In a city where Spanish is woven into everyday life, LéaLA (loosely translated into “read it”) has become more than a literary festival—it is a celebration of the language, stories, and cultural heritage that aims to bridge generations of U.S. Latinos and their ancestors south of the border.

LéaLA – The Spanish Language Book Fair & Literary Festival, organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, LéaLA will once again transform LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes into a vibrant gathering place for readers, authors, educators, filmmakers, poets, and families who share a love of literature and the Spanish language.

Now recognized as one of the country’s premier literary and cultural events, LéaLA continues its mission of fostering dialogue through books, critical thought, film, poetry, educational programming, and the exchange of ideas that connect communities across generations and borders.

This year’s theme, “The Stories That Unite Us Speak Spanish,” reflects the festival’s belief that language is more than a means of communication—it is a powerful connection to identity, family, and cultural heritage.

Held in the historic Olvera Street district, the festival brings together voices from the United States, Mexico, and Latin America, offering attendees the opportunity to discover new authors, participate in literary conversations, attend cultural presentations, and enjoy family-friendly programming—all free of charge.

Honoring the Stories We Inherit

One of the most meaningful additions to this year’s festival is “The Voice of Memory,” a community writing contest that invites participants to celebrate the people whose stories helped shape their lives.

Rather than focusing solely on published works, the initiative encourages writers of all ages to share the anecdotes, traditions, life lessons, and cherished memories passed down by grandparents, parents, mentors, and other influential figures.

The contest underscores one of LéaLA’s central messages: some of our most powerful stories are first told at home.

A Cultural Bridge Through Literature

Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, with support from the philanthropic legacy of Phyrrha Gladys Grodman, LéaLA has become an important cultural bridge connecting Spanish-speaking communities throughout the Americas.

“Spanish is the language that carries our memories, traditions, and stories,” organizers note. “Through literature and storytelling, we preserve our past while inspiring future generations.”

The festival is also supported by the University of Guadalajara Alumni Association in Los Angeles and numerous public and private institutions committed to promoting literacy, education, and cross-cultural understanding.

Event Information

LéaLA – The Spanish Language Book Fair & Literary Festival

Dates: September 24–27, 2026

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Admission: Free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.lea-la.com.

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LéaLA returns to Los Angeles with the gift of knowledge. The city’s literary and cultural heartbeat is alive this weekend as the LéaLA Spanish-Language Book Fair and Literary Festival opens its tenth edition at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in the heart of Olvera Street. Running September 25–28, the festival brings together authors, educators, artists, filmmakers, and families to celebrate the power of books, ideas, and storytelling during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, LéaLA has become the most ambitious platform in the U.S. dedicated to Spanish-language books and thought. This year’s theme, “Let’s Build Peace Together,” underscores the festival’s commitment to promoting dialogue, cultural pride, and community connection through literature and the arts.

Created for all ages

Over four days, visitors can enjoy a completely free program featuring:

• Author readings and conversations with acclaimed writers from Mexico, the U.S., and across Ibero-America, including José Ignacio Valenzuela (“El Chascas”), Xavier Velasco, María Baranda, Toño Malpica, Benito Taibo, and Jorge F. Hernández.
• Film screenings, such as La Falla by filmmaker Alana Simões, exploring the emotional lives of children in rural Jalisco.
• The beloved Poetry Hub, where voices from both sides of the border share their work in an interactive setting led by Gaspar Orozco and Ilana Luna.
• Children’s workshops, expanded this year to ten sessions in partnership with the University of Guadalajara’s Letras para Volar initiative, offering storytelling, music, and creative activities to inspire a love of reading among young audiences.
• Educational panels within the Forum of Ideas, focused on the transformative power of education and bilingual learning, with leaders from LAUSD and academic institutions in Mexico and California.

“Our 2025 theme, ‘Let’s Build Peace Together,’ reflects our mission to create spaces for thinking, reflecting, and growing in harmony,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, LéaLA’s general director.

