Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 through October 15, and the DC area is celebrating with a month of music, dance, film, and more fun. Take Latin dance lessons at Met Park, see an aviation flight demo, or binge-watch more than 40 films to mark the occasion.
Celebration of Textiles: Andean Traditions
September 12
location_on The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
language Website
You can pet a llama at this museum celebration. Discover 15th-century dress from the Inka empire in the exhibit “Weaving an Empire,” go on a scavenger hunt, and watch dance performances in homage to Andean traditions (free).
Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration
Stop by the Prince George’s Publik Playhouse this month to view mixed media and paintings by artist Catherine Rupan Mapp and the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit designed by local high school students. The family-friendly event features face painting, food truck eats, salsa dancing, and live music by Pablo Antonio y La Firma and DJ Suelto (free).
Create Your Own Piñata
Craft and design your own colorful mini pig or star piñata while learning about the cultural significance of the celebratory practice. The hands-on workshop led by Del Ray Artisans Gallery is for ages 12 and older; all supplies are included ($15 for children, $30 for adults).
AFI Latin American Film Festival
Explore Latin American movies with a pass to this multi-week film fest. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is screening 43 movies such as World Cup documentary The Match and the US premiere of São Paulo dramedy Isabel. The theater is also hosting filmmaker talks and throwing parties with embassies ($15 for general admission, $200 for festival pass).
NaLa Noches music series
On Thursday evenings from September 17 through October 15, lively concerts at Met Park feature performances from Latin jazz band René Ibáñez & Cubano Groove, salsa and merengue group Punto i Aparte, and other musicians in between hip-swaying dance lessons guided by Inspira Dance. In addition to the music, there’s pottery, painting, and flower craft workshops (free).
Latinas in Aviation Global Festival
Acknowledge Latinas in aviation with flight demos, bilingual story time, art, author meet-and-greets, kid-friendly entertainment, and a live concert featuring Latin Nine Orchestra (free).
Fiesta DC
Fiesta DC started during the ’70s in Mount Pleasant to express the richness of Latino culture. Now the tradition fills the streets of downtown DC every year with ancestral fashions, Latin music, folk dance, and a lively parade on Constitution Avenue. This year’s jamboree is in honor of Brazil (free).
“¡Puro Ritmo!” exhibit
Salsa dancing dates back to the 1500s. You can learn the history and heritage of the Latin dance tradition through music, photos, and memorabilia—such as the red heels worn by salsa queen Celia Cruz—at the Smithsonian’s “¡Puro Ritmo!” exhibit (free).
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
