National Hispanic Heritage Month is organized by The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. The celebration is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Also referred to as Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month, the celebration highlights the history and cultures of Hispanic or Latinx people who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The Pacific Northwest benefits from a rich history of Hispanic and Latinx peoples making their mark on the region's cultural fabric and boasts of many communities with strong Latinx roots. South Park and nearby White Center have long served as home to many Latinx families and businesses. SeaTac and Burien are also emerging as centers of Latinx culture in Seattle.

Here are some regional events celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month 2024:

MEXAM NW Festival 2024, September 7-October 19 - highlights below and read more about more events here.
—Fiesta de la Familia, September 7 from 12-6 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.

—Independencia de Mexico, September 8 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Les Gove Park in Auburn.

—STG and Live Nation welcome Moenia, September 11 from 8-11 p.m. at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle.

—Celebración del Grito de Independencia, September 13 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon.

—"El Grito" Concert, September 15 from 1-4 p.m. at Town Hall Seattle.

—Seattle Aquarium presents Vamos al Acuario, September 29, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

—Music from Home presents The Sounds of Mexico, October 6, 3-5 p.m. at Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood.

—Lila Downs, October 10, 8-10 p.m. at Meany Center for the Performing Arts in Seattle.

—MEXAM at the Zoo, October 12, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle.

—Cedar River Salmon Journey, October 13, 12-1 p.m. at Renton Library.

—Seattle Symphony presents Día de Muertos Family Concert, October 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Benaroya Hall in Seattle.

September 14 (1-9 p.m.) and September 15 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.): Seattle Center Festál presents Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion. Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias commemorates the independence of Latin American countries, many of which celebrate their national independence day in the month of September. It is a festival to celebrate history, while taking pride in the new generations of Latinos who now call the United States home. Throughout the two-day event at Seattle Center, attendees can enjoy delicious traditional Latin American food and cooking demonstrations, live music, traditional folk dance performances, art exhibitions representing Latino culture, free health screenings, children’s activities and more.

September 14, 1-7 p.m.: The Tacoma Moon Festival opens Tacoma Community House's "Welcoming Week," an annual program started in 2012 by Welcoming America, a nonprofit leading a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs, including immigrants. During Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. The 2024 Tacoma Moon Festival puts a special focus on Tacoma’s Mexican and Latinx communities and traditions alongside those of our AAPI communities. Seattle’s Tlalokan brings the splendor and power of Mexico’s indigenous Anahuac dance and music; Tacoma’s own Sabor Flamenco performs Spanish and Cuban Flamenco dance; and the youthful Mariachi Almanueva and Mariachi de Pacifico de PLU combine to demonstrate the embrace of this joyous Mexican music by the next generation. The event takes place at the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park (Jack Hyde Park). Find out more about the other happenings at the Festival here.

September 21, 7-9:30 p.m.: TCMedia presents 2024 Studio A Concert Series: Correo Aéreo Trio with Amy Denio at Thurston Community Media Studio A in Olympia. Performing together since 1992, Correo Aéreo features Abel Rocha on Venezuelan and Mexican harp, guitar, cuatro, and vocals and Madeleine Sosin on violin, maracas, bombo, jarana, quijada and vocals. Amy Denio, a tireless collaborator and renowned solo artist, contributes clarinet, accordion and vocals for this performance.

September 28, 3-9 p.m.: Lula Fest is a Community Celebration of Arts and Culture happening at Isthmus Park in Olympia. The event is produced by Ultimano Comms+ and The City of Olympia. The event vision, as shared by Lula Fest event planner Miguel Pineda, "Ser audaces al celebrar el pasado cultural, para construir un futuro mejor / Be bold in celebrating the cultural past, in order to build a better future."

October 4-12: The 16th Annual Seattle Latino Film Festival takes place at various venues, bringing audiences and filmmakers together for an educational experience and to support the magic of film-making as part of Hispanic and Romance Language Cinema globally.

October 12, 12-5 p.m. Tacoma Arts Live presents Festival Herencia Latina at the Tacoma Armory.