Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15 to October 15 to honor the history, culture, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. It began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, created by Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and later expanded to a month in 1988 under President Ronald Regan. The celebration starts on September 15 because it marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile following soon after.

The month highlights the achievements of Hispanic Americans in various fields, including arts, science, business, politics, and education, while also serving as a time for cultural pride, storytelling, and community building. Schools, museums, and organizations use this period to highlight traditions through food, music, dance, and art, helping to preserve culture and educate future generations.

Hispanic Heritage Events in Massachusetts:

• City of Revere’s Annual Celebration (9/25)
• The 2025 Hispanic & Latino Run at Copley Square (9/27)
• CENTRO’s 6th Annual Hispanic Heritage Breakfast in Worcester (10/3)
• Boston concerts featuring Los Lobos (9/27) and Natalia Jimenez (9/27)
• Various events at the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, and Boston Public Library (dates vary)

Hispanic Heritage Events Across the Country:

• Alabama: Celebración Hispana Más Grande de Alabama in Birmingham’s Linn Park (9/27)
• California: Galas, film festivals, and award ceremonies in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Escondido, and El Centro (September)
• Florida: Miami’s monthlong calendar of events (9/15–10/15)
• Illinois: Festivals in Waukegan, Goshen, and Decatur (September)
• Indiana: Folkloric festivals in Indianapolis (10/4): Indiana Festivals | Festivals throughout the state of Indiana
• Missouri: Fiestas at St. Louis County libraries (9/23) and St. Louis Art Museum’s Family Sunday celebration (10/5)
• New York: Bronx libraries host programs throughout September; Queens Library continues festivities (9/13 onwards)
• Ohio: Cultural showcases in Canton and Fairfield
• Pennsylvania: Cultural days in Lancaster (10/4)
• Tennessee: Heritage Festival at the Zoo (9/27)
• Texas: Burleson’s Hispanic Heritage Festival (9/27) plus cultural parades, galas, and community concerts
• Vermont: Burlington’s Hispanic/Latinx Culture series (9/15–10/15)
• Virginia: Latino Identities Month at the University of Mary Washington (9/15–10/15)