Hispanic Heritage Month in Houston

Houston is the most diverse city in the country, and the city has a culturally diverse culinary scene to match. Locals and visitors have no trouble finding hispanic eats from tacos to empanadas to pupusas in this city. Taste authentic Venezuelan arepas at Arepas By Perla in Memorial City Mall, savory Argentinian empanadas at 5411 Empanadas in Midtown, Peru’s popular lomo saltado at Inka Restaurant, and stuffed pupusas at La Pupusa Loka. Hungry diners can't miss out on visiting Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe or any of Chef Hugo Ortega’s restaurants: Hugo’s, Xochi, Caracol and Urbe. There is too much goodness to indulge in! Looking for more Houston Central, South American restaurants and Mexican restaurants? See our Hispanic Dining in Houston guide.

If you're coming to Houston during Hispanic Heritage Month this year, we recommend starting your celebration at downtown's Connally Plaza. There you can see the fantastic mural Mexican-American History and Culture in 20th Century Houston, with a spectacular backdrop of City Hall and the Downtown skyline.

In the style of the great Mexican muralists, this vibrant collective work of art highlights the places, personalities, concepts and events that shaped the Mexican-American community and laid the foundation for the multicultural Houston we know today. The mural was commissioned by the Heritage Society by highly esteemed artists Jesse Sifuentes and Laura López Cano. It was inaugurated in September 2018 and since then it was visited by hundreds of thousands of people, becoming an iconic mural of the city.

Houston is home to many Hispanic artists that continue to contribute incredible art to our city. From murals to established collections, there’s plenty of artwork to see. Artists like Mario E. Figueroa, Jr. (Gonzo247) and David Maldonado (Capdavjon, photo above) have painted colorful murals throughout the city and have become some of the top sites to see for locals and visitors. You can find impressive Latin American art collections at the Museum of Fine Arts. The museum’s collection has upwards of 2,000 pieces by Latino artists! You can also find local art galleries featuring Hispanic artists like the Serrano Gallery in Arts District Houston. Check out our Q&A with some of Houston's Hispanic Artists.

El Grito Miller Outdoor Theatre featuring CAÑA DULCE Y CAÑA BRAVA
September 15, 2024

The celebration of Mexican Independence Day will be an unforgettable evening, beginning with the stirring Grito ceremony, followed by a vibrant performance that showcases the rich heritage and culture of Mexico. This special event features the acclaimed Caña Dulce y Caña Brava, presented in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Houston.

Caña Dulce y Caña Brava will guide the audience on a captivating journey through the music, poetry, dance, and traditional attire of Veracruz, Mexico. As dedicated custodians of the jarocho culture, these talented artists bring their extensive experience on both national and international stages to deliver a performance that deeply resonates.

The ensemble is particularly distinguished by its focus on feminine poetry and voices, forging a powerful emotional connection with the audience. Their performance skillfully weaves together various rhythms, traditional string instruments like the harp and jarana, percussion and zapateado, poetic improvisation, and stunning visual effects to create a multi-sensory experience.

The Salsa Festival 2024
September 22, 2024

On Sunday, September 22, come out and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at El Festival de la Salsa, which will be held from 1 to 10 pm at Discovery Green Park. Lots of live music, delicious foods from various Latin American countries, and dozens of arts and crafts vendors! 

Fiesta Sinfónica
September 27, 2024

Join the Houston Symphony for Fiesta Sinfónica, an annual free concert that honors the vibrant cultural contributions of Latin American and Hispanic composers. This year's lineup promises an unforgettable evening of music, featuring works like Enrique Soro’s Danza Fantástica, the beloved Peruvian waltz La flor de la canela, and Venezuela’s iconic Alma Llanera, often regarded as the country’s unofficial second national anthem.

In a special highlight, the evening will include the world premiere of Guitar Concerto by renowned composer Arturo Márquez, with an electrifying performance by acclaimed Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas.

Best of all, admission to this event is completely free! Request tickets here. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich musical traditions of Latin America.

The Greater East End is a culturally diverse neighborhood known for its thriving arts scene with indie galleries, large-scale murals, and more. Visit the Multicultural Education and Counseling Through the Arts (MECA) for support services, community building and theater shows. Along Navigation Boulevard, you can dine and support Mexican eateries like El Tiempo.

Near Upper Kirby, the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston hosts a variety of events like classes, art exhibits and culinary pop-ups throughout the year to promote Hispanic culture.

In Houston’s Galleria area, you’ll find Casa Argentina de Houston (CAH) which offers and supports countless music concerts, cinemas, theaters, tango concerts, historical celebrations of Argentine culture around the city of Houston.

Party on the Plaza | National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024
September 21, 2024

Music will fill the air as Party on the Plaza celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 7-9:30 p.m. at Avenida Houston. Presented by Houston First Corporation (HFC), Party on the Plaza is free and open to the public as part of the organization’s recognition of the contributions of Hispanic Americans.

This year’s headliner, Inspector, is an iconic music group founded in Monterrey, Mexico. After nearly three decades of entertaining, the group is considered one of the most important bands to introduce Mexican Ska music to the world. Having released nine albums and performing to sold out crowds throughout Mexico and Latin America, Inspector’s contribution to the music scene is firmly established. Longtime fans have delighted in partying to the group's electrifying rhythms, now Houstonians will have a chance to appreciate Inspector's musical journey and make fun memories of their own.   

Ramona, the group opening for Inspector, will kick off the evening bringing their unique sound to the Plaza at Avenida Houston. With its roots in Tijuana, Mexico, Ramona has fused elements of the Mexican culture with avant-garde sounds from American rock and Latin American ballads to create their own style of Romantic Psychedelic Rock. Working with Latin Grammy award-winning producers, the group has performed from Veracruz to Seattle to Canada to Austin and collaborated with artists like Guillermo Boneto, Little Jesus, Chicano Batman and many more.

Everyone is invited to come dance, sing and enjoy free live musical entertainment and experience the cultural diversity within the Hispanic and Latino communities. Showcasing live, diverse entertainment is part of HFC’s ongoing commitment to support programming that reflects the rich tapestry of cultures and people who make up Houston’s vibrant community.

México en el Corazón
September 20, 2024

Join the big party at Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston on September 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. Enjoy the colors, art and music of Mexico at Discovery Green's Anheuser-Busch Stage with over 50 performers with traditional costumes and music.

Hispanic Heritage Month with the Astros
September 20-22, 2024

Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Minute Maid Park the weekend of September 20-22 when the Astros take on the Los Angeles Angels.. There will be super fun activities, including pregame Happy Hour, fireworks, a huge street festival, surprise giveaways and a special ceremony to celebrate the Astros' Latino and Hispanic players. See program details HERE.

Sazon Latin Food Festival - Houston at Karbach Brewery
October 20, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The highly anticipated Sazon Latin Food Festival promises a fantastic time for all. This admission-free event boasts an impressive lineup of over 20 diverse Latin food vendors, allowing you to savor the most exquisite flavors from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. In addition to the culinary delights, you can groove to great music and sip on refreshing drinks, so be sure to bring your friends and family along for a day filled with enjoyment.

Arrive with an appetite because the culinary offerings are simply irresistible. With such a remarkable array of food options, there's something to tantalize every palate. And, of course, don't neglect to leave a little room for indulgent desserts! Act quickly, as tickets are in limited supply.