Release Date: August 19,2026
Akron Latin Festival 2026 to Bring Food, Music, & Culture to Lock 3
August 18, 2026, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is pleased to announce that the 6th Annual Akron Latin Festival will be celebrated in downtown Akron at Lock 3 on Saturday, September 19, from 4 to 9 pm. The festival is co-presented by Proyecto RAICES and DAP.
Proyecto RAICES Executive Director Rita Aggarwal says, "Proyecto RAICES is honored to co-host this year's 6th annual Akron Latin Festival. Events like this do more than showcase incredible food, music, and art—they build bridges, foster pride, and serve as a reminder that Akron's Hispanic/Latino community is woven into the fabric of this city. Come celebrate, connect, and support the vendors and artists who bring this culture to life."
This is the fourth iteration of the celebration in downtown Akron, and takes place in the heart of Downtown Akron at Lock 3. Visitors can look forward to 20+ food and retail vendors representing many different Latin American cultures, as well as nonprofit engagement booths, free crafts and activities, piñatas, stilt walkers, face painting, balloon artist, and live entertainment throughout the day on the Maynard Performance Pavilion stage.
DAP President and CEO Kimberly Beckett says, “We are honored to continue the partnership with Proyecto RAICES to bring a joyful, vibrant celebration to downtown Akron. Hosting this festival at Lock 3 emphasizes the importance of gathering together and creating the invitation to celebrate the diversity and richness of our community in the heart of our city.”
Entertainment will include performances by Northeast Ohio bands Grupo Fuego, as well as DJ LOLO Knows, among others. Local dance groups will offer salsa lessons throughout the festival.
For the second year, there will be an opening ceremony involving a presentation of flags from different Latin American countries. Those interested in being part of the opening ceremony and carrying a flag can sign up by contacting DAP at info@downtownakron.com.
The festival is free and open to the public.
Learn more about the 2026 Akron Latin Festival: https://www.downtownakron.com/event/2026-akron-latin-festival
Learn more about the work Proyecto RAICES does to provide educational and social support to children of Latino/Hispanic families in the Akron area: https://proyectoraicescla.org/
DAP is committed to planning cultural festivals that are respectful, authentic, and co-created with the community. These festivals are planned by dedicated committees of Akronites and Greater Akronites with ties to each cultural celebration, whether they personally belong to a particular cultural group or are professionally affiliated with an organization that serves people of a particular background. Those interested in serving on the planning committee for Akron Latin Festival—or other cultural celebrations including the Downtown Akron Lunar New Year Celebration, Downtown Akron Sakura Festival and Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration—are invited to email info@downtownakron.com to sign up.
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, the Raices Employee Resource Group at the J.M. Smucker Co. and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.