Arts + Eats

Where to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in and Around Seattle

From festivals to parades, these Seattle-area events will have you celebrating all month

A boy dances with his family at a fiesta.

Published on: September 4, 2026

Estimated reading time:

6 minutes

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. 31
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 (and more) of Hispanic Heritage Month. From celebratory festivals and concerts to parades and nature volunteer opportunities, check the schedule and find an event or two (or three!) that suits your crew. 

Mariners Hispanic Heritage Day

Date and time: Thursday, Sept. 10, 1:10 p.m.
Cost: $51.76–$66.16

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 Latina, a local nonprofit that works with Latino immigrants.

Arlington Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 12, 3:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Arlington celebrates the Hispanic community with dance and music performances, free loteria games (similar to bingo) for all ages, food trucks and other vendors. The fun takes place at Legion Park, downtown.

Families enjoy activities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Arlington.
Loteria games are part of the family fun at Arlington’s Hispanic Heritage celebration. Photo: courtesy City of Arlington

El Grito de Independencia With Lucha Libre

Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2–5 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.

El Grito: Celebrating Mexico’s Independence

Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 13, 1–5 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 followed by a fiesta with food, dancing and more. 

¡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. 

Families marvel at fish and other sea creatures in a huge tank at the Seattle Aquarium.
Catch special programming in Spanish and English during Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo: courtesy Seattle Aquarium

Latine/x Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt at Tacoma Public Libraries

Date: Daily, Sept. 15–Oct. 15
Cost: Free

Take part in an ongoing scavenger hunt at all Tacoma Public Library branches to learn more about inspiring Latinas and earn a prize!

Spotlight at the Waterfront: La Quemada

Date and time: Thursday, Sept. 17, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free

Bring the whole family to experience an evening of music, culture and creativity at Pier 58’s weekly Spotlight at the Waterfront series. The concert is held at the amphitheater of the Salish Steps located at the bottom of the scenic Overlook Walk at sunset.

Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal: Celebrating the Culture and Indigenous Traditions of Mexico

Date and time: Friday, Sept. 18, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Head to the Edmonds Library to discover traditional music, costumes and storytelling through folklórico dance celebrating Mexico’s cultural heritage, performed by Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal.

Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias Parade

Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 19, 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. 19–20
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.

A musician blows a trumpet during the Seattle Center's Fiestas Patrias.
Join the party at Fiestas Patrias, one of the cultural events in Seattle Center’s Festál series. Photo: Susan Fried

Noche de Cuentos, Piñatas y Loteria

Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 19, 6–7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Decorate a piñata, play loteria and sample duros and agua fresca at this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for all ages at the Mariner Library in Everett. Cap off the evening with a themed story time.

Washington State Fiestas Patrias

Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 20, 1–6 p.m.
Cost: Included with fair admission ($13–$18; 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.

Ajolote Mixed Media Art Workshop

Date: Sept. 25 and 29
Cost: Free

Did you know that axolotls, the cute salamanders you see in aquariums, are native to Lago Xochimilco in Mexico City? Learn more about these fascinating creatures then create your own mixed media art collage using paints, markers and more. Sessions are available at the Greenbridge and Mercer Island libraries.

Fiesta de la Familia

Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 26, noon–6 p.m.
Cost: Free

Behold dancing horses, a mariachi band and charros doing roping tricks at this day-long fest at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. There will also be a car show, children’s parade, live performances, food and so much fun for the whole family.   

A trio of mariachi musicians play traditional celebratory music.
Mariachi music is a lively part of community festivals and events during Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo: iStock

Lula Fest

Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 26, 1–9 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 the Capitol Theater in Olympia.  

Burien’s B-Town Fiesta

Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 27, 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.

Up and Atom: Mexican Folk Art Alebrijes

Date and time: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 3:30–5 p.m.
Cost: Free

During STEAM Days at the Swasey Library, elementary-age kids can design and build their own alebrijes, brightly colored mythical creatures from traditional Mexican folk art, using concepts like symmetry and color theory.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Covington Library

Date and time: Friday, Oct. 2, 2–3 p.m.
Cost: Free

Join a story time in Spanish followed by crafts to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Covington Library.

Fiesta del Maíz

Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 3, 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.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2–4 p.m.
Cost: Free

Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly fun celebrating the rich diversity of Hispanic heritage with live performances, cultural experiences and kids activities at The Village at Totem Lake in Kirkland. 

A dancer wearing a colorful dress performs for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Enjoy traditional dance performances during a local fiesta. Photo: Village at Totem Lake

Issaquah Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 4, 3–6 p.m.
Cost: Free

It’s a family dance party complete with music from different Spanish-speaking countries. Learn new dance moves and enjoy delicious snacks during this afternoon of fun, traditions and community at the Pickering Barn in Issaquah.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With The TurnUps

Date and time: Wednesdays, Oct. 14–28, 4–5 p.m.
Cost: Free

You have three chances during October to catch this energetic bilingual show featuring interactive songs, dancing, Spanish vocabulary and a whole lot of fun for all at the Renton Highlands Library.

Seattle Children’s Theatre Presents ‘I’ll Be Your Superhero’

Date: Select dates, Oct. 15–Nov. 1
Cost: Starting at $20

Penned by José Casas as part of the BIPOC Superhero Project, I’ll Be Your Superhero follows Xavier and his uncle John John as they discover their mutual love for superheroes and cosplay, helping them find their real selves on a trip to the world’s most famous Comic Con.

Kraken Hispanic Heritage Night

Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $50 for the game; $62.87 for special ticket offer with tumbler

Hockey fans, be sure to pick up tickets for a special Kraken Hispanic Heritage Night game at Climate Pledge Arena. A special tumbler designed by artist Andrew Gomez IV is available with the purchase of a special ticket offer.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2024 and was updated on Sept. 4, 2026, to include new Hispanic Heritage Month events for Seattle-area families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara.