Long Beach Public Library's eighth annual Vida Latina Celebration runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 31, with its first listed event, a free six-week run of concerts, storytelling, dance workshops and art installations at all 12 city branches. This year's theme, Alumbra Tu Vida — light up your life — threads through events ranging from a Los Angeles bolero-hip-hop trio's performance downtown to a community altar for Día de los Muertos at Harte Neighborhood Library.
A Citywide Series Rooted in Local Demographics
The series brings free programs and activities for children, teens, adults and families to all 12 branches, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Mayor Rex Richardson said the series helps communities experience culture together through music, food, art, stories and traditions, per the same report.
The celebration's Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 run also lines up with National Hispanic Heritage Month, a federally recognized 30-day period from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 established under Public Law 100-402 in 1988, according to the Library of Congress. Sept. 15 was chosen because it marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the same source notes.
Boleros, Bad Bunny Puppets and a Lotería Author
The festivities open with Una Tardeada con Boleros With Attitude, set for Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Billie Jean King Main Library at 200 W. Broadway, according to the Press-Telegram's event listing. The Los Angeles trio is profiled by Triad-Orbit, while the Press-Telegram's calendar describes the group as performing traditional Latin folk music, romantic boleros and original hip-hop.
Guatemalan-born author Mike Alfaro follows on Oct. 3 at 11 a.m., also at the main library, reading from his books Sí Sabo Kids: The Unbreakable Piñata and What Does Ñ Sound Like? Alfaro built a national following after publishing Millennial Lotería in 2018, a viral parody that modernized the Mexican bingo card game Lotería, whose roots date to Italy in the 15th century, according to The Independent. Elsewhere in the series, storyteller Josue Cuentacuentos will share Selena-themed storytime across multiple branches, and Christopher Sandoval and Jeanette Flores will lead Baile Con Nosotros dance workshops throughout October, including Mexican regional dance for children and family Latin dance sessions, per the Press-Telegram.
Día de los Muertos Altar Takes Shape at Harte
The Harte Neighborhood Library at 1595 W. Willow St. is turning its community room into a communal Día de los Muertos altar throughout October, and the branch is inviting residents to bring 5-by-7-inch photos of deceased loved ones to place on it. The installation reflects traditional Mexican Day of the Dead customs, according to the Signal Tribune. Harte will also host Día de los Muertos programming every Friday in October from 3 to 5 p.m., building toward a performance and storytelling workshop by Olga Loya on Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m.
Selena Tribute Closes Out the Series
A major celebration takes place Oct. 16 with La Gran Tardeada con Selenamos, running 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library at 5870 Atlantic Ave. The event features a children's Bad Bunny puppet show, a Latin idols costume contest, karaoke, and arts and crafts, per the Press-Telegram's listing, and guests are encouraged to dress as a favorite Latin music icon, cultural figure or lotería card. Selenamos, the tribute band headlining the night, is identified as a Selena tribute band by Voyage LA.
A Broader Push to Keep Programming Free
The 2026 Vida Latina series is co-sponsored by the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the Port of Long Beach, and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, according to a City of Long Beach release. Cathy de Leon said Vida Latina offers something for everyone and encouraged the community to discover something new together, according to the Press-Telegram.
Outside partners also co-sponsor the free programming. The main library hosts several of the series' marquee events. Long Beach Public Library provides a full Vida Latina events calendar and can be reached at 562-570-7500 for details on locations and times.
