Minnesota’s Latino community came together over the weekend for two big street festivals to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month.
Saturday’s march on St. Paul’s West Side and Sunday’s parade on Lake Street in Minneapolis included live music and dance, lucha libre wrestling and soccer matches, and street food and craft vendors.
Don Luna, a retired organizer and supporter of the West Side Boosters Club, said that the goal of this year’s Mexican Independence Day Celebration and Football Fiesta was to make it profitable enough to continue while spreading the culture.
“We don’t reach everybody, but we reach everybody that wants an opportunity,” Luna said.
Luna said St. Paul and especially the West Side Flats area historically drew Latinos arriving in Minnesota thanks to Our Lady of Guadelupe Catholic Church, which still offers mass in Spanish, and the Neighborhood House, which offered support to new immigrants.
“Today, we’re able to keep that wheel spinning and still provide the same services as well as entertainment and the opportunity to celebrate a rich culture,” Luna said.
One part of this culture is lucha libre, a form of professional wrestling from Mexico centered around flashy masked wrestlers, fast-paced action and entertaining storytelling.
Hector “Chavo” Ornelas, a video producer at Midwest All-Star Wrestling, or MAW for short, said that lucha libre is important in Mexican culture and helps bring people together.
“There’s so much divisiveness in the world today that I feel like these are the little things that can help bring us together,” Ornelas said. “Who doesn’t like to see a bunch of people beat each other up for fun, right?”
Ornelas said everyone in professional wrestling plays a role and compared it to going to a good movie.
“Whether it’s the wrestlers, the referee, the ring announcer, even the timekeeper, everyone plays a role to help give that sense of reality so that people can suspend their disbelief,” Ornelas said. “Everything kind of adds to the atmosphere and adds to the energy.”
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations continue around the state through Oct. 15, with arts festivals, a Latino film fest, street fairs and even a chihuahua fashion show.
Here is a list of events in the Twin Cities and beyond during this month.
Mexican Independence Day Celebration / Football Fiesta
This outdoor festival includes soccer, wrestling, food, music, vendors, and more activities to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage.
Date and time: Sept. 12-13
Location: The Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul
Cost: Free
More info: westsidefiestas.com
CLUES Fiesta Latina 2025
This free, family-friendly outdoor community festival on 7th Street and Margaret Street is expecting an attendance of over 7,000. The festival includes live music, food, free family activities, dancing, arts and crafts, free medical exams and a job fair.
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: CLUES St. Paul, 797 E. 7th St.
Cost: Free
More info: clues.org/get-involved/events/fiesta-latina/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Hispanic Heritage Day at the Minnesota Zoo
This Minnesota Zoo event will host a vendor market featuring food, live music by DJ William “El Buenon,” jewelry, textiles and other handcrafted items along with standard zoo admission.
Date and time: Sunday, September 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
Cost: $20-26
More info: mnzoo.org/special-events
Festival Independencia de México
El Rey will host what they’re billing as the biggest Mexican Independence Day celebration in the Twin Cities — an all-day celebration with live musicians and performances, competitive soccer games, food, dance lessons and arts and other activities.
Date and time: Sunday, Sept.14, noon to 7 p.m.
Location: Lake Street and Portland Avenue, Minneapolis
Cost: Free
More info: Click here
Fiestas Patrias
An event dedicated to all Latino backgrounds in collaboration with Indigenous Roots featuring elotes locos, clothing and crafts.
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 to 5 p.m.
Location: East Side Sculpture Park, 705 E. 7th St., St. Paul
Cost: Free
More info: Click here.
ACHLA Latino Fest
The Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans will host a large festival in Rochester featuring a live mariachi band and a chihuahua fashion show.
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 20, noon to 7 p.m.
Location: Historic Chateau Theater & Peace Plaza, 1st Avenue SW and 1st Street SW, Rochester
Cost: Free
More info: achla-mn.org/latino-fest
Viva La Vida: Taco & Tequila Festival
Viva La Vida will host a two-day event with a variety of food trucks, cultural performances and more.
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: 425 Rice St., St. Paul
Cost: General admission $20, VIP $59, children under 12 free
More info: vivalavidamn.com
Celebrando las Fiestas Patrias
A free, family-friendly event hosted in Bloomington featuring live bands, dance performances, face-painting and a mechanical bull.
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 21, 3. to 9 p.m.
Location: Bloomington Central Station Park, 8101 31st Ave. S., Bloomington
Cost: Free
More info: Click here.
Cine Latino
The Main Cinema will host five days of Spanish and Portuguese-language films along with special guests, fiestas and food trucks.
Date and time: Oct. 8-12, Opening night at 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St., Minneapolis
Cost: Tickets starting at $17
More info: mspfilm.org/cine-latino
