Ricón de Guadalupe, Padre Mauro Ríos Leyva, Nácori Chico, 2017. On display at Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Courtesy Werner Segarra/Briscoe Western Art Museum.
National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off Sept. 15, and cities across Texas are hosting activities both fun and educational. From art exhibits and festivals to tequila tastings and mariachi bands, these events celebrate a culture that makes up about 39% of the Texas population.
Dallas
Big D hosts offers several events during Hispanic Heritage Month, including a dance cardio party, Fiesta Latina with Social Joy, at Klyde Warren Park in the evening on Sept. 15; the Texas LatinX Pride Fest at Reverchon Park on Sept. 25; and the Nuestro Oak Cliff photography exhibit (Sept. 23-Oct. 16) presented through a partnership with the Latino Cultural Center and the Dallas Mexican American Historical League. visitdallas.com.
Wichita Falls
At the Forum on Sept. 16, experience the tradition and passion of Mariachi Las Alteñas, an all-female mariachi group of 10 members including five violins, two trumpets, a guitarron, vihuela, and guitar. Traditional eats from food trucks and restaurants are available during the show, and patrons can BYOB or buy beverages through donations.
Austin
Hispanic heritage is celebrated yearround at downtown’s Mexic-Arte Museum, but this month the museum celebrates the grand opening of two exhibitions, MX 21-Resistance, Reaffirmation & Resilience Exhibition (Sept. 17-Feb. 27) and Los Pueblos Originarios—Honoring the Dead—Continuing Traditions, Photos by Mary J. Andrade. The museum also hosts its Nuestra Comunidad/Our Community—Memory and Remembrance, the 38th annual Día de los Muertos exhibition (Sept. 17-Nov. 22). Community members are invited to drop off a photo of a deceased loved one at the museum’s front desk, which will collectively transform the gallery into a space that honors participants’ late family and friends.
Desoto
The City of Desoto is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a free festival on Sept. 18 at the covered outdoor Desoto Amphitheater, featuring performances from local and national Latin recording artists, plus craft and food vendors. Latino heritage apparel is encouraged, and don’t forget your lawn chair.
San Antonio
Immerse yourself in Hispanic culture all over the Alamo City with Fiestas Patrias San Antonio. Along with commemorating Diez y Seis (aka Mexican Independence Day) on Sept. 16, there are events like El Grito Weekend (Sept. 18-19); live music at the Tableau in Frida Kahlo’s Oasis party at the San Antonio Botanical Garden (Sept. 27); and the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s new exhibition Vaqueros de la Cruz Del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy, which opens Sept. 25 and runs through Jan. 25.
Cibolo
Dress to represent your country and get ready to dance the night away at Noble Lounge for its Hispanic Heritage Party on Sept. 18. Enjoy Latin music from a live DJ, drinks, vendors, Caribbean food, and a special performance from Panama Lo Nuestro.
Grand Prairie
If you’re in the mood for a live concert, head to Traders Village for one of its three free performances scheduled in September: Tejano Fest with Bobby Pulido, Grupo METAL featuring Chris Perez; or Fiestas Patrias with Tito Puente Jr. The 120-acre venue is also home to the largest flea market in Texas and has several amusement park rides.
San Angelo
The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts partners with the Hispanic Heritage Museum and Cultural Center of San Angelo to put on the first annual Family Fiestas Patrias, a two-day festival with artisans and vendors, live music, food trucks, an art auction, and free family activities on Sept. 24-25.
El Paso
Enjoy live music and vendors at the last Fiesta de Las Luces of the year on Sept. 25-26. See mariarchi bands and folklorico dancers perform and enjoy food truck and family-friendly activities under the lights of Paseo de Las Luces. Be sure to grab a Dulce De Leche Donut, a special donut created by Dunkin’ El Paso for Hispanic Heritage Month available at area Dunkin’ Donuts until Oct. 15.
