SANTA ANA, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2024) – For more than 40 years, Southern California residents and visitors have gathered each September in Santa Ana to celebrate the vibrant culture and history of Orange County’s Hispanic and Latino communities and commemorate the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries.
From Sept. 14-15, the City of Santa Ana will continue this annual tradition by hosting Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade, a weekend-long celebration of the various Latin American communities that reside in Orange County. This free public event returns this year to the Downtown Santa Ana Historic District on 4th Street, inviting local residents and visitors to enjoy a wide range of family fun, including a street fair and vendors, free live music and entertainment, cultural exhibitors, carnival rides and more. Attendees can also enjoy food vendors, a beer garden and exciting mechanical carnival rides for an additional cost.
On Sunday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m., the City of Santa Ana will host a parade featuring local community groups, traditional dancers, music and other special guests. The parade route will travel south on Main Street from Washington Avenue and continue towards Civic Center Drive, ending at noon to officially begin the second day of Fiestas Patrias festivities.
“Hispanic and Latin American communities are a major part of our vibrant culture in Santa Ana and we’re thrilled to celebrate with Fiestas Patrias in our historic downtown district,” said Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua. “We invite all Southern California residents and visitors to share in our traditions, strengthen our bonds as a community, and join us for an incredible lineup of performers, festivities and fun for the whole family.”
In addition to a seeing a variety of local performers that include student groups, dancers and other international music acts, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the biggest names in Latin American music, free of cost at the Fiestas Patrias Main Stage, located at 409 E. 4th Street, Santa Ana:
- Mariachi Los Reyes and Larry Hernandez – Saturday, Sept. 14
- Marisol Terrazas and Ezequiel Peña – Sunday, Sept. 15
While live music and entertainment are some of the biggest attractions at Fiestas Patrias, the event schedule will also include the ceremonial El Grito De Independencia (Spanish for “The Cry of Independence”) beginning on Sunday, September 15 at 7 p.m. on the festival’s main stage. Mexico’s official El Grito de Ceremonia honors the traditional call to arms on the eve of Mexican Independence Day. It is a synchronized call that dates back to 1810 and celebrates the anniversary of the fight for Mexican Independence. September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual celebration of the histories, cultures and contributions of those in the U.S. with Latin American origins, which has been observed throughout the United States since 1968.
Additional activities at the 2024 Fiestas Patrias event include the Beer Garden, held at Plaza Calle Cuatro, located on E 4th Street and French Street. The Beer Garden will offer a selection of beers and other beverages in a lively outdoor area where attendees can relax. An admittance wristband is required, and entrants must be 21 years of age, or older.
Santa Ana Fiestas Patrias is sponsored by a network of community-based organizations, corporations and professional sports franchises, including the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Clippers, Orange County Soccer Club, Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, Northgate Market, and Telemundo 52. Many of these supporting partners will offer special activations throughout the festival grounds.
Guests who will be attending Santa Ana Fiestas Patrias are encouraged to plan their visit in advance. For updated event information, including parade route, street closures and parking information, visit the Santa Ana Fiestas Patrias page at www.santa-ana.org/fiestas-patrias/.
To stay updated on the latest news for the Fiestas Patrias event, follow City of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation (@SantaAnaParks) on Instagram, on Facebook and Twitter/X.
About Santa Ana
Santa Ana is downtown for the world-famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat and home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. Over 1,700 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org.
