Three days. Calder Plaza. Mariachi from the main stage, folklórico in the street, forty-some vendors, and El Grito on Saturday night. Bring the family.
Gates open. Bienvenida — papel picado up, vendors open.
Crafts, games, and room to run.
Gates open. Bienvenida — vendors and food row open.
Piñatas, face painting, kids’ crafts.
The festival’s central cultural moment. The same shout, every September since 1810.
Amistad Latina · Sonido Latino · Sonido Barba Azul
Gates open. Bienvenida — vendors open, family zone running.
Break dancers.
Free health screenings and resources for the whole family.
Lowriders, classics, bikes — free to walk the rows. Register your ride ↓
The final set. Until next year.
Mostly Mexican-owned. Every vendor vetted, every dish made fresh on site.
Trompo-cut pork, pineapple, cilantro.
Grilled street corn. Crema, cotija, lime.
Verde, rojo, rajas con queso.
Cinnamon-sugar, made-to-order.
Jamaica, horchata, tamarindo.
Fruit-forward, dairy, the rainbow.
Beyond the food row — small Mexican-owned makers, importers, and family stalls set up across the plaza all weekend.
Talavera, papel picado, hand-painted wood, alebrijes, woven baskets, leatherwork. Pieces brought in from Oaxaca, Puebla, Michoacán.
Embroidered blouses, guayaberas, rebozos, huipiles, charro shirts. Traditional Mexican garments for kids and adults — perfect for the Grito.
Filigree silver from Taxco, beadwork from Huichol artisans, copper from Santa Clara, semi-precious stones. Handmade, one of a kind.
Interested in vending? Apply here →
Candy paint, wire wheels, and fifty years of West Michigan car culture on the plaza. All makes and models are welcome — lowriders, classics, lowrider bicycles, motorcycles, and 3-wheelers.
Register and pay online — your spot is confirmed instantly. Sponsorship or vendor questions: franco@mhawm.org — or apply as a vendor.
Calder Plaza
320 Ottawa Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Underground parking is below the plaza — entrance off Monroe Avenue (paid). Additional lots within 2 blocks. DASH and The Rapid bus lines stop adjacent to the plaza.
Admission is free. Food and drink are cash and card — most vendors accept both. Bring $40–60 per person for a full-day of food and treats.
The family zone runs all weekend with piñatas, face painting, and kids' craft tables. Stroller-friendly. Changing tables in the portable restrooms.
The plaza is wheelchair-accessible. ADA-priority seating reserved at the main stage. ASL interpretation during El Grito and the Reinita presentation.
Rain or shine — we've run in both. Main stage is covered; bring an umbrella for the food row. In case of severe weather, the level below Calder Plaza serves as our emergency shelter. Check our Instagram for updates.
For everyone's safety, bags are checked at every entrance. Clear/transparent bags only (vinyl, plastic, or PVC), max 12" × 12" × 6". No backpacks, large purses, or duffel bags. Diaper bags are allowed but will be checked. No outside alcohol, no glass, no weapons.
Mexican, Mexican-American, Latine, or none of the above — if you show up, you belong here. Family-friendly, multi-generational, by design.
Yes. Admission has been free since 1969 and always will be. We're funded by sponsors, donations, and vendor fees.
No outside food, drinks, or alcohol. No glass containers, no cutters or weapons. Beer and food are sold inside; please support the vendors — they're the heart of the festival. Alcohol stays inside the gates; you cannot leave the gated area with a drink.
We go on. The main stage is covered. Light rain barely slows things down; heavy storms may delay performances but the festival runs. In case of severe weather, the level below Calder Plaza is our designated emergency shelter.
Underground parking is below Calder Plaza, with the entrance off Monroe Avenue (paid). Additional paid lots are within a 2-block walk. Street parking is metered on Fridays, free after 6 PM. Saturday and Sunday street parking is free.
Yes — we rely on 150+ volunteers each year. Sign up here.
Our padrino tiers run from $1,800 to $10,000, and vendor applications open each spring. Learn more →
