How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
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Beautiful and colorful alebrijes and nahuales will be in downtown. Photo: Courtesy of Discovery Green
Weeks of festivities will fill Houston as the city celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.
Why it matters: Nearly half of Houstonians are Hispanic or Latino, and they shape the city's culture, traditions, politics and business.
The big picture: Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
- The month begins Tuesday, the independence anniversary of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence Wednesday, followed by Chile on Friday.
Here's how to celebrate:
🐢 Fantastic Animals at Discovery Green: Eight colorful, 20-foot alebrijes and nahuales sculptures take over Discovery Green from Tuesday through Oct. 18. The installation is based on works by Oaxacan artists and inspired by Mexican magical realism and Mesoamerican folklore.
- Discovery Green will also host free papier-mâché mask and small alebrije workshops Sept. 19 and Sept. 26.
🎶 Events at Miller Outdoor Theatre: The theater is hosting several free celebrations throughout the month, starting with El Grito on Tuesday, featuring Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México and a tribute to Juan Gabriel.
- Día de la Hispanidad returns Sept. 26 with music and dance from across the Latin world, including songs made famous by Celia Cruz, Maná and Karol G.
- Festival Chicano runs Oct. 1-3 with three nights celebrating Chicano music and culture, including Marcos Orozco, Little Joe y La Familia, and David Lee Garza.
⚾ Astros Hispanic Heritage Weekend: The Astros celebrate during their weekend series against the Atlanta Braves at Daikin Park.
- Friday includes a pregame celebration and Latin Party Mix fireworks, while Saturday features a Hispanic Heritage Street Festival with live music, food trucks and family activities.
🎉 Fiestas Patrias International Parade: The Houston tradition, founded in 1969, returns with folklórico dancers, floats and school bands Saturday in downtown.
💃 Festival de la Salsa: Midtown Park hosts a day of free live salsa music, dancing, food and art featuring performers and vendors representing cultures across Latin America on Saturday.
🇲🇽 México en el Corazón: More than 70 performers take over Discovery Green with ballet folklórico, regional costumes and Indigenous traditions, alongside a Flea by Night market featuring Latin food and vendors in the evening on Sept. 26.
🏛️ Museum days: Houston museums are featuring family days, performances and art activities.
- Children's Museum Houston is showcasing Hispanic culture during select Free Family Nights, including a Ballet Folklórico Herencia Mexicana performance Thursday. The museum is hosting a celebration on Saturday with Aztec dancers, mariachi, ballet folklórico, crafts and a Fiestas Patrias reenactment.
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has a free day at Rienzi on Sept. 27, with art activities, house tours, a Spanish-language guided tour and live flute and violin performances.