Texas, September 16, 2025
News Summary
Hispanic Heritage Month is being celebrated throughout Texas with various events aimed at highlighting the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Major cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio are hosting parades, festivals, and educational activities, despite potential challenges posed by changes in federal immigration policy. Notable events include music performances, dance productions, and community workshops, fostering engagement and appreciation for Hispanic culture.
Austin — Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations are underway across Texas from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with communities hosting cultural, educational and family-focused events that highlight the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Major events are scheduled in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and other cities, though some traditional gatherings may be affected this year by shifts in federal immigration policy and organizers are planning alternatives where necessary.
Key events and dates
The statewide calendar includes a mix of parades, festivals, exhibits, music and arts programming. Notable events and offerings include:
- Fiesta Del Grito — Sept. 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Republic Square Park (Austin). The event will present music, cultural demonstrations and community activities.
- Roots of Pan Dulce — Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., French Legation State Historic Site (Austin). The program explores the origins of pan dulce and is free with museum admission.
- FotoSeptiembre — Sept. 5–25, Centro Cultural Aztlan (San Antonio). A photography exhibit celebrating Latino culture and everyday life in San Antonio; admission is free.
- Cisneros v. Corpus Christi ISD exhibit — Sept. 27–Nov. 26, Mexican American Cultural Resource Institute (MACRI). The exhibit focuses on the 1968 legal challenge to segregation of Mexican American students in Corpus Christi schools.
- Nuestras Voces: Stories of Resilience — Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., Buena Vista Theater (Austin). A dance production honoring Mexican American leaders; tickets start at $30.
- 4th annual Latinidad Festival — Sept. 20, 6 p.m., Strauss Square (Dallas). The festival will include a market, performances and family-friendly activities.
- Tejano Music Festival — Sept. 18, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (location in Dallas). The lineup features regional and tribute acts and mariachi performances.
Austin-focused programming
Libraries, galleries and community centers in Austin are offering a range of free and ticketed programs. The Austin Public Library system is hosting dance classes, crafting workshops, educational sessions about the penny press of the Mexican Revolution, salsa lessons and a GarageBand workshop that will teach participants how to create reggaeton beats. The East Austin Juntos Festival on Sept. 15 will showcase food, music and art, featuring multiple food vendors and live music.
Dallas activities
Dallas organizers are presenting family-oriented and arts programs. The Dallas Public Library will run cooking classes for children from Sept. 18 to Oct. 9 that focus on Latin American dishes. In addition to the Latinidad Festival, the city offers weekly Latin dance classes on Thursdays from Sept. 18 to Oct. 9 at 2 p.m., open to all skill levels.
San Antonio and heritage exhibits
San Antonio’s Centro Cultural Aztlan hosts the FotoSeptiembre photography exhibit from Sept. 5–25, free to the public. Other regional cultural institutions are presenting historical and artistic exhibits that trace the roots and lived experiences of Latino communities in South Texas.
Context and significance
Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Nationwide, more than 63 million people identify as Latino, representing nearly one in five U.S. residents. Events during the month aim to honor cultural traditions such as music, dance and food while also highlighting historical milestones, civil rights struggles and contemporary civic engagement.
Logistics and accessibility
Some events are free or included with regular museum admission, while others require paid tickets. Schedules, venues and safety protocols may change; attendees are advised to confirm event details with hosts prior to arrival. Organizers across the state have noted that changes to federal immigration policy may affect planning for some annual events, and alternative formats or dates may be offered.
How communities are participating
Programming spans formal exhibits and performances to hands-on workshops for children and adults. Typical offerings include traditional music and dance, culinary demonstrations, photography and visual arts exhibits, historical talks, family festivals and interactive library workshops designed to engage multiple generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Hispanic Heritage Month?
- Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 each year.
- Which major events are happening in Austin?
- Major Austin events include Fiesta Del Grito at Republic Square Park on Sept. 15, Roots of Pan Dulce at the French Legation State Historic Site on Sept. 30, library dance and music workshops, and the Nuestras Voces dance production on Sept. 20.
- Are events free to attend?
- Some events are free, such as FotoSeptiembre in San Antonio and certain library programs. Others have admission fees or ticket prices; for example, the Roots of Pan Dulce event is free with museum admission and the Nuestras Voces performance has tickets starting at $30.
- Will events still take place if federal policies change?
- Organizers have indicated that some annual events may be modified or canceled due to impacts from federal immigration policy changes. Alternatives or schedule adjustments may be offered; attendees should verify current details with event hosts.
- What types of activities are available for children?
- Children can participate in cooking classes, dance lessons, crafting workshops and family-friendly festival programming across library and community centers, notably in Dallas and Austin.
| Event | Date | Location | Cost / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta Del Grito | Sept. 15 | Republic Square Park, Austin | Community event, schedule-based activities |
| Roots of Pan Dulce | Sept. 30 | French Legation State Historic Site, Austin | Free with museum admission |
| FotoSeptiembre | Sept. 5–25 | Centro Cultural Aztlan, San Antonio | Free |
| Cisneros v. Corpus Christi ISD exhibit | Sept. 27–Nov. 26 | MACRI (Corpus Christi exhibit on display) | Historical exhibit |
| Nuestras Voces: Stories of Resilience | Sept. 20 | Buena Vista Theater, Austin | Tickets start at $30 |
| Latinidad Festival | Sept. 20 | Strauss Square, Dallas | Market and performances |
| Tejano Music Festival | Sept. 18 | Dallas | Evening music event |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman
- Wikipedia: Hispanic Heritage Month
- CBS Austin
- Google Search: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Scholar: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Austin Vida
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Spectrum Local News – Annual Celebrations
- Google News: Hispanic Heritage Month events
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
