Philly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with parties, parades and music

Over the next month, Philadelphia lights up with the sights, sounds and flavors of Latino culture for National Hispanic Heritage Month. Beginning officially on Monday, Sept. 15 (the day before Mexico's Independence Day), the festivities continue into October.

Things get started a day early on Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing (Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard) with a fiesta in honor of Mexican Independence. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., get your fill on authentic cuisine (including the Best Taco in the Delaware Valley contest!), mariachi bands, dancers and crafts.

Work up an appetite for worldly cuisine and music on Sunday, Sept. 14 as Puerto Rican singer Rosa Diaz performs for two hours at Reading Terminal Market's (1200 Arch St.) Center Court seating area starting at noon.

From Monday, Sept. 15 through Wednesday, Oct. 15, the National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.) gives a nod to notable Hispanic and Latino Americans — like Sonia Sotomayor and Roberto Clemente — with artifacts, an interactive museum show, and exhibits. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Daily exhibits include "Paving New Ground," examining struggles of Hispanic Americans, a self-guided tour, and giant board games.

Bust a move at Las Parcelas' (2248 Palethorp St.) fall harvest bash from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. For the first two hours of the outdoor bash, pie and empanada recipe contests will be held — and bringing goods for judging gets you into the event for free. All in the name of a bountiful fall season.

Ferria del Barrio, or "Neighborhood Fair," this year's 30th anniversary party honors Latin music and dancing (bust a move), Latino cuisine (eat up), vendors (shop away), and entertainment for the young ones (bring 'em) on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at El Centro de Oro (North 5th Street between Cambria Street and Lehigh Avenue).

The next best thing to a Brazilian getaway is Brazilian Day Philadelphia, a celebration at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing (Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard) with food, vendors and dance: samba, forro, pagode, capoeira, etc. on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mexico comes to South Philly (1151 S. 9th St. to be exact) for a block party on Sunday, Sept. 21. From noon until 6 p.m. take in the sounds of mariachi bands and tastes of the vast array of foods provided from a wide selection of vendors.

Another fiesta is set to go down on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Brandywine Zoo (1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington), roping animals into the celebrations. The Zoo Fiesta runs from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. for games, crafts and piñatas.

Multi-Latin-Grammy-award-winning, funk, hip-hop, rock, reggae (whew!) super group Calle 13 stops by the Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St.) for an 8 p.m. show on Saturday, Sept. 27 to kick off the Kimmel Center's İEn Vivo! concert series.

Another Reading Terminal Market (1200 Arch St.) performance comes from the Arconet Strings Ensemble on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a family-friendly late-afternoon jam session.

What would a celebration be without a parade? The Puerto Rican Day Parade marches down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, Sept. 28 starting at noon with floats, dancers and — of course — music.

Flamenco dancers perform throughout the Barnes Foundation's (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) October First Friday event. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., see Philadelphia-based flamenco group De Luna a Lunares and learn the educational powers of dance on Friday, Oct. 3.

Date idea: Dance performance and dinner at Reading Terminal Market (1200 Arch St.) on Thursday, Oct 9. Yaretzi, a Mexican folkloric dance ensemble, will perform at 5 p.m. followed by a special dinner prepared by 12th Street Cantina as a part of the Market's Hispanic Heritage Month festivities.

Top Hispanic businesses, professionals and organizations are honored at this year's Hispanic Choice Awards on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St.). This year's show starts at 7 p.m., with the ultra-cool red carpet treatment beginning at 3 p.m.