Latin things to do in NYC in August 2026 include the National Dominican Day Parade, Ecuadorian Parade and Festival, Battery Dance Festival, and more.
August is Black August, a time to remember the many wrongly-incarcerated people of color, and the Haitian Revolution which changed the world.
There are national days in Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Uruguay.
DANCE
Joyce Ballet Festival
Misty Copeland curates world-class choreographers and dancers from major companies with a focus on Black ballet. Includes choreography by Ingrid Silva, José Limón, Alonzo King, John Taras, and new work by Afro-Caribbean street dancer Ilo Elder. Dancers include Elias Re, Renan Cerdeiro, Victor Abreu, Alexandra Hutchinson, and more. African American, Brazilian, Dominican, Italian, and Mexican artists.
Joyce Theater
Chelsea, Manhattan
Tue-Sun, August 4-16, 2026 | 7:30pm with 2pm weekend matinees
$17+
HOLIDAYS
Pachamama
The Indigenous Andean earth goddess is celebrated in Quechua and Aymara communities as a living conscious being in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, plus parts of Argentina and Chile on August 1.
MUSIC
Jey One
Dominican dembow
La Casa del Mofongo and Piano Bar 207, Inwood
Sat, August 8, 2026 | Late, 8pm doors
$29+
Yasser Tejeda: Mezclansa Live
Dominican Latin Alternative
Afro-Dominican guitarist plays the album that made him famous
Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater
Fri, August 14, 2026 | 9:30pm
$30
About Yasser Tejeda
Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Jazz Ensemble
Puerto Rican Latin jazz and mambo
WBGO Presents Brunch
Blue Note
Greenwich Village
Sat, August 15, 2026 | 12:30pm and 2:30pm
$33+ and $20 minimum per person
Bebel Gilberto Tanto Tempo 25th Anniversary
Brazilian bossa nova
Electronic bossa nova album that launched her international career
City Winery Main Stage
Chelsea
Wed-Thu, August 19-20, 2026 | 7:30pm
$66+
Mon Laferte: Femme Fatale Tour
Chilean Mexican Latin Alternative
Radio City Music Hall
Midtown
Sat, August 22, 2026 | 8pm
$52+
Banda MS: Somos MS Tour
Regional Mexican banda sinaloense
Prudential Center
Newark, New Jersey
Sat, August 22, 2026 | 8pm
$142+
Asake: In God We Trust Tour
Nigerian Afrobeats
Barclays Center
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Wed, August 26, 2026 | 8:30pm
$52+
Grupo Frontera: Triste pero bien c*bron
American Música Mexicana
Prudential Center
Newark, New Jersey
Fri, August 28, 2026 | 8pm
$97+
NATIONAL DAYS
Beninese Independence Day
Benin (French Dahomey) became independence from France on August 1, 1960.
Nigerien Independence Day
Niger gained independence from France on August 3, 1960.
Burkinabè Independence Day
Burkina Faso (Republic of Upper Volta) became independent from France on August 5, 1960.
Bolivian Independence Day
Bolivia declared independence from Spain on August 6, 1825.
Jamaican Independence Day
Jamaica became the first English-speaking Caribbean island to win independence on August 6, 1962.
Ivorian Independence Day
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) became independent from France on August 7, 1960.
Ecuadorian Independence Day
Ecuador’s El Primer Grito de Independencia (The First Call for Independence) from Spain, was made on August 10, 1809.
Central African Independence Day
Central African Republic declared independence from France on August 13, 1960.
Haitian Bwa Kayiman
Dutty Boukman and Cécile Fatiman led the meeting in Bois Caïman (Alligator Woods) on August 14, 1791 to finalize plans for the uprising that launched the Haitian Revolution.
Congo-Brazzaville Independence Day
The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) celebrates full sovereignty from France on August 15, 1960.
Indian Independence Day
India gained full independence from the UK on August 15, 1947. Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and Martinique have historic Indian communities. The US and Canada also have large Indian communities. NYC’s Indian community is gaining power in The City.
Dominican Restoration Day
The Dominican Republic launched the war that restored Dominican sovereignty from Spain on August 16, 1863. It’s a major holiday in the RD, and the reason NYC’s National Dominican Day Parade is the second weekend in August.
Gabonese Independence Day
Gabon celebrates its full independence from France on August 17, 1960.
Indonesian Independence Day
Indonesia celebrates its declaration of independence from The Netherlands on August 17, 1945. Suriname and French Guiana in South America have historic Indonesian communities.
Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was launched on August 21, 1791. It was the only time in history when an enslaved people freed themselves and founded a republic (1804). The beginning of the end of human slavery changed the world.
Uruguayan Independence Day
Uruguay declared independence from Brazil on August 25, 1825.
Trinidadian Independence Day
Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Britain on August 31, 1962.
PARADES
Ecuadorian Parade
Northern Blvd: 69th St to 87/89th St
Jackson Heights, Queens
Sun, August 2, 2026 | 12-3pm
FREE
Next week’s Ecuadorian Festival cultural street fair is related.
National Dominican Day Parade Gala
Scholarship fundraiser
Community, cocktails, dinner, dancing
Greentree Country Club
New Rochelle, Westchester
Fri, August 8, 2026 | 8pm
South Asian Parade
37th Avenue
69th to 89th St
Jackson Heights, Queens
Sat, August 9, 2026 | 12-3pm
FREE
National Dominican Day Parade
World’s largest celebration of Dominican culture and heritage, outside the Dominican Republic
Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
35th St to 56th St
Sun, August 10, 2026 | 11am
FREE
India Day Parade
World’s largest Indian parade outside of India
Madison Avenue
38th St to 27th St
EXPECTED: Sun, August 16, 2026
FREE
Indians are Latin through the Caribbean, especially Trinidad. That’s why we have good curry at the West Indian Day Parade.
Bolivian Day Parade
37th Avenue from 69th to 89th St
Jackson Heights, Queens
Sun, August 16, 2026 | 12-3pm
FREE
SPORTS
Mets: Dominican Heritage Night
Mets vs Washington Nationals
Citi Field
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Fri, August 14, 2026 | 7:10pm
$17+
More…
NYCFC: Black Excellence Night
New York City FC vs Philadelphia Union
Last year’s Supporters’ Shield champion match is also an elite vs working-class rivalry
Major League Soccer
Yankee Stadium
Concourse, The Bronx
Sun, August 16, 2026 | 6:30pm
More…
THEATER
NYC Broadway Week Summer
2-for-1 Tickets to Popular Broadway Shows
Times Square Theater District
On Sale: Tue, August 18, 2026
Shows: September 8-20, 2026
More…