¡Saludos! The month celebrating the experiences, cultures, and contributions of Latina/e/o/x and Hispanic communities in the U.S. begins Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month was nationally recognized in 1988.
Why does this heritage month start in the middle of September? It marks a significant period in the region’s liberation from its colonizers. Costa Rica, El Salvador (¡mi gente!), Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. Mexico celebrates independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. Belize declared independence from the United Kingdom on Sept. 21, 1981.
Here are some ways you can celebrate this month:
🎉 What to do:
- 🇧🇷 Sept. 6: CBA’s Brazil Day ATX 2025 at Radio / East | McKinney
- 🇵🇷 Sept. 7: Bombazo Birthday Party at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center | Govalle
- 🤠 Sept 9: Muchacho Sanchez at Saxon Pub | Zilker
- 🤘 Sept. 12: Gina Chavez at Other Voices: 6th annual tribute to the songs of Nancy Griffith at Cactus Cafe | UT Campus
- 🎉 Sept. 13: Todos Somos Inmigrantes: A Benefit for Austin Sanctuary Network and Casa Marianella at Princeton Palace | Parker Lane
- 🎸 Sept. 14: Mariachi Rock Revolution at The Long Center for the Performing Arts | Bouldin Creek
- 🇬🇹 Sept. 15: Día de la Independencia Guatemala at Marimbas Bakery & Restaurant | North Lamar
- 🇲🇽 Sept. 15: Fiesta de la Independencia de México in Republic Square | Downtown Austin
- 🇨🇴 Sept. 17: BALTHVS at Historic Scoot Inn | East Cesar Chavez
- 🎞️ Sept. 19: Central American Film Festival at the Asian American Resource Center | North Austin
- 🥁 Sept. 20: Central American Music Festival at the Asian American Resource Center | North Austin
- 🪩 Sept. 20: 11th Annual Dancing Away Detention at Grassroots Leadership | Heritage Hills
- 🇵🇪 Sept. 27 & 28: Perú Unveiled at the Austin Central Library | Downtown Austin
- 🎵 Sept. 28: Chancha Via Circuito at Antone’s | Downtown Austin
- 😎 Oct. 2: 2025 HABLA con ORGULLO Awards at Austin Southpark Hotel | McKinney
🥑 Where to eat:
Austin has no shortage of Latin American restaurants — perhaps too many to list here. But our favorites include: Licha’s Cantina, Veracruz All Natural, Cafe Nena'i, El Naranjo, and Buenos Aires Cafe. Order the seasonal chiles en nogada if they’re on the menu!
🛍️ Where to shop:
🖼️ Mexic-Arte Museum has tons of cute T-shirts, socks, tote bags, hats, keychains, books, pins, patches, puzzles, greeting cards, and more in its store.
💅 Get your nails done or acquire a tooth gem at Dope Culture, a Latina-owned salon in South Austin. The salon also sells jewelry, nail care items, and more online.
🌸 Shop online at Las Ofrendas, a Latina-owned brand offering up great accessories, candles, jewelry, flower crowns, and literally anything else you can think of.
