¡Saludos! Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. With D.C.’s Latine community being under threat due to Trump’s federal takeover, this year's celebrations are more important than ever. Joy and good times are their own form of protest, and D.C. has no shortage of either this month.
Why does this heritage month start in the middle of September? It marks a significant period in the region’s liberation from its European colonizers. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared independence on Sept. 15, 1821. Mexico celebrates independence on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18, and Belize on Sept. 21.
Here are some ways you can celebrate this month:
🎞️ Latin American Film Festival (Sept. 18 - Oct. 9)
One of North America’s largest and longest-running showcases of Latin American cinema. View award-winning films, panels with filmmakers, and attend embassy-hosted parties all month long.
🎤 Raíces y Ritmos DC Artist Showcase (Sept. 19)
This showcase of Latine poets and writers from across the DMV takes place at Dupont Underground by Tintas DC.
🎵 Mt. Pleasant Cumbia Festival (Sept. 20)
Party at the first annual Mt. Pleasant Cumbia Fest in Lamont Plaza! The event is headlined by one of our team's favorite local Cumbia bands, Bongo District. There is also an afterparty at Marx Cafe that goes late.
🎛️ Vibras At Culture DC Set (Sept. 20)
Latin music party collective Vibras is bringing their sound to Culture, where DJ’s Anthony Raad and Melina will take over the decks and keep you dancing until 3 a.m.
🍽️ Pupusa Making at El Tamarindo (Sept. 24)
Learn how to make delicious pupusas and then eat them at El Tamarindo while connecting with new friends and neighbors. The cost is $25/person and includes a welcome drink.
🖼️ Fotos y Recuerdos Festival (Sept. 27)
Head to the Kogard Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery for this bilingual event for all ages. Learn about Latine artists from the museum and celebrate with a day of art making, dancing, museum tours, story times, and book signings.
🪩 MARICOTECA Anniversary Party (Sept. 27)
This DC-based queer and trans Latine dance party celebrates indie and underground sounds from Latin America. Their anniversary party at DC9 will feature DJs Cybersyn, El Sucio, Kristy la rAt spinning all night long.
👯 Lowriding Family Festival (Sept. 27)
This family-friendly event celebrates the opening of the Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture exhibit at the National Museum of American History. The festival includes lowrider cars and bikes, live music, hands-on activities, and a documentary screening.
💃 Fiesta DC (Sept. 27 & 28)
The nation’s largest Latino festival, and D.C.’s cornerstone Hispanic Heritage Month event, this two day celebration has a parade, several stages for bands and performances, endless food vendors, artisan exhibits, and is just generally one of the most fun parties of the year!
🎉 Fiesta Fairfax (Oct. 4)
Old Town Square in Fairfax will transform into a space for bands, dancing, food vendors, and arts for the afternoon, all celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
