2026 Akron Latin Festival

Date and Time

Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 4pm - 9pm

Location

Lock 3
200 S Main St

Details

Join us for the 2026 Akron Latin Festival, presented by Proyecto RAICES and Downtown Akron Partnership. We'll have live performances, food, vendors, dancing, free crafts and activities, and more.

ENTERTAINMENT

NEOPro Wrestling (6:30 - 8:30 pm)
Stilt Walkers (5:30 - 7:30 pm)
Balloon Artist (4 - 9 pm)
Face painting with UA Latinos (4 - 9 pm)
Magician (4:30 - 6:30 pm)
Piñatas (every hour: 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 pm)
Craft led by Akron Children's Museum (4 - 7:30 pm)
Traditional dancing
Instructor-led salsa & other dancing
La Mega live broadcast & giveaways (4 - 6 pm)

MUSIC

DJ LOLO KNOWS
Latin City Soul
Grupo Fuego

OPENING CEREMONY / FLAG CEREMONY

For the second year, there will be an opening ceremony involving a presentation of flags from different Latin American countries. Interested in being part of the opening ceremony and carrying a flag? Sign up by contacting DAP at info@downtownakron.com.

FOOD

Alex Bistro (Mexican-style smash burgers, street tacos, street corn, and nonalcoholic fresh fruit daiquiris)
Wholly Frijoles Catering (authentic Mexican street food)
101 Latinos Food (elotes, tamales, empanadas, and refreshing aguas frescas)
Koqui Sweets (Puerto Rican baked goods)
Pupusas Salvadoreñas (pupusas: bean and cheese; pork, bean and cheese)
La Reina Boricua (authentic Puerto Rican cuisine)
La Rosita Snacks (Mexican street corn, fruit cup, fruit salad, Mexican flour chips, shaved ice)
Taco Veloz (authentic Mexican food such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, bowls, and our very popular street corn)
Fiesta Lemonades and Snow Cones
Sugar Bae Nei Dessert Bar (Puerto Rican/Dominican woman-owned dessert bar trailer, offering customizable treats such as brownies, cookie cakes, mini loaf cakes, and ice cream creations)

VENDORS

TTEMUD, LLC (Hispanic arts, crafts & jewelry made with South American stones, metals and fabrics)
Pretty Mango Organics (organic healing and wellness products: soaps, scrubs, oils, tinctures, herbal blends, and more)
Latin Minga (Venta de productos latinos artesanos hechos por mujeres centro americanas / Artisanal products made by Central American women.)
Happiness Designs (cups, bookmarks, car coasters, keychains and cup sleeves)
Anita's Flowers and Decor (customized bouquets and arrangements, and personalized gifts for loved ones)
Not Yo' Daddy's Hot Sauce (authentic Mexican hot sauce | a taste of Durango, Mexico, made in Akron, Ohio)
LiRo Apparel and Accessories (handmade products made from natural fibers, such as cotton and alpaca)
Corialy Bags, Accessories and More (creations inspired by colorful and vibrant fabrics)
Revy Fair Trade (handmade, eco-friendly products created by artisan cooperatives around the world. Our collection includes upcycled fashion accessories, jewelry, home décor, and unique gifts — each piece crafted with care and rooted in fair trade principles from Latin communities. Every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods and cultural traditions.)
Piñatas and Creations by Patty (handmade piñatas, scrunchies, purses, and more)
Productos Típicos G&G (artesanías típicas de Guatemala / traditional Guatemalan handicrafts)
MI PATIO ARTESANÍAS (Mexican ceramics and hand-painted items)
(More to come!)

ORGANIZATIONS

International Institute of Akron (We enrich the vitality of our community by helping immigrants achieve an empowered life with dignity, connection, and belonging.)
Comite Mexicano de Cleveland (The Comité Mexicano de Cleveland is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Mexican art and culture, supporting Mexican residents, and facilitating academic and social research related to the Mexican community in Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.)
Axess Family Services (Axess Family Services (AFS) provides access to comprehensive healthcare, behavioral health services, and social services. AFS serves over 350,000 adults and children annually and offers a wide-range of social services throughout Northeast Ohio, and parts of Pennsylvania and Michigan.)
Eliot Kokolvich, Summit County Prosecutor (Devoted to making the criminal justice system accessible to the residents of Summit County.)
Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center (At Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, we are committed to the prevention of violence through action and empowerment, and providing trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking in Medina and Summit Counties, Ohio.)
La Mega Cleveland AM 1300, 93.1 FM
Zing Health (Zing Health was founded in 2019 by two African American physician entrepreneurs, Eric E. Whitaker, MD, MPH, and Kenneth Alleyne, MD, along with co-founders Health2047 and healthcare executive Garfield Collins, to address inadequacies in the healthcare system by creating collaborative, community-based Medicare Advantage plans.)
(More to come!)

Parking

Nearby parking options include:

The State Street (O'Neil's) Parking Deck, 52 W. State St. is a 2-minute walk to Lock 3. Just park in the deck & take the elevator to Lock 3.

Interested in learning about sponsorship for this year's festival? View the available opportunities here.

Read the recap of the 2025 Akron Latin Festival.

The 2026 Akron Latin Festival is presented by Proyecto RAICES, Downtown Akron Partnership, and the City of Akron. Additional support is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, GAR Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, Lock 3, the Raices Employee Resource Group at the J.M. Smucker Co., the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, and Akron Civic Commons.

Additional thanks to the 2026 Akron Latin Festival planning committee, made up of organizations and individuals from the Akron Latin community.