Each year from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of people with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The month begins on September 15, marking the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, and is celebrated through music, food, art, cultural festivals, educational events, and family gatherings that honor Hispanic and Latino heritage.
Six Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Looking for ways to celebrate? Here are six meaningful ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month:
Explore Hispanic and Latino History
Learn more about the people, events, and cultures that have shaped Hispanic communities throughout history.
- Explore Smithsonian Institution exhibits, including the Smithsonian Latino Center’s teaching and learning resources for Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Look up the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for programs connecting Hispanic history to broader historical events.
- Search your local museum’s calendar for in-person and online programming, including options for children.
Support Hispanic-Owned Businesses
Shop local, try a new restaurant, or support entrepreneurs and creators from Hispanic and Latino communities.
- Try a new food, clothing, or specialty store you have not visited before.
- Leave a review after your visit to help other customers find them.
- Follow the business on social media to hear about new products and events.
Enjoy Traditional Food
Food plays an important role in cultural identity. Explore authentic dishes from different regions of Latin America and Spain.
- Build a menu that goes beyond the familiar: pork carnitas, empanadas, barbacoa, ceviche, albondigas, grilled corn, and conchas for dessert.
- Start with agua fresca, horchata, or Mexican hot chocolate.
- If you prefer something with alcohol, try a margarita, a paloma, or a Latin American beer.
Experience Music, Dance, and Art
Attend cultural festivals, concerts, art exhibits, or community events that showcase Hispanic and Latino talent and traditions.
- Attend a local Hispanic Heritage Month festival, parade, concert, or cultural fair in your area.
- Create a playlist featuring artists from across Latin America and explore genres like salsa, mariachi, merengue, bachata, reggaetón, tango, or cumbia.
- Read a book, watch a film, or stream a documentary created by Hispanic and Latino storytellers.
Share Stories with Family and Friends
Take time to learn about your own heritage or listen to the stories and experiences of loved ones and community members.
- Look up a national park or historic site near you with a documented Hispanic or Latino connection.
- Plan a family hike or camping trip around one of these sites.
- Share what you learn with someone who might enjoy it.
Give Back to Your Community
Volunteer, support community organizations, or participate in initiatives that help strengthen and celebrate Hispanic communities.
- Volunteer with local organizations that support Hispanic and Latino families, students, immigrants, or small business owners.
- Donate to nonprofits focused on education, community development, health, or cultural preservation within Hispanic communities.
- Support family and friends across borders by staying connected and helping them reach their financial goals when they need it most.
Celebrate Heritage by Supporting What Matters Most
For many Hispanic and Latino families, celebrating heritage also means celebrating the people who matter most. Whether they live nearby or thousands of miles away, family remains at the heart of many traditions. Staying connected often means more than a call or text. It means offering support when it’s needed most and showing they’re never far from your thoughts.
That’s where Western Union can help. With convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, you can support family and friends wherever life has taken them. Send money online, through the Western Union® app, or at an agent location, and choose from convenient receiving options such as cash pickup, bank account deposit, or mobile wallet delivery where available. This Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrate your roots by helping family and friends back home stay connected.
Send money back home today with Western Union and keep the people who matter most close, no matter the distance.
FAQs
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration observed from September 15 through October 15 that recognizes the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
The celebration begins on September 15 because it coincides with the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate independence during this period.
People celebrate through cultural festivals, music and dance performances, traditional foods, educational programs, community events, art exhibits, and family gatherings that honor Hispanic and Latino cultures.
One meaningful way to celebrate is by helping family and friends stay connected and supported. Western Union offers convenient ways to send money globally through its website, mobile app, and agent locations, with multiple receiving options available in many destinations.