Gustavo Padilla, president of the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, emphasized the festival’s role in education: “The Forum of Ideas is designed to promote equity, inclusion, and international academic collaboration. It’s about building bridges through language and learning.”

With more than 40 publishers and the University of Guadalajara’s Carlos Fuentes Bookstore on-site, attendees can browse and purchase a wide variety of Spanish-language titles.

Since its first edition in 2011, LéaLA has drawn tens of thousands of readers, students, and families, building a loyal following in Los Angeles. With support from community institutions, educational partners, and sponsors like DirecTV, the 2025 festival marks a milestone tenth edition.

Festival Details

? LéaLA – Spanish-Language Book Fair and Literary Festival
? September 25–28, 2025 | 9 AM – 7 PM daily
? LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
? www.lea-la.com
? All activities are free and open to the public

From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on workshops and live performances, LéaLA offers something for everyone—whether you’re a lifelong reader, an educator, or a family looking for enriching cultural activities.

Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making books, stories, and creativity part of your weekend in the heart of Los Angeles.

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In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month LeaLA makes it official kick-off on September 19, 2024 with a special performane of El Mariachi a blend of storytelling and music, offering a unique tribute to Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.

Through humor, irony, and poignant self-reflection, this performance tells the captivating story of a disillusioned mariachi singer seeking to escape the stereotype of the “Mexican macho,” and his quest for artistic freedom while exploring the complexities of Mexican identity and cultural values. 

Author Juan Villoro will bring his celebrated story to life with a powerful reading, accompanied by esteemed writers Hernán Bravo Varela and Jorge F. Hernández, performing timeless Mexican classics by legendary artists such as José Alfredo Jiménez, Pedro Infante, Juan Gabriel, and Antonio Aguilar.

This first day sets the richness of the programming of the four day event which will be offering authors and book panels, readings, music, and activations. Also in the three day following, kids from LASD will be bussed in to take part on countless workshops and activities that LEALa will be offering for free activations and special workshops for kids, and all are free!

Highlights include thought provoking conversations on identity, poetry, women empowerment panels and a musical experience entitled Tocada Y Fuga created and performed by musician and director Sergio Arau accompanied by his wife and actress Yareli Arizmendi.

The same d will be a panel on film identity on September 20 at 5pm and immediately following there will be a 20th anniversary screening A Day Without a Mexican directed by Sergio Arau on Friday, Sept\. 20th at 4PM.

The full schedule can se seen HERE .

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LeaLA, organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, is the largest book fair for books in Spanish in Los Angeles and it is back again this year during Hispanic Heritage Month from September 19 to 22 at La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes.

As in previous years, LéaLA will bring together writers and creators from Mexico, the United States, and other Ibero-American countries to engage in discussions with the community over four dynamic days. The event will feature free activities, including discussions on literature, contemporary thought, cinema, gastronomy, comedy, music and film. 

Cristina Rivera Garza, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Invincible Summer of Liliana, will lead an emotional collective performance, highlighting passages from her book and raising awareness of gender violence and the urgent need to recognize the signs of such violence.

On Friday, September 20, there will be a screening of A Day Without a Mexican, a film marking its 20th anniversary, which remains relevant for its sharp take on immigration. The filmmakers, Yareli Arizmendi and Sergio Arau, will be present. This dynamic duo will also present the show Tocada y Fuga on Saturday, September 21. This performance ingeniously integrates famous classical melodies in Arau’s unique style, set within a story of betrayal and justice, featuring rhythms of ska, salsa, blues, and even punk.

“We invite everyone to join LéaLA and help fulfill its mission of celebrating our Latin roots, which creates a stronger bond among us, uniting us under one banner: Spanish,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, Executive Director of LéaLA.

LéaLA 2024 will also feature discussions on cinema, literature, the writing process, and the history of Mexico and its gastronomy, including a talk titled, De chile, dulce y de manteca: How Do Mexicans Eat in California? This conversation will delve into traditions, history, innovation, and adaptation.

The complete program and list of invited personalities will be available on the event’s website, www.lea-la.com.

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