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Jersey City is continuously celebrated for its diverse culture, and this summer, its Hispanic heritage will take center stage. During one weekend in August, a beloved annual event honoring the local Puerto Rican community and arts scene returns for its 65th year. The Jersey City Puerto Rican Day Parade + Festival, taking place on August 16th and 17th, will showcase live music, games, food trucks, and more for attendees to enjoy. Read on for what to know about the Jersey City Puerto Rican Day Parade + Festival, happening this August in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Event Details
Presented by the local non-profit Jersey City Puerto Rican Heritage, Arts + Culture (JCPRHAC), the annual Jersey City Puerto Rican Day Parade + Festival returns for 2025 as a two-day event on August 16th and 17th from 12PM to 9PM.
Now in its 65th year, the community event kicks off that Saturday at Christopher Columbus Drive, between Marin Boulevard and Warren Street. As a part of “Freestyle Saturday,” the first day of the festival will feature live performances from artists such as Voyce, Clear Touch, Fascination, and Borique Posse. The second day of the event, titled “Salsa Sunday,” boasts entertainers Johnny Rivera + Ray Sepulveda.
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The vendor list has yet to be announced, but it will include a diverse range of food trucks and local makers.
The parade takes place Sunday, August 17th, kicking off at 12PM from Lincoln Park, located at 1 County Road 605. Parade organizers are promising “energy, culture, and pride to the streets,” as per a social media post.
About JCPRHAC
Stemming from “a need for cultural identification” at the time, New Jersey residents Rafael Rodriguez, Diego Berrios, Juan Benitez, Primitivo Valle, Rafael Bou, and Santiago Bonilla founded JCPRHAC in 1961. For the past 65 years, JCPRHAC has dedicated itself to “[promoting] and [strengthening] the multi-faceted historical, cultural and artistic diversity” of Jersey City’s Puerto Rican community, according to the organization’s website.
Self-proclaimed as the “largest parade celebrating Puerto Rican culture in New Jersey,” the organization held its first-ever community event in 1961, marking the beginning of what would become a rich tradition rooted in cultural expression and creativity.
Aside from the annual festival, JCPRHAC hosts cultural events throughout the year, including flag raisings, galas, brunches, fundraisers, holiday gatherings, and more.
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