San Francisco’s Mission District will come alive at La Fiesta de Las Américas this Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. The festivities will go from 11am-6pm and feature a lowrider car show, local vendor marketplace, and four stages showcasing folklórico dancers and live musical groups. Check it out on 24th Street from Bryant Ave to South Van Ness.
The annual event is dedicated to celebrating the independence of Latin American countries and their influence on world culture. Be ready for a vibrant celebration commemorating Latino art and culture all the way from Patagonia to the Arctic Circle, with special attention to the unique role SF’s Latino Cultural District plays as a center for Latino activism. Performers include the all-female Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano, traditional Aztec dancers Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca, Salsa Orquesta Adelante, and timeless hip-hop ensemble Audiopharmacy.
La Fiesta de Las Américas is presented by the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, which presents many other beloved events in the neighborhood including Carnaval, Día de los Muertos, the Cesar Chavez Day Parade, and Baile en La Calle. Previously known as The Lower 24th Street Merchants and Neighbors Association, this group of long-time residents and merchants is dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s cultural integrity and quality of life.
The Calle 24 neighborhood is the birthplace of Latin Rock and the SF mural movement, boasting the greatest concentration of murals and Latino businesses in San Francisco. The area is famous as the center of SF’s Mission District, and the street itself is referred to as “La Corazón de la Misión” or “The Heart of the Mission.” As a world-famous Latino cultural hub since the 1940s, its a breathtaking place to visit even on a normal day, but it’s worth visiting during a festival to really appreciate the neighborhood’s roots.
Be sure to check out Fiesta de las Americas on Sept. 16, 2023, and keep an eye out for more upcoming Calle 24 events including Dia de los Muertos at the beginning of November.