Hispanic Heritage Month in Las Vegas
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week long observance in 1968 following a push to recognize the contributions of Latinos throughout the civil rights movement. Twenty years later it was expanded to a month long observance which is how we continue to celebrate it. Who is considered a Latino or Hispanic American? Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Spanish speaking areas of the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
It seems strange that the month begins mid September but the date is actually significant in Latin America. September 15 marks the Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; Central American countries that declared their independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico celebrates it’s independence day on September 16 having declared it’s independence in 1810. Chile also liberated from Spain in September 1810 and Belize declared independence from Great Britain in September 1981.
Learn more about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month here.
Hispanic Heritage Month Events
Hispanic Heritage Month Guide
Hispanic Heritage Month Events in Las Vegas
El Grito: Celebrating the Independence of Mexico
Friday, September 15, 530pm-830pm
East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Avenue
Celebrate the independence of Mexico with a community festival. The event will include “El Grito,” live performances by local mariachi bands, folkloric dancers, and children’s activities.
The festival is in partnership with Consulate of Mexico Julián Escutia Rodríguez, city of Las Vegas Councilwoman Olivia Díaz, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, among others. Free parking and shuttle service from Rafael Rivera Park at 2850 Stewart Ave.
Mexican Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, September 16, 2pm – 9pm
Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park
Join in on the celebration of Mexican Independence Day with live music, dancing, and food for the entire family.
Fall Concert in the Park ― SECOS
Saturday, September 16, 7pm
Bob Baskin Park, 2801 W. Oakey Boulevard
SECOS is a Mexican-American alternative rock band from Las Vegas that fuses their sound with influences from iconic acts like Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys. Food trucks will offer refreshments for purchase. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating.
Storytime at Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Sunday, September 17, 12pm – 1230pm
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a story and crafts!
Included with Museum Admission and/or Membership
Dance and History: Celebrating Nicaragua
Thursday, September 28, 6pm
Chuck Minker Sports Complex, 275 N. Mojave Road
Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a community workshop focusing on traditional Nicaraguan dance and its history. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information and to register, call 702.229.1029.
Club Migrants de Uruapan
Celebrates Hispanic Heritage
Saturday, October 14, 2pm – 7pm
Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park
Immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant culture of the community of Uruapan, Mexico. This family-friendly event will feature traditional music, dance, food, and art.
Once Upon a Quince
Saturday, October 14, 530pm – 830pm
Free for those registered and selected in advance.
East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Avenue
The city of Las Vegas invites you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with our community quinceañera celebration!
Registration is available Aug. 1-Sept. 10. Participants must be 14-16 years old and live in the city of Las Vegas. Candidates will be drawn at random.
If you would like to be chosen as an honored quinceañera/o, please contact vacosta@lasvegasnevada.gov to sign up.
Sugar Skull Workshop
Saturday, October 28, 1pm – 3pm
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush Street
Cost: $15/person.
In this two-hour workshop, learn about the customs of Dia de Los Muertos and the symbolism of the sugar skull. This “hands-on” workshop allows you to decorate a pre-molded sugar skull. Each participate will leave with a completed skull they have created. Reserve your seat early as space is limited for this event. For more information and registration click here or call 702.229.6383.
Día De Los Muertos Hours at Woodlawn Cemetery
Wednesday-Thursday, November, 1-2, 530am – 12 midnight
Woodlawn Cemetery, 1500 Las Vegas Blvd. North.
Extended hours are only for families with loved ones buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery who are celebrating Día De Los Muertos.
Dia De Los Muertos Festival
Featuring Pacifico Dance Company
Thursday, November 2, 4pm – 9pm
Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park
Join us to honor one of the oldest traditions celebrated in many Latin American countries. There will be fun for the entire family, including an ofrenda contest, artisan vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities and a full lineup of performances.
Bring your lawn blanket and low-rise chairs to be more comfortable.
To participate in the ofrenda contest, submit your completed application by Oct. 20. Call 702.229.2238 for more information and for the ofrenda contest application.
Hispanic Heritage Month in Henderson
Short Film Festival
Saturday, September 16, 7pm
Water Street Plaza, Henderson
In partnership with the Mexican Consulado in Las Vegas, join us for a free viewing of short films. Bring your picnic, chairs and friends for a special viewing of these cultural films on the Water Street Plaza. Light concessions will be available for purchase. All ages are welcome!
Hispanic Heritage Month - Clark County
Fall Concert in the Park
Saturday, September 16, 7pm
Bob Baskin Park, 2801 W Oakey Boulevard
Mexican-American alternative rock band SECOS will hold a concert at Bob Baskin Park and play music inspired by artists like Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and the Arctic Monkeys.
Food trucks will be at the event with refreshments for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
For more information, call 702-229-ARTS.
Viva La Vida
Friday, September 29, 2023, 5pm – 9pm
Pearson Community Center
Live music, performances, food, crafts, inflatables, games, and more.
Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Celebration
Thursday, September 14, 430pm – 9pm
North Las Vegas City Hall, Liberty Park
Join Mayor Goynes-Brown, Councilman Barron, and North Las Vegas City Council Members for the city’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Celebration in Liberty Park!
The event will feature the official ceremony of El Grito de Dolores led by the Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas, and out-of-town performers Carmen Jara, Los Anders and Frank Tapia.
Local entertainers and mariachis from Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts and Monaco Middle School, who won North Las Vegas’ inaugural School Mariachi Competition in March of this year, will also be performing.
Food vendors will be on-site along with community organizations hosting interactive cultural activities. The city will also be presenting community awards and a proclamation proclaiming National Hispanic Heritage Month. For additional information, please call 702-633-1012.
Movies in the Park – Encanto
Friday, September 15, 630pm
Deer Springs Park, 6550 Aviary Way
For Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of North Las Vegas’ Movie Madness series is featuring Encanto.
Bring your family, friends, picnic baskets and blankets and join us for this free event! Food and drinks will be available for purchase if you choose not to bring your own. Please be advised, no alcohol, smoking, e-cigarettes, vaping, high-back chairs, tables or umbrellas. See the website for more information.
Storywalk at the Nature Discovery Park
September 15 – October 15
Aliante Nature Discovery Park (aka Dinosaur Park)
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the delightful book Pepe and the Parade by Tracey Kyle. Pepe takes the readers along with him as he experiences the food, music, language and colors of the Hispanic culture.
The Storywalk winds through the park for a little exercise and literacy all in one! Visitors to the park can access Storywalk from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 during normal park hours.
Art of Cartonería
Saturday, September 30, 1pm – 3pm
Aliante Library, 2400 Deer Springs Way
Local artist Vanessa Maciel will teach the art of Cartonería or papier-mâché by making a Luchador! Adults, teens and children ages 6 and up can participate. Registration is required.
Wrestler Workshop
Saturday, September 30, 1pm – 3pm
Aliante Library, 240 Deer Springs Way
Families are invited to assist the wrestler workshop with Artist Vanessa Maciel at our Aliante Library. Learn about the art of papier-mâché by making a wrestler! Required Registration.
Make Your Own Maracas
Wednesday, October 4, 530pm – 630pm
City Hall Library, 2250 Las Boulevard North
Learn about the music of the Hispanic culture as we make maracas! No registration is required for this program for ages 5-11.
Fun with Flags
Thursday, October 5, 4pm – 5pm
Aliante Library, 2400 Deer Springs Way
Flags are an integral part of any country’s culture and national pride. Join us for a special program celebrating Hispanic culture as we learn about five different countries and make a flag! This program is for ages 5 -11.
Bilingual Spanish Storytime
Saturday, October 7, 11am – 1130am
Alexander Library, 1755 W Alexander Road
Come explore stories, rhymes and songs in both English and Spanish at the City of North Las Vegas’s Alexander Library’s monthly Bilingual Spanish Storytime.
Create a Sugar Skull
Wednesday, October 11, 530pm – 630pm
Alexander Library, 1755 W Alexander Road
Join us as we learn about the history of Sugar Skulls and create your own to take home in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, ages 4 – 17. Registration is required for this program.
Loteria
Thursday, October 12, 5pm – 630pm
City Hall Library, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd North
Families are invited to our Loteria Night! Loteria is a Mexican game of chance, similar to bingo, with pictures, instead of numbers. Join us for an evening of family fun and laughter!
Loteria
Tuesday, October 17, 10am
Neighborhood Recreation Center, 1638 N Bruce Street
Families are invited to play Loteria at the Neighborhood Recreation Center! Loteria is a Mexican game of chance, similar to bingo, with pictures, instead of numbers. Join us for an evening of family fun and laughter!
Local Businesses to Try
La Vecinidad
Makers & Finders
OleManny
Rincon de Buenos Aires
Viva Las Arepas
Casa don Juan
Paleta Bar
Leticia’s Cocina
Mas Por Favor
Skimos Coffee Shop
El Tamalucas
Salsas Balazo
Cubanidad 1885
Juan’s Flaming Fajitas
A Taste of Puerto Rico
Peru Chicken
Sofrito Rico
Gabi’s Gorditas
Empanada Factory (Food Truck)
La Puerto Negra
Mercado at The Boulevard Mall
Recipes and Craft Ideas
A good celebration always includes food! Here are some of our favorite recipes.
My favorite meal growing up was picadillo de papa. Try it out and let us know what you think!
Ingredients
2 tsp of oil
2-4 Russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
8 or 16 oz of your preferred chorizo, sausage or meatless substitute (sliced or cubed)
Salsa
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
Directions
Cook chorizo/meat substitute until fully cooked
Add potatoes to pan
Add salsa and enough water to cover potatoes
Cook until done (cook times will vary based on meat type and size of potatoes)
Serve with rice and beans or on a tortilla.
