Hispanic Heritage Festival Will Return To Livingston: 2026 Local Events

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Livingston. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

¡Llegó la hora! The time has come for Livingston's fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Festival. On Sunday, Sept. 20, Sazón Livingston and the Livingston Committee for Diversity & Inclusion invite the community to celebrate the vibrant traditions of Livingston's Latin community at an event that has become a beloved local tradition.

Festivities begin at 12:45 p.m. with a flag raising at Livingston Town Hall followed by a Parade of Flags that concludes at the Livingston Gazebo (on the Oval). From 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the gazebo will come alive with live music and dance performances, a DJ, food trucks, and much more.

Beyond the main stage, the festival offers a full afternoon of family activities. Little ones and parents alike can enjoy face painting, a 360-degree spin photo booth, two bouncy houses, and colorful Mexican piñatas. Kids can take part in soccer drills with EST Soccer Academy, activities from Livingston Gym, and hands-on fun at the Creatif Art Academy kids' corner. Guests can also meet the Spanish teachers of "Los Profes del Sabor" to make mini piñatas and play trivia, and stop by the Livingston High School club "Her Roots Her Power" for arts and crafts. There's something for every member of the family.

Attendees also will be able to savor the flavor of Sazon by sampling the tastes of the following food vendors:

• Viva Guacamole — Mexican food
• Cubita Truck — Cuban food
• Deluxe Truck — Latin mix
• Lomo Truck — Peruvian food
• Little Café — lemonade stand
• Scoop Theory — ice cream stand

The 2026 Hispanic Heritage Festival is free and open to the public.

Event Details

• What: Livingston's Fourth Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival
• When: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Flag raising 12:45 p.m.; festival 1:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Where: Flag raising at the Livingston Town Hall; celebration at the Livingston Gazebo/Oval
• Cost: Free and open to all

Schedule of Events

• 12:45 p.m. — Flag raising at Livingston Town Hall
• 1:00 p.m. — Parade of Flags
• 1:20 p.m. — Zumba with Laura, Liz, and Frannie
• 1:40 p.m. — Sazón Kids Dance Club, featuring Livingston kids
• 1:55 p.m. — Peruvian dance, presented by the Consulado Peruano
• 2:15 p.m. — Mariachis (Yale University)
• 2:35 p.m. — Sazón Kids perform "Dai Dai"
• 2:40 p.m. — Euforia Dance Studio, "Tango"
• 2:50 p.m. — México Dance Team, led by Cris Campos
• 3:10 p.m. — Balcón Andino (Ecuadorian group)
• 3:25 p.m. — DJ: Conga to the piñata
• 3:35 p.m. — Pinata and DJ set/Dancing
• 3:55 p.m. — Singer Félix Sánchez
• 4:15 p.m. — Cumbia band
• 5:00 p.m. — End of program

Activities Throughout the Day

• 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — Creatif Art Academy Kids' Corner
• 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — Meet your Spanish teachers, "Los Profes del Sabor": make mini piñatas and play trivia
• 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — LHS club "Her Roots Her Power": arts and crafts
• 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Face painting (outside the gazebo area)
• 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — 360 spin photo booth
• 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — Two bouncy houses
• 3:00 p.m. — Livingston Gym activities (at their table)
• 3:00 p.m. — EST Soccer Academy drills (lawn area)
• 4:00 p.m. — Mexican piñatas (inside the gazebo)

Background

Sazón, meaning “seasoning” or “flavor” in Spanish, represents the unique blend of traditions, customs, and diverse backgrounds that make the Hispanic community so culturally rich. It signifies the vibrant and distinctive flavors of Hispanic culture, encompassing various elements such as music, art, food and heritage.

Livingston's Sazón celebration started in 2023, when then-high school senior Jessica Aldana noticed Livingston celebrated many of its cultural communities but had no event for Latinos. She set out to create a celebration of Latin pride and heritage, enlisting Latina Moms of Livingston—a Facebook group led by her mother, Lorena Aldana—along with Assemblywoman Rosaura Bagolie and teacher Laura Tamayo. What began with these women's passion and determination has grown into an annual tradition showcasing the beauty and diversity of Latin American and Caribbean culture.

About Sazón Livingston

Sazón Livingston is a community-led organization dedicated to celebrating and uplifting Livingston's Latinx community. In partnership with the Livingston Committee for Diversity & Inclusion, it produces the town's annual Hispanic Heritage Festival showcasing the traditions, food, music, and pride of Latin American and Caribbean cultures.

About Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI)

The Livingston Committee for Diversity & Inclusion (LCDI) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Livingston community. By organizing events and initiatives that celebrate our residents' cultural heritages, LCDI works to build understanding, respect, and unity—creating a warm, welcoming hometown for all. LCDI is looking for new members. Residents can volunteer by completing the volunteer application at livingstonnj.org/Volunteer

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