversity! They are thrilled to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, art, community, food, and refreshments, and they want YOU to be a part of this vibrant gathering.

Date: September 16th, 2023, 3:00-6:00 PM

The weekend-long celebration, Viva Mexico Celebration, takes place from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The Festival is held in historic downtown West Chicago. Activities for the day include a parade to the downtown district, performances by Ballet Folklorico, musical performances, children’s activities, and a 13-foot piñata. Food vendors and local businesses and organizations are asked to join us in the downtown celebration by providing food, hands-on information booths, and activities. This year booths will be located on Galena and Main Street.

Date: September 16-17, 2023

Drop in for a time of live music, folklore ballet, food, drinks, and more at this year's Hispanic Heritage Festival in Monmouth. 

Date: September 16-17, 2023, 3:00-10:00 PM

Join us for the Annual Mexican Patriotic Parade in Chicago's Southeast Side, celebrating one of the city’s first Mexican immigrant communities.

Date: September 17, 2023, 1:00 PM

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and they are kicking the festivities off with a Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, September 19. This ballpark celebration will feature special entertainment, live music, cultural cuisine options around the ballpark, and other recognitions of the Hispanic culture. Most importantly, they have a Hispanic Heritage Celebration Special Ticket Offer – which includes a ticket to the Cubs-Pirates game at Wrigley Field and a special-edition Cubs Sugar Skull bobblehead. Only those who purchase through the Hispanic Heritage Celebration STO link will be eligible to receive the special-edition bobblehead. Come celebrate with us.

Date: September 19, 2023, 6:40 PM

Destinos, the 6th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, Chicago’s annual citywide festival showcasing Latino theater artists and companies from Chicago, the U.S., and Latin America is returning this year. Each fall, Destinos is a cultural high point of Chicago’s Latino Heritage Month and is produced by the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) and is presented annually to drive Chicago’s vibrant Latino theater scene to a more prominent level locally, nationally, and internationally.

Dates: Multiple shows range from September 28 - November 12, 2023. 

Please join us at the Kewanee Hispanic Heritage Celebration as we celebrate and bring awareness of the different countries that gained their independence during Hispanic Heritage month. There will be food, music, and much more!

Date: September 23, 2023, 6:00-11:00 PM

Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night with the White Sox and Modelo! Enjoy fun music, events, and festivities throughout the night and stay for the post-game fireworks show! 

Date: September 30, 2023, 6:10 PM

SO & Gail Borden Public Library celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a Concert Ensemble performing Latin music. Join us for "Sunday Afternoon Concert: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month." 

Date: October 15, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM

Humboldt Park Sculpture

Chicago's Latino Neighborhoods

What to see and what to eat – from Pilsen to Humboldt Park

Latinos make up the second-largest ethnic group in Chicago, so it should come as no surprise that Chicago is also home to some of the most vibrant Latino communities in the country. From Pilsen/Little Village to Humboldt Park, here’s a look at where to eat— and what to see— in these culturally rich neighborhoods.

View Blog Post

Meet Hispanic Illinois Makers

Aracely’s Bakery

Established in 1982, the bakery has grown and flourished to what it is today. It started with a young couples' dreams and continues to be a family-owned business. They provide daily pastries, cakes, and breads that are made with plenty of love and compassion since the first day they turned on their mixers.

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Yeni’s Palarte Mexican Ice Cream

Beloved Mexican ice cream shop that offers delicious ice cream and smoothies, including keto-friendly, dairy-free and water-based options. They offer a variety of unique flavors such as grape, queso, blackberry, lavender, and many more and use locally sourced ingredients and give back to the community.

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Funky Rooster Tattoo

Funky Rooster Tattoo and Art Gallery is a hip and colorful custom tattoo shop with licensed professionals who takes great pride in their clean and friendly environment. The artists are dedicated to the quality of their tattoos and the happiness of our clients.

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Cafe Tola

A blending of delicacies in a Lakeview venue with colorful Mexican pizzazz and an adventurous menu of daily crafted homemade empanadas and wickedly delicious coffees guaranteed to rock your world. Empanadas may have originated in Spain and Portugal, but it's hard to say Cafe Tola's homemade pastries don't belong right here in Chicago.

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Atrevete Confections

Chef and owner Jacqueline Mejia's lifelong dream of opening her own confectionary led her to pursue an education at the French Pastry School of Kennedy King College in Chicago, followed by an apprenticeship with Chris Hammer, of "Top Chef: Just Desserts" fame.

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Three Rivers Farm

Amy Cloud, Jose Lara and their two children, Diego and Lydia, own and operate Three Rivers Community Farm. Their farm is known for our sweet carrots; colorful, flavorful varieties of lettuce; and unique mixes of cherry tomatoes and traditional slicing tomatoes. However, they grow so much more! From asparagus to zucchini, they grow it.

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Kombucha Brava LLC

In 2016, the owners made a radical change in their careers and decided to start a business that would truly express their passions and talents. They embarked on this journey, and have found themselves receiving endless support from the community. They're committed to making a wide variety of delicious Kombucha teas that also reflect the integrity of their values.

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