San Francisco, Sept. 1, 2026 — Join San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) this fall for its ¡VIVA!: Latinx Heritage celebration. San Francisco’s rich Latinx heritage is highlighted in a diverse array of exciting free programs for all ages, including music performances, crafts, food programs, author talks, book clubs, film screenings and more.
Don’t miss a family-friendly ¡VIVA! Kickoff Party at the Main Library on September 26, honoring the vibrant cultures, traditions and creativity of Latinx communities. Enjoy live music from Francisco Herrera and TANGO INC, listen to local author Cynthia Gómez read from her new Gothic novel Muñeca and Jaime Cortez read from their critically acclaimed short story collection Gordo, and meet local community partners.
The festivities continue: SFPL’s annual beloved all-ages musical festival, Tricycle Music Fest, turns 15 this year, and the Library is celebrating quinceañera-style. The lineup features a full slate of Latinx artists, including Malinky Music, Lucky Diaz, Aguacate Music Kids and René y Familia. At every show, concertgoers are entered into a raffle for the chance to win a brand-new tricycle and a matching helmet. Tricycle Music Fest shows take place on September 18 and October 3, 10, 18 and 24. See the full schedule at sfpl.org/tricycle.
¡VIVA! programming has something for all ages to enjoy. For youth, make festive papel picado, create a faux stained-glass piece featuring calaveras— Day of the Dead skulls— and learn how important the llama is to Peru’s textile traditions and its role in mountain communities.
One of the most unique ¡VIVA! experiences for adults is a special tamale-making workshop presented in partnership between SFPL’s Latinx Affinity Center and its Chinese Center on September 20. Chef Olivia Melcalco, owner of Mi Comedor Catering, leads this bilingual, hands-on workshop where participants learn to prepare authentic, traditional Mexican tamales. The program will be presented in Spanish with a Chinese translator. Patrons of all ages are invited to join Chef Melcalco for additional tamale-making workshops on September 26, October 10 and October 17.
Additional activities for all ages include collage-making with artist Susana Gómez and Mayan art button-making at the Bay Area Maya Fest at the Mission Campus of City College on October 4. Join Zefania Creates for a visual storytelling workshop at Medicine for Nightmares on September 26 to help craft a visual story with an image of a loved one. On November 1, artist Calixto Robles builds his annual Día de los Muertos altar, accompanied by La Familia Peña-Govea, performing traditional songs from México.
On October 4, SFPL welcomes author Gina María Balibrera to the Main Library for a conversation with author Ash Huang. Together they will discuss The Volcano Daughters, Balibrera’s novel and the Library’s On the Same Page selection for September and October. The lyrical, politically charged novel is set against the backdrop of 20th-century El Salvador, where a brutal dictatorship shapes the lives of those who resist it. Blending myth, memory and historical fiction, Balibrera explores the enduring impacts of trauma, the resilience of women’s voices and the power of storytelling to reclaim silenced histories.
As part of the ¡VIVA! celebrations, explore a vibrant collection of themed booklists celebrating Latinx heritage. From movies, music and children’s books to works by Bay Area Latinx authors and Spanish-language titles, there’s something for everyone.
For more information about our programs and recommended reads, visit sfpl.org/viva.