Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with these free mini events in Decatur

Prepárate! It’s time to clear your calendar! Hispanic Heritage Month is here, and Placita Latina has you covered with a slew of festive mini-events to highlight Hispanic and Latinx performances, food and culture.

The group was formed in 2021, from a mix of local Hispanic and Latinx residents, professionals and friends, with a vision to advance Hispanic culture and events in the city.

CHECK OUT: Celebrate these 10 Hispanic-owned businesses in metro Atlanta year-round

This year, they’ve organized a series of events in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. So break out the horchata and call your tia, hermanos, abuela, padres y vecinos and get ready for a month full of fun — you won’t want to miss any of these!

Salsa on the Square

Enjoy a live salsa band performance and dance instructors who will help you cha cha cha on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 6-8 p.m. Then, at 8 p.m., transition to the after party, where DJ La Superior of La Choloteca (Atlanta’s favorite dance party) will perform a spicy Latin dance mix for attendees.

Both events are held at the Decatur Square. The square will also have authentic Hispanic foods, drinks and merchandise vendors.

Location: Decatur - 509 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030; Time: 6-10:30 p.m.; Date: Saturday, Sept. 17; Admission: Free; Website: events.accessatlanta.com

Latinx Artist Showcase

Placita Latina has partnered with the Decatur Artists Alliance to launch an emerging Latinx artist showcase during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The exhibition “Celebrating Our Collective Culture” features the work of seven Latinx artists from various backgrounds and experiences. These artists, which include analog photographer Jon Sanchiz and abstract painter Cristina Montesinos, present a variety of styles in their works. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery.

Location: Decatur - 113 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030; Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Date: Sept. 19-Oct. 14; Admission: Free; Website: placitalatinaga.org

CHECK OUT: Children’s Museum of Atlanta announces Latinx Heritage Month activities

Day of the Dead celebration and parade

Placita Latina and Decatur’s beloved Halloween-themed parade, “Haints and Saints,” returns this year with a giant “Catrina” (skeleton) puppets, music and other Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) elements. The parade will start at the iconic Decatur Cemetery and end at the Decatur Square.

Location: Decatur - 229 Bell St, Decatur, GA 30030; Time: 6 p.m.; Date: Sunday, Oct. 30; Admission: Free; Website: placitalatinaga.org