Hispanic Heritage Month is about to start with a bang, running from Sept. 15 until Oct. 15. Whether you're a part of the Latino community or just want to join in the celebrations, there's plenty to do, see and eat around D.C.
From street fests galore to trivia nights, here's how you can honor Hispanic Heritage Month in and around the District.
Hispanic Heritage Month events
Family Day: Hispanic Heritage Month
📅 Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
📍 Great Hall, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
💲 Free
🔗 Details
If you're a fan of words in two languages, the Library of Congress has a chance for you to make your own book inspired by cartoneras, books with hand-painted covers made from recycled cardboard. The tradition started in Argentina, but has since spread across Latin America. Got questions? The library's Hispanic Division staff experts will be there too.
Latinas in Aviation Global Festival
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📅 Sunday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
📍 College Park Aviation Museum, College Park, MD
💲 Free
🔗 Details
This College Park event is likely to stun, starting with a fly-in at 10 a.m. that's followed with air demos, a bilingual story time, community art, food and giveaways. The day ends with performances by Sol y Rumba Band and Sol y Mariachi.
Hispanic Festival
📅 Sunday, Sept. 15, 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.
📍 Lane Manor Splash Park, Hyattsville, MD
💲 Free
🔗 Details
If you're in full county fair mode this fall, but you want to add a little Latino flair, the Hispanic Festival in Prince George's County might just do the trick. Play some carnival games, check out foods from different Latin cultures, enjoy music and other live entertainment and then browse for some artisan wares. Parking and entrance to the fest are both free.
Live! At the Library: Latino Poets Spotlight
📅 Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
📍 Hispanic Reading Room, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera will join fellow poets Ruth Behar and Maria Kelson to read from their works and discuss Latino poetry. Poet Dan Vera is the moderator for the discussion. If you like what you hear -- or you've read it already and came in as a fan -- there will be a book signing after the panel.
Festival del Rio Anacostia
📅 Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
📍 Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Bladensburg, MD
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the outdoors at this festival put on by Prince George's County for the 9th year in a row. The party will include crafts, food, live animals, free boat rides and fishing demos, so it's a great chance to get out of the city and touch some grass (or water).
Trivia Night: Con Mucho Mucho Amor
📅 Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5-6:45 p.m.
📍 Kogod Courtyard, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC
💲 Free, with snacks and drinks available for purchase
🔗 Details
The National Portrait Gallery is teaming up with New Columbia Pub Quiz to host a happy hour trivia night focused on Latin culture.
Test your knowledge of Latin American art, history and culture in the U.S., individually or as part of a team of up to six people. The questions are inspired by the Portrait Gallery's collection, so if you don't have Walter Mercado's psychic abilities, a stroll through the museum could help you out.
The event is free, but the Portrait Gallery recommends registering ahead of time.
Festival Latinoamericano
📅 Friday, Sept. 17, 5-9 p.m.
📍 Arlington Mill Community Center, Arlington, VA
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Arlington County is hosting a community festival to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, complete with live music, artistic presentations, games, and of course delicious food.
Fotos y Recuerdos: Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
📅 Saturday, Sept. 28, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
📍 Kogod Courtyard, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC
💲 Free
🔗 Details
The National Portrait Gallery promises a family-friendly "day of art, dancing, museum tours, story times, book signings and more" at this party co-hosted by Lil' Libros. The bilinqual book, game and toy company will highlight Latino trailblazers with their books and portraits from the Portrait Gallery.
The best part? It's free, and there's no registration required.
Fiesta DC
📅 Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
📍 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
💲 Free, with food, drink and art available for purchase
🔗 Details
Self-billed as "the nation's largest Latino festival," this parade and street fest will include food, art, live performances and dancing. The big headline event is Sunday's "Parade of the Nations," giving all the different Latino communities of D.C. the chance to showcase their culture in the District.
Artists in Conversation: Latin Social Dance Workshop with Ballet Hispánico
📅 Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.
📍 Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA
💲 Free, but registration is required
🔗 Details
The City of Fairfax and George Mason University are teaming up to bring a new dance company to Virginia. Ballet Hispánico, a dance company designed to uplift and unite different Hispanic cultures, will host an interactive dance workshop to teach visitors how to salsa, merengue, cha cha and more.
The event is free to the public, but you have to register ahead of time.
Fiesta Fairfax
📅 Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 - 7 p.m.
📍 Old Town Square, Fairfax, VA
💲 Free
🔗 Details
This community Hispanic Heritage Month celebration brings cultural performances, music, food and educational exhibits to the City of Fairfax. You can watch folklorico performances on the Old Town Square stage, then learn how to salsa and practice with a live band. Plus, you can learn about city nonprofits that work the Latino community.
All Month Long
Cuba Libre
📍 801 9th St. NW, Washington, DC
🔗 Details
This popular Cuban restaurant in downtown D.C. has a couple of Hispanic Heritage Month specials all month long: The Cuban Pork Feast for Two comes with two free desserts, while the Guava BBQ Ribs are only $28.
The restaurant also hosts a DJ dance party every Friday and Saturday night. If you've always wanted to try merengue, salsa or bachata, or you just enjoy a good reggaeton hit, Cuba Libre Nights are a great opportunity no matter the time of year.
¡Presente!
📍 National Museum of American History, Washington, DC
🔗Details
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino is still in progress, so it will be a few years yet before it gets its own building. But the entity already exists, and is showcasing Latino history and culture in the National Museum of American History.
The ¡Presente! gallery is a semi-permanent exhibit in the Molino Family Latino Gallery, first set up in 2022. Visitors can learn about the history of Latinos in the U.S., read the wide variety of immigration stories, and learn how Hispanic and Latino culture has changed over time in the U.S.
