Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) will host the 17th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival from October 8 to10, 2026. What started off as a small classical music event has since grown into a three-day festival, beginning with an art exhibit on Thursday, followed by musical performances on Friday and Saturday.
Director of the Hispanic Heritage Festival and Professor of Music, Michael O’Connor has received positive feedback over the years from students, the community as well as staff at neighboring schools.
“The faculty that came from other Universities expressed the fact that they thought it was such a great idea we were doing this [Hispanic Heritage Festival],” said O’Connor. “Attendees are complimentary of the artists that we bring in, because we bring in some fairly high-powered people.”
Musical Performers
The names headlining this year’s festival are Orquesta de la Playa, a Salsa Band, and the Piano Duo Gastezi-Bezerra.
Popular Bands take Center Stage
Orquesta de la Playa, a famous Cuban band founded in 1937, will perform from 7:30 to 8:30 on Friday night. The group is considered one of the first Cuban jazz bands and mix traditional Cuban popular music and Afro-Cuban jazz.
Internationally acclaimed Duo Gastesi-Bezerra will take the stage Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Pianists Estibaliz Gastesi and Márcio Bezerra have performed for over a decade, blending traditional and contemporary music for piano ensemble.
“In the past it’s all been classical music. That’s how the festival started,” said O’Connor. “But then we decided we’re going to make this a complete Hispanic Heritage festival and part of that, of course, is popular music.”
Celebration of Culture and Community
Hispanics make up roughly 20 percent of PBA’s student body – the second highest at the University – in a South Florida community that has a very large Hispanic population.
“We have a lot of Hispanic students here. We have a lot of Hispanic faculty. We have a lot of Hispanic folks in the community. We can show that we appreciate the arts that they bring and the richness that they bring to our culture here.”
The University is expecting roughly 400 people to attend over the three days.
“Hispanic culture is such a big part of South Florida culture. Naturally, it’s going to draw people who are familiar with this type of art and music. It also brings out people who want to learn more about it and who want to show their support for the Hispanic community. I think it’s a good thing for PBA to show our support for this particular community, which is a big part of who we are.
All performances are open to the public. PBA students and faculty can attend for free.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, 2026.
