Mexican Independence Day, celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 16 and known as “El Grito,” is always a highlight of the year in the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World. Top Latin entertainment acts from around the world pack the weekend with music and laughs.
The celebration also kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Hispanic American community through Sunday, Oct. 15. Special events for the month-long event are planned throughout the destination.
El Grito Entertainment
- Mexican-American alternative rock band SECOS plays Bob Baskin Park on Saturday, Sept. 16 for the City of Las Vegas’ free Fall Concert in the Park.
- The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas presents a weekend of laughs with comedian and actor Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias from Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17.
- The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center brings back the Rumbazo festival on Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16. Billed as “the greatest Mexican block party of the year,” the celebration of art, food and music features sets by Banda Zacatecana, Guaynaa, Lunay, Ivy Queen, T3R Elemento, Jay Wheeler and more.
- Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade presents Banda World: A Live Banda X Perreo Party on Saturday, Sept. 16.
- Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana is back at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, playing more installments of his long-running residency on Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17.
- The multiple Billboard Latin Music Award-winning Banda MS plays Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Friday, Sept. 15.
- MGM Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino presents a lineup of top Latin acts for the special occasion. Singer-turned-actor Maluma brings his Don Juan World Tour to the stage on Wednesday, Sept. 13, followed by Latin pop group RBD’s Soy Rebelde Tour on Thursday, Sept. 14 and two shows from Latin pop icon Alejandro Fernández on Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16.
- Multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY award winner Luis Miguel takes the stage at Dolby Live at Park MGM from Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17.
- Rock band Caifanes brings the noise to Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, Sept. 16.
- Latin pop diva Gloria Trevi will play Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Friday, Sept. 15, followed by Los Ángeles Azules’ Cumbia para el Corazon Tour on Saturday, Sept. 16.
- T-Mobile Arena presents a jam-packed weekend of shows for the holiday. Singer-songwriter Carin Leon makes a stop on his Colmillo de Leche Tour on Thursday, Sept. 14, followed by Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame inductee Marco Antonio Solis’ El Buki World Tour on Friday, Sept. 15 and pop-rock band Maná’s Lindo Y Querido Tour on Sunday, Sept. 17.
- Famed balladeer Emmanuel takes the stage at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16.
- Performers Gerardo Ortiz and El Yaki team up to bring the Dijimos Traquilito Tour to The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 14. The venue also presents a stand-up set by comedian and self-described “humorous lecturer” La India Yuridia on Friday, Sept. 15.
For a convenient transportation option over the busy weekend, visitors can hop on the Las Vegas Monorail, which offers seven stations throughout the Strip. Discounted tickets can be purchased here.
Hispanic Heritage Month Entertainment
- Billboard chart-topping Latin pop star Danna Paola brings her XT4S1S Tour to House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Thursday, Sept. 21.
- Fusing mariachi and norteño, Latin GRAMMY Award winner Christian Nodal plays Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Saturday, Oct. 14.
- Singer and actress Lupita D’Alessio plays Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, Oct. 7.
- Known as the “King of Bachata,” chart-topping artist Romeo Santos plays T-Mobile Arena on Friday, Oct. 13.
- Latin pop star Paulina Rubio takes the stage at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23.
- Norteño and Tejano band Intocable brings its Evolución Tour to The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Events
- The City of Las Vegas presents El Grito: Celebrating the Independence of Mexico at the East Las Vegas Community Center on Friday, Sept. 15. The community festival includes live mariachi music, folk dance performances and children’s activities.
- Titled “Celebrations in Las Vegas,” the second annual Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas Collaborative Exhibition is back at the Mayor’s Gallery at the Historic Fifth Street School. An artists’ reception is planned for Thursday, Sept. 14 and the exhibit is open Mondays through Fridays through Wednesday, Nov. 1.
- The Mexican Patriotic Committee puts on its Fiestas Patrias event at Sammy Davis, Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park on Saturday, Sept. 16. The family-friendly event features food, live music and dancing.
- The Club Migrants de Uruapan Celebrates Hispanic Heritage event takes place at Sammy Davis, Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park on Saturday, Oct. 14. The family-friendly celebration focuses on the culture of the Mexican state of Uruapan, featuring traditional music, dance, food, and art.
Dining
The Mexican Independence Day celebrations will be twice as nice at East Fremont’s Mexico City-inspired hideaway, La Mona Rosa, with two steamy nights of Latin music-fueled dancing, an electric Rumbazo Fest afterparty and sampling of premium tequila hosted by Don Julio.
La Mona Rosa (Spanish for “The Pink Monkey”), located at 100 S. Sixth St., will kick off the Mexican Independence Day celebration one hour early with a special edition of La Divina: Noche de Baile, a dynamic, Latin music-fueled night of dancing which begins 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 the eve of the holiday.
On Mexican Independence Night, Saturday, Sept. 16, those who make online reservations to dine after 7 p.m., can start the night off with a complimentary Mexican Candy shot for each 21+ guest at their table. Then, La Mona Rosa will kick the energy level up to 11 beginning at 11 p.m. with a special Rumbazo Fest after party by Altura. The high-energy, music-driven Latin night guarantees late-night entertainment filled with bumping beats and dancing feet. The iconic blue vintage Don Julio truck will be on hand hosting tequila samplings from 8 p.m. to midnight.
La Mona Rosa also offers a selection of hand-crafted cocktails, including the venue’s namesake Pink Monkey cocktail, which features mezcal, prickly pear, hibiscus and strawberry; Oaxacan Old Fashioned, a twist on the classic featuring mezcal, tequila reposado, agave, angostura and orange bitters; and, for those looking for something a little fruity: the Something Fruity cocktail is made with gin, Aperol, watermelon, lemon and honey.
