2025 Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival
Salsa Social
About this event
Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival is the largest ethnic celebration in Iowa and the only two-day Latino heritage event in the state. The 2025 edition transforms Western Gateway Park into a vibrant showcase of Latin American culture on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28.
More than 20 food vendors will serve regional favorites—from Mexican birria tacos to Peruvian anticuchos—while artisans display handcrafted textiles, jewelry, and fine art. Two dedicated music and dance stages will feature a rotating lineup of salsa orchestras, mariachi bands, reggaetón DJs, and folklórico troupes, filling the weekend with nonstop rhythm and color.
Families can enjoy the Discovery Zone, offering crafts, bilingual storytelling, and a passport activity where children collect stamps while learning about cultural traditions across Latin America.
Festival-goers can also visit a wide array of community and civic-engagement booths, where local organizations provide resources, and guests can hear quick, impactful talks at the popular Education Soap-Box.
Gates open at 10:00 AM on both days. Saturday’s festivities run until 11:00 PM, while Sunday concludes at 6:00 PM.
Admission is $5 for adults, and children under 12 enter free. Complimentary parking is available, courtesy of Nationwide, at the 1100 Walnut Street ramp.
From food and dance to art and education, Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival is a powerful celebration of culture, family, and community spirit.
Important: Event times are subject to change. Always double-check with the event organizer before making plans.