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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 the 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: Select dates through Oct. 15
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 celebratory festivals and concerts to live mural-painting to storytelling, check the schedule and find an event or two (or three!) that suits your crew.
Spotlight at the Waterfront: Seattle Escribe
Date and time: Thursday, Sept. 11, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the whole family to experience spoken word poetry in Spanish by local poets at Pier 62’s weekly Spotlight at the Waterfront series held at sunset on the scenic Overlook Walk.
Mariners Hispanic Heritage Day
Date and time: Friday, Sept. 12, 7:10 p.m.
Cost: $51.76–$66.16
Root for the Mariners as they take on the Los Angeles Angels during Hispanic Heritage Day at T-Mobile Park. Your special main-level ticket includes a commemorative T-shirt and a donation made to Casa Latina, a local nonprofit that works with Latino immigrants.
Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias Parade
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 13, 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: Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 13–14
Cost: Free
Continue the celebration as Fiestas Patrias welcomes all with food demos, kids activities, folkloric performances and more. Join the party at Seattle Center.
Festival Herencia Latina
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 13, noon–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join this free annual community event celebrating South Sound Latine culture with live music and dance performances, art, food and mercadito, a little market with a variety of vendors offering jewelry, handcrafts and more. It’s all waiting for you and your family at the Tacoma Armory.
El Grito de Independencia With Lucha Libre
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
This Mexican Independence Day celebration features mariachis, food and festive fun for all at Centro Cultural Mexicano in Redmond. Don’t miss the main event — a special Lucha Libre performance symbolizing the heroes who fought for a free Mexico.
Arlington Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 13, 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Arlington celebrates the Hispanic community with dance and music performances, free Loteria games (similar to bingo) for all ages and a Glo dance party to top off the night. The fun takes place at Legion Park, downtown.
El Grito: Celebrating Mexico’s Independence
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 14, 2–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Be a part of a celebratory musical afternoon at Seattle’s Town Hall with an “El Grito” performance by Orquesta Northwest that will honor the cultural exchange and shared history of the United States and Mexico.
Washington State Fiestas Patrias
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 14, 1–6 p.m.
Cost: Included with fair admission ($13–$20; ages 5 and younger free)
The Washington State Fair hosts a full-day Fiestas Patrias Celebration featuring Mexican arts and culture. While you “Do the Puyallup,” take in traditional mariachis, colorful folkloric dancers, food and fun for the whole family. Concerts take place at 1 and 6 p.m.
¡Vamos al Acuario!
Date and time: Select dates, Sept. 15–Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission
The Seattle Aquarium celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a month of activities and talks presented in Spanish and English on select dates, including a digital scavenger hunt and special Toddler Time activities.
Mariachi Divas
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Cost: $20–$68.75
Catch the all-female group, Mariachi Divas, for a show of mariachi classics, jazz and pop in a celebration of culture, music and heritage at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Attend a special free preconcert talk with the group at 6 p.m. to get the lowdown on what to expect at the show. Must preregister.
Burien’s B-Town Fiesta
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 21, noon–8 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, a kids zone and more.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Family Dance Party
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 21, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
It’s a family dance party complete with games, surprises, delicious snacks, and yes, lots of grooving to salsa music! All are welcome so put on your dancing shoes and head to Pickering Barn in Issaquah.
La Hora del Cuento con Marco Cortes
Date and time: Monday, Sept. 22, 10–10:45 a.m.
Cost: Free
Children’s performer, Marco Cortes, will be at the Edmonds Library telling stories, singing songs and leading fun activities in Spanish and English to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fiesta del Maíz
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 27, noon–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Food, art and education are at the center of Fiesta del Maíz, a celebration of maíz and Mesoamerican indigenous cultures. Expect colorful artwork, activities for kids, and lots of delicious eats made from maíz.
Lula Fest
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 27, 1–8 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 the Capitol Theater in Olympia.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly fun celebrating the rich diversity of Hispanic heritage with live performances and cultural experiences at The Village at Totem Lake in Kirkland.
Aqui Mercado at Occidental Square
Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 28, noon–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Aqui Mercado brings its Lantinx-focused market to Occidental Square Park with over 45 vendors, live music and exciting performances. Stop by and join the fiesta!
Teen Drop-In: Loteria
Date: Oct. 2, 7 and 8
Cost: Free
Pierce County libraries are hosting Loteria drop-in sessions for teens at Key Center, Gig Harbor and Steilacoom branches during Hispanic Heritage Month. Stop by and try your hand at this lively game of chance.
STEAM Spotlight: Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 2, 4:30–6:30 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.
Kraken Hispanic Heritage Night
Date and time: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Cost: $46.65–$98.33
Hockey fans, be sure to pick up tickets for a special Kraken Hispanic Heritage Night game at Climate Pledge Arena. A portion of the ticket purchase will go to El Centro de la Raza, a hub for the Latino community in Washington state.
More fall festivities for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2024 and was updated on Sept. 9, 2025, to include new Hispanic Heritage Month events for Seattle-area families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara.
