PORTLAND, Ore. — Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month!
Hispanic Heritage Week was first signed into law by former President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, then was expanded into a month in 1998. Hispanic Heritage Month was officially first proclaimed by former President George H. W. Bush in 1989, and since then, all presidents have issued a presidential proclamation to mark Hispanic Heritage Month.
Sept. 15 was chosen as the start date; it also marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, which resulted in independence for Mexico and the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the anniversaries of independence for Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
Below are some events happening this month to celebrate and honor Hispanic Heritage Month:
Date: Sept. 12, 1:30-6:30 p.m. and Oct. 12, 1:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: September's event is at the Factor Building at 226 Southeast Madison Street, Portland OR 97214; October's event is at Tany's Cafe Con Pan at 24173 Northeast Halsey Street, Wood Village, OR 97060
This all-ages annual festival, hosted by JUNTOSpdx, features a one-of-a-kind art showcase, a flea market, culture-relevant workshops, a low-rider car show, music, dance and, of course, food. Tickets start at $10.
Date: Sept. 13, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street Southeast, Salem OR 97301
Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network is holding its annual kickoff and celebration of its 15th anniversary of Hispanic Heritage Month. The all-day event includes a community resource fair, panels on health care, higher education and leadership, breakfast and lunch, and more. Tickets are $75.
Date: Sept. 14, noon-4 p.m.
Location: North Clackamas Park, 5440 Southeast Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie, OR
The free community festival is open to all and features food, live music, kids' activities, games, vendors and dance instruction.
Date: Sept. 14, 2-7 p.m.
Location: Shute Park, 750 Southeast Eighth Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123
The family event includes cultural activities, mariachi performances, ballet folklórico, singing and an exhibition of local Latino art, along with restored, customized vehicles.
Date: Sept. 14, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Espacio Flamenco, 217 Southwest 1st Avenue, Portland OR 97204
With Flamenco singer Cristo Cortes and guitarists Ricardo Diaz and Yeshe Wingerd, the evening is dedicated to the art of Flamenco singing, then a celebration with a "juerga," where everyone is invited to sing, dance and play; tickets are $20. There is also a "cante" workshop with Cortes from 3:30-5 p.m.
Date: Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Sahalee Park, 99 Southeast 7th Street, Madras, OR 97741
Central Oregon celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a parade, live singing and dancing, an international street fair with local vendors, a kids' activity area, booths representing Latin American countries, and a variety of food and drinks.
Date: Sept. 14, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Garden Home Recreation Center, 7475 Southwest Oleson Road, Portland, OR 97223
The free, family-friendly event includes refreshments, a guided walk on the Fanno Creek Trail, art and short stories for sale, bilingual story time and more.
Date: Sept. 14, 2-6 p.m.
Location: Woodburn Downtown Plaza, North 1st Street, Woodburn, OR 97071
This year's event includes a resource fair with food vendors, crafts and activities for kids, and informational booths, as well as live music, a flag ceremony from the Mexican consulate and cultural performances.
Date: Sept. 15-16
Location: Moda Center, 1 North Center Court Street, Portland, OR 97227
The free, two-day event includes a variety of cultural performances, live music, dancing, food, community resources and family fun, with the first day concluding with the traditional official ceremony of El Grito, a tribute to "El Grito de Dolores" that symbolizes the revolt for independence.
Date: Sept. 15, 4-7 p.m.
Location: Rockwood Market Hall, 458 Southeast 185th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233
Kick back and relax with singer-songwriter Victoria Fragoso, whose music draws from her Hispanic roots, classical piano training and musical theater background.
Date: Sept. 15–Oct. 13, every Sunday from 4-8 p.m.
Location: Bar Carlo, 6433 Southeast Foster Road, Portland, OR 97206
Chef and owner Melinda Archuleta of Bar Carlo will be launching a series of "domingueando," a celebration of the art of leisurely Sundays that features all-day happy hour, every Sunday from 4-8 p.m. The weekly event will include live music, art, pop-ups and weekly seasonal food specials and handcrafted "cantaritos," or cocktails. Learn more here.
Date: Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
Location: Alberta Abbey, 126 Northeast Alberta Street, Portland, OR 97211
With a Latin percussion flavor, Portland’s Latin Rock Exchange plays familiar hits from Santana, War, Barrabas, Yesca, The Buena Vista Social Club, Jobim, Bublé, Pink Martini and more. Tickets are $5 to $20.
Date: Sept. 5–21
Location: Milagro – Miracle Theatre Group, 525 Southeast Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214
This play follows university professor Paola Aguilar, who's in need of some funds. The play's website says, "So when the political party offers her a substantial paycheck to help them understand the Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine vote, she begrudgingly takes the job. Can she help these political strategists understand all of the nuances of her community to save the election? Or will her own journey ultimately be more important than who controls the White House?" There is a free panel discussion with community leaders on Sept. 15.
Date: Sept. 20, 5-9 p.m.
Location: Twin Creeks Park, 555 Twin Creeks Crossing, Central Point, OR 97502
The second annual celebration in Southern Oregon includes food trucks, multiple live music performances, bounce houses and loteria games.
Date: Sept. 20, 6-8:30 p.m.
Location: Hillsboro Public Library, 2850 Northeast Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro OR 97124
At the Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibition 2024, people are invited to explore artwork of the Latino community and its impact on our culture.
Date: Sept. 25-Nov. 24
Location: The Hollywood Theatre, 4122 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97212
The 18th annual film festival showcases Latin American culture and perspectives, with this year's lineup featuring eight movies, one each week. Admission ranges from $9 to $15.
Date: Sept. 27-29
Location: Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 Northeast Alberta Street, Portland, OR 97211
The Royal Opera of Madrid and Fever brings authentic flamenco to Portland, headlined with renowned Ricardo Fernández del Moral. Find our more information here.
Date: Sept. 28, noon to 6 p.m.
Location: Salem Riverfront Park, 200 Water Street Northeast, Salem, OR 97301
The free, annual festival promises live music, performances, artists, and food and craft vendors.
Date: Oct. 5, noon to 9 p.m.
Location: Cook Family Park, 17005 Southwest 92nd Avenue, Tigard OR 97224
The free, family-friendly event includes Latin American food, arts and crafts, dancing, live music and children’s activities.
Don't see an event on this list? Let us know!
