New York City will commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 with a monthlong series of cultural events across all five boroughs from September 15 to October 15. The initiative, led by NYC Tourism + Conventions, is part of the City’s 400th anniversary and aims to highlight the historical and ongoing contributions of Latino and Hispanic communities.
The campaign, titled “VIVA NYC,” features a diverse range of programming including Broadway performances, art exhibitions, culinary festivals, film screenings and public library activities. Organizers intend to engage both residents and visitors while showcasing the depth of Hispanic cultural influence on New York’s identity.
Performing Arts Lead the Celebration
Several high-profile theater events are central to this year’s programming. The Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club will host a special ¡Viva! Broadway Night on September 24 at the Schoenfeld Theatre. The event celebrates the show’s cultural impact and is supported by The Broadway League’s audience development initiative aimed at connecting Latino audiences with Broadway.
In collaboration with the Whitney Museum of American Art, the cast of Buena Vista Social Club will also perform on October 17 during the museum’s Free Fridays program. The evening will include live music and a panel discussion moderated by a Whitney curator.
The Off-Broadway musical Mexodus premieres September 18 at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Created by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, the production highlights the journey of enslaved individuals who sought freedom in Mexico, blending reggaetón, gospel, and hip-hop.
Community and Cultural Highlights
The celebration extends into neighborhoods citywide. On October 15, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and the Cuba Foundation will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, bringing together artists and cultural leaders for a special performance.
Repertorio Español will feature multiple Spanish-language productions throughout the season, including La Llamada, La Gringa, and La Breve y Maravillosa Vida de Oscar Wao. These performances explore themes of identity, diaspora and belonging and are offered with English subtitles.
At Lincoln Center, flamenco artist Siudy Garrido will debut BAILAORA on October 17. The performance blends flamenco traditions with Latin jazz and will mark Garrido’s 25th anniversary in dance.
Festivals, Film and Food
The NY Latin Food Fest takes place September 13–14 at Industry City in Brooklyn, featuring more than 70 vendors and 14 live performances. Other food-related events include cultural food tours in Washington Heights and Latin cuisine showcases at the Queens Night Market every Saturday through October 25.
The New York Latino Film Festival will present The Changebaker on September 17 at Regal Union Square. The short documentary highlights a Latin bakery’s role in local activism following ICE raids in the southern U.S.
Additional film screenings include Disney’s Encanto at several New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library branches, offering family-friendly programming during the celebration period.
Museums and Libraries Offer Heritage-Focused Exhibits
At El Museo del Barrio, the exhibition Coco Fusco: Tomorrow, I Will Become an Island will run through January 2026, exploring themes of exile and Caribbean identity. Ongoing exhibitions include Jangueando: Recent Acquisitions 2021–2025, and the monthly Super Sábado event on family culture, art and music.
The New York Public Library will mark Celia Cruz’s 100th birthday on October 3 at its main branch, with live music by Gerardo Contino. A separate exhibit, ¡Wepa! Puerto Ricans in the World of Comics, opens October 4 at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
Other institutions participating include the Whitney Museum, the Bronx Museum of History, and the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, all offering exhibitions and public programming focused on Hispanic and Latin American contributions to art, identity and public life.
For full event listings and ticket information, visitors are encouraged to check individual venue websites or visit the New York City Tourism + Conventions announcement.
Photo caption: Danny Peguero, “Latinx Identity: The Voices of the Diaspora” (1980s–1990s). Photo: Lauren Winn
