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It’s Hispanic Heritage Month. What better time to gather the family and try a new food, learn traditional dances, or hear stories in Spanish at a lively festival, parade, exhibition, story time or other event? There are plenty of options out there and I, for one, am excited to join the celebración. Best of all, most events are free!
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx people in the United States whose roots are in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean or Central and South America. But why does it start in the middle of the month? The time frame is significant because it encompasses the anniversaries of independence of many Latin American countries. Originally a week-long celebration established back in 1968, it was expanded to an entire month in 1988.
Mexam NW Festival
Date and time: Select dates through Oct. 19
Cost: Varies by event, many are free
Curated by the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Mexam NW is a multi-event festival spanning the entire region, as well as the duration of Hispanic Heritage Month. From live mural painting to outdoor concerts, check the schedule and find an event or two (or three!) that suits your crew.
Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias Parade
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Latino culture and the independence of Latin American countries by joining the community in South Park for a parade with floats, hot rods, dancers, bands, horses and more.
Seattle Fiestas Patrias
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 14–15
Cost: Free
Continue the celebration as Fiestas Patrias welcomes all for food demos, kids activities, folkloric performances and more. Join the party at Seattle Center.
Tacoma Moon Festival
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 14, 1–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Tacoma’s Moon Festival offers a mash-up of celebrations focusing on both AAPI and Mexican and Lantinx traditions at this Welcoming Week event held at Chinese Reconciliation Park. There will be flamenco dance and mariachi music alongside Chinese opera and lion dance performances.
El Grito: Celebrating Mexico’s Independence
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 15, 1–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Be a part of a celebratory musical afternoon at Seattle’s Town Hall with a performance by Orquesta Northwest and special guests that will transport you throughout Latin America. The concert is followed by an “El Grito” ceremony celebrating Mexican independence.
Mariners Hispanic Heritage Day
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 15, 1:10 p.m.
Cost: $58
Root for the Mariners as they take on the Texas Rangers during Hispanic Heritage Day at T-Mobile Park. Your special main-level ticket includes a commemorative T-shirt and a donation made to Casa Latino, a local nonprofit that works with Latino immigrants.
Celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day
Date and time: Friday, Sept. 20, 3–4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Lynnwood Library is hosting an all-ages Hispanic Heritage Month celebration where you and your family can play Loteria (a Bingo-like game played in Mexico), make crafts and learn about Mexico’s Independence Day. Preregister.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Westfield Southcenter
Date and time: Friday, Sept. 20, 3:30–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Westfield Southcenter hosts a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with a live flamenco performance, delicious food and a chance to win exciting prizes. Stop by the south entrance to find all the festivities.
Burien’s B-Town Fiesta
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cost: Free
It’s an all-day celebration of Latinx heritage and culture at Burien’s Town Square Park. The entire community is invited to join the fun with live music, dance lessons, the Kids Zone and more.
SeaTac MicroMercado
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 21, 1–5 p.m.
Cost: Free; items for purchase
Head to the Roadhouse inside the Angle Lake Light Rail Station for an afternoon of cultural performances, community, and supporting local businesses with friends and family. Be one of the first 25 people to show up and receive a goodie bag filled with free swag!
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
It’s a fee-free day at Washington State Parks where you can park without a Discover Pass, making it an ideal time to head to Olympia’s Millersylvania State Park for a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration with Latinx music, dance, food and guided nature walks.
Lula Fest
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 28, 3–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the whole family for live music, vendors, food trucks, custom cars and more during a festive celebration of Hispanic and Latinx heritage at Isthmus Park in Olympia.
Sabor Latino Dance Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 28, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy an evening of vibrant rhythms that will get the whole crew dancing salsa, cumbia, bachata and merengue at the Marysville Opera House. There will also be food trucks and refreshments. Preregister.
¡Vamos al Acuario!
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission, tickets range from $27.95–$52.95 for ages 13 and older, and $16.77–$31.77 for children ages 4–12. Children ages 3 and younger are free.
The Seattle Aquarium celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a day of activities and talks presented in Spanish and English, including “hora del cuento,” or story time, for kids. It’s also a great opportunity to explore the Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion.
Make a Frida Kahlo Catrina Doll
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2–3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Teen and tween art buffs can design, assemble and color their own Frida Kahlo Catrina doll as they learn about the legacy of the artist’s traditional Oaxacan costume at this Issaquah Library workshop. Preregister.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Family Dance Party
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 29, 6–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
It’s a family dance party complete with games, surprises, delicious snacks, and yes, lots of moving to music from different Spanish-speaking countries. All are welcome so put on your dancing shoes and head to Pickering Barn in Issaquah.
Stories That Spark Change: An Evening with Graphic Novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez
Date and time: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join this all-ages discussion and book signing with author and artist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez at the Gates Foundation Discover Center. The creator of La Borinqueña, a Puerto Rican superhero, will talk about his cultural heritage and the importance of representation in media. Preregister.
Celebrating Culturas: Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Date and time: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 5:30–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
There will be mariachi music and Spanish story time at this bilingual celebration of culturas held at the Covington Library. Plus, drop in to make a paper bag piñata craft and play Loteria.
STEAM Spotlight: Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 3, 4–6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission on Free First Thursday
Teens and youth are invited to connect with scientists from the Latine community and learn about STEAM careers by visiting different booths at the Burke Museum.
Fiesta del Maíz
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Food, art and education are at the center of Fiesta del Maiz, a celebration of maiz and Mesoamerican indigenous cultures. Expect Aztec dance groups, activities for kids, and lots of delicious eats like tamales, elotes, arepas and more.
Teotihuacan Masks
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 11, 4–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
School-age kids can make a Teotihuacan mask from the ancient Mesoamerican city with artist Amaranta Sandys during a workshop at either Steilacoom or Gig Harbor Library.
Family Day: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 12, 1–4 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission ($12–$20; ages 5 and younger free)
The Museum of Glass in Tacoma celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month during October’s Family Day with themed crafts and a performance by dance group Joyas Mestizas.
