Feliz Hispanic Heritage Month, San Diego. The observance starts today and runs through Sat., Oct. 15 — spotlighting the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central + South America. 🎊
You see, Sept. 15 coincides with the date when five Latin American countries declared independence from Spain 1821 — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras + Nicaragua. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, while Chile’s is Sept. 18.
In San Diego, Hispanic Heritage Month events will get rolling today + this weekend; here’s a sampling of the many fiestas around town. Vamos, amigos y amigas.
- Grito de Independencia | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Chicano Park | Free | Entertainment, speakers + culture in the heart of Barrio Logan. 🎶
- Tinker Thursday: Latinx Heritage Month Celebration | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Free | Partake in special crafts inspired by Latinx traditions. 🧵
- “Selena” | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero | $17.50+ | Rewatch the flick all about the legacy of the “Queen of Tejano Music.” 👑
- The House of Mexico Presents: Mexican Independence Day Grito + Concert | Fri., Sept. 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Spreckels Organ Pavilion | Free | Music from Grupo Ellas, Mariachi Estrellas de Chula Vista + more — in the heart of Balboa Park. 🎶
- Mexican Independence Day Celebration | Fri., Sept. 16-Sun., Sept. 18 | Times vary | La Americas Premium Outlets, San Ysidro | Enjoy special live entertainment as you shop — including a Sept. 16 performance by Mariachi Real De San San Diego. 🎺
- “Selena” Watch Party + Bejeweled Craft | Fri., Sept. 16 | 3:45-6 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library | Free | Watch the movie while enjoying pizza (Selena’s favorite), and create a sparkly 1980s accessory. ✨
- Mexican Independence Day | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-3 p.m. | La Casa de Estudillo, Old Town State Historic Park | Free | Make 19th century crafts like paper flowers and “cascarones” — colorful eggs filled with confetti. 🌸
- Hispanic Heritage Celebration | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-3 p.m. | Otay Ranch Town Center | Free | Live music, food, art demos, Catrinas, cultural performances + fun activities for the little ones — plus, info booths related to local Hispanic civic organizations. 🎊
- Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Event | Sat., Sept. 17 | 2-6 p.m. | Barnes Tennis Center, Point Loma | Free | Celebrate culture with tennis, music, food trucks + kids zones. 🎾
- El Grito Celebration | Sat., Sept. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Memorial Park, downtown Chula Vista | Free | Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with live music, dance, food, baile folclórico + more. 🇲🇽
The San Diego Public Library will host many Latinx Heritage Month events, including:
- Tinker Thursday: Paper Flowers | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Free | Make the traditional paper craft. 🌼
- Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Pots | Mon., Sept. 26 | 4-5 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library | Free | Embellish a flower pot with colorful designs — and plant a jade succulent. 🪴
- San Diego OASIS: Women in Aztec Society | Tues., Sept. 27 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | University Community Library | Free | A lecture on the roles + daily life of Mesoamerican women before the European conquest — particularly in the Valley of Mexico before 1492. 🌎
- Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Fiesta | Sat., Oct. 8 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Free | A fun-filled day of cultural performances, crafts + games. 🎊
- Piñata Art with Art Smarts | Tues., Oct. 11 | 5-6 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library | Free | Kids ages 5-11 can learn to draw a 3D piñata. 🪅
Local universities like San Diego State University + UC San Diego will host Hispanic Heritage Month events, including:
- Drag Lotería | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6-8 p.m. | Mathews Quad, UC San Diego | Free | Raquelita + Barbie Q emcee two rounds of lotería games and performances. ♠️
- “Encanto” | Thurs., Oct. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Muir College Lawn, UC San Diego | Free | A screening of the magical Disney flick, with snacks. ✨
- Pachanga | Thurs., Oct. 13 | 5-8 p.m. | Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, SDSU | Free | The final celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, entertainment + a chance to check out Latinx student organizations. 🎉
A few more events around our city:
- Hispanic Heritage Weekend | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 | Petco Park | $36+ | The Padres celebrate with a weekend of festivities and game packages that include a colorful, limited-edition Padres hat — plus Los Tucanes de Tijuana perform a post-game concert on Sun., Oct. 2. ⚾
- “Coco” | Sat., Oct. 1 | 4:15 p.m. | Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero | $17.50+ | Follow Miguel’s adventure at this family-friendly screening. 💀
- Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center: Opening Day | Sat., Oct. 8 | 12-6 p.m. | 1960 National Ave. | Free | Finally, this cultural institution debuts with its inaugural exhibition, “PILLARS of the Community,” a collective historical narrative of Chicano Park + Logan Heights. 🎨
