EVENTS THIS WEEK TOP EVENTS/HEADLINES

GREATER MIAMI & MIAMI BEACH CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 15

Premier Guide Miami
Photo Credit: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Photo Credit: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

The destination honors the people, neighborhoods and stories that shape its cultural identity, plus celebrates the City of Hialeah’s 100-year anniversary: one of the nation’s most Hispanic cities residing in Miami-Dade County

 

Greater Miami and Miami Beach proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15, recognizing the profound influence that Hispanic and Latin American cultures have had on the destination’s identity. At its core, Miami is rooted in rich heritage through the rhythms of its music, the influence of distinguished community leaders and a world-renowned culinary scene that reflects the destination’s Hispanic and Latin cultural ties. This year’s observance holds special significance as the City of Hialeah, a Miami-Dade community, marks its 100th anniversary, underscoring a century of rich history, resilience and cultural contribution. 

Hialeah Celebrates 100 Years 

With a population that is over 94% Hispanic and a vibrant Cuban community at its core, Hialeah represents not only one of the nation’s largest Hispanic-majority cities but also a living testament to the Latin American heritage that defines much of Miami’s cultural landscape. As part of its centennial celebrations, Hialeah has launched hialeah100.com, an interactive online hub inviting residents to share treasured stories and photographs, offering a personal window into the city’s evolution over the past century. The site also provides educators with centennial-themed resources, projects and activities to bring Hialeah’s history to life. Local businesses, organizations, special interest groups and individuals are invited to be part of the celebration through the City Centennial activity sponsorship and share their memories of the community. 

Beyond Hispanic Heritage Month, centennial programming includes: 

  • La Mano Hispana Opening Night at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment | September 12

  • Flamingo BrewFest at Garden of the Arts | October 18

  • Hialeah Trunk-or-Treat at Milander Park | October 31

  • Pop Art Exhibition Opening Night at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment | November 7

Greater Miami Hispanic Communities 

Hispanic traditions are deeply embedded in many of Greater Miami’s other neighborhoods. Little Havana, for example, stands as a cultural epicenter, where Calle Ocho bustles with traditional Cuban ventanitas, cigar shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars. Among the area’s historic venues is Ball & Chain, whose stage has hosted legendary performers such as Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino and Tito Puente Jr., among others. In addition, the monthly Viernes Culturales transforms Calle Ocho into an expansive street party featuring salsa dancing, live music and authentic Cuban cuisine, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the neighborhood’s lively atmosphere. Little Havana is also home to cultural landmarks such as Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park), which serves as a daily gathering place for generations of locals, and the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center, which preserves pre-revolutionary Cuban art, live music and theater. Near the Riverside, the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center provides a stage for Latin American dance, theater and music. 

With the largest concentration of Venezuelans in the United States, the City of Doral contributes to Greater Miami’s rich Hispanic mosaic, while neighborhoods across the destination reflect Miami’s full spectrum of Latin American heritage, from Kendall and West Miami-Dade’s Colombian and Nicaraguan influences to Miami Beach’s notable Argentine population and Allapattah’s Dominican and Central American traditions.

“Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the traditions, flavors, music and stories that give Greater Miami and Miami Beach its unmistakable character,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “This year, as Hialeah marks 100 years, we honor a century of Hispanic influence and resilience that has shaped our destination’s identity. From the rhythms of our charming neighborhoods to familiar community voices and local traditions, Hispanic heritage is the heartbeat of Greater Miami.” 

Cultural Dining 

Throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach, Hispanic heritage is carried forward by local businesses preserving family traditions, time-honored recipes and flavorful storytelling. Institutions such as El Rey De Las Fritas, whose founders sold fritas in Cuba before bringing the concept to Miami in 1979; Vicky Bakery, a Hialeah-born staple since 1972; and La Carreta, founded on Calle Ocho in 1976; and Islas Canarias Restaurant in Kendale Lakes, celebrated for its signature croquetas and original Cuban recipes since 1977, continue to serve cherished classics across generations. In Little Havana, concepts like Sanguich de Miami reinterpret Cuban classics with a modern twist, while Azucar Ice Cream Company sweetens traditions with inventive flavors inspired by abuela’s kitchen. Michelin-recommended Café La Trova immerses visitors in Cuban culture with live music, artisanal cocktails crafted by Julio Cabrera and his team of cantineros, and Cuban-inspired dishes elevated by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein.

Miami’s culinary landscape extends beyond Cuban staples, offering flavors that span the Americas. El Palacio de los Jugos, with multiple locations across the destination, is a must-visit for fresh juices and completas, while Caracas Bakery, El Arepazo, La Uchireña and Las Arepas de Maria spotlight Venezuelan specialties in Doral. Antigua Guatemala Restaurant in Little Havana shares the warmth and flavors of Central America, while Dominican culture shines at Club Típico Dominicano in Allapattah, where food and live music create a community hub for celebration.

These neighborhood favorites set the stage for Miami’s elevated and contemporary Latin dining experiences. In Brickell, Elcielo introduces Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos’ Michelin-starred Colombian cuisine. Meanwhile, in Miami Beach, Michelin-recommended Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann infuses Argentine fire cooking, and Camila Olarte’s Cleo weaves Latin flavors into Mediterranean-inspired menus. Emerging chefs such as Amado Rodriguez at Wyn Wyn in Wynwood and Valeri Fuentes at Verde in Downtown Miami reflect the next generation of Hispanic voices shaping the destination’s evolving culinary scene. 

Community Voices

Hispanic heritage also thrives through the creativity, artistry and entrepreneurship of local figures who celebrate culture in every form. Artists such as Tony Mendoza, whose colorful, cartoon-inspired depictions capture life in Little Havana, and Lealanie Larach, whose abstract art is influenced by her Honduran culture, continue to shape Miami’s creative landscape. Institutions like Latin Art Core, a gallery in the heart of Little Havana that showcases Latin American and Cuban art, and Verde Market, a Latino-owned sustainable store promoting zero-waste shopping with plant-based and organic products, reflect the destination’s rich cultural heritage. 

That same spirit is reflected in the work of local nonprofits whose missions protect, uplift and give voice to Miami’s Hispanic community. Teatro Avante, founded by Mario Ernesto Sánchez in 1979, enriches the destination through Spanish-language theater and cultural preservation, including organizing the annual award-winning International Hispanic Theater Festival of Miami. Meanwhile, ArtesMiamielevates Hispanic artists and cultural organizations, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Beyond the arts, Doral Voice, created by Nancy Esquivel Salazar and Juan Carlos Esquivel, amplifies Hispanic perspectives through nonprofit radio programming dedicated to the community. Amigos for Kids, a 501(c)(3) organization co-founded by Jorge A. Plasencia, is dedicated to preventing child abuse and delivering education and outreach programs that strengthen families.

Hispanic Heritage Month Events in Miami and Miami Beach: 

 

Greater Miami and Miami Beach celebrate Hispanic and Latin American culture year-round, extending far beyond Hispanic Heritage Month. For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month events and cultural experiences throughout the destination, visit MiamiandMiamiBeach.com. 

To get further engaged with Greater Miami & Miami Beach, join the conversation by following on social media at Facebook.com/visitmiami, X.com/visitmiami, Instagram.com/visitmiami and Pinterest.com/visit_miami.

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