Hispanic Heritage Festival in Charlotte Canceled Over Immigration Concerns
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – The Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas, scheduled for its fourth year at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, has been canceled for 2025 due to what organizers called a “challenging immigration climate.”
Organizers Cite Safety Concerns
In a statement, festival leaders said the decision was made after considering the well-being of the Latino community.
“After much thought and with the well-being of our community at heart, we have decided not to hold the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Knights baseball stadium this year,” organizers said. “The current immigration climate has created a challenging environment for large Latino events in our city.”
The Charlotte Knights, who host games at Truist Field, confirmed the festival’s cancellation and wished the organizers and community well.
ICE Activity Raises Fears in Latino Community
The decision comes during a year of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the Charlotte region. Organizers said this has created fear within Latino communities about attending large public gatherings.
While the Hispanic Heritage Festival was canceled, other events have gone ahead. In July, the Festival Colombiano took place in Uptown Charlotte, with organizers emphasizing the importance of cultural celebrations and the economic boost they bring to the city.
Looking Toward 2026
Despite this year’s cancellation, festival organizers promised to return in 2026 with a stronger, safer celebration.
“We are deeply grateful for the support and love we have received from our community over the years, and we promise to make our 2026 festival one to remember,” the statement read.
They emphasized that their priority is to provide an event with safety, great entertainment, and a full house for attendees.
Full details of the cancellation were reported by WCNC Charlotte.
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