Must Visit Locations to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Mon September 7, 2026

Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual observance in the U.S. that celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestry comes from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The celebration begins mid-September due to the September 15 date marking the independence anniversary of several Latin American countries and runs through October 15 each year. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week and in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded it into a month-long observance.

Here are some must-visit destinations to celebrate this beloved, colorful cultural event — including one in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and some that may even surprise you.

Southern Arizona

As a border state, Arizona has the second-largest population of Hispanic residents in the country, offering great diversity and rich ties to Hispanic heritage.

In Phoenix, from September 25-27, visitors can watch Mexican teams from the Liga Argo Mexicana del Pacifico play in the Mexican Baseball Fiesta Tournament. Top teams from Mexico’s professional league compete at American Family Fields, the spring training field for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tucson celebrates Mexican Independence Day at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum on September 12 with performances and lectures, while Mexican teams compete at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium with a fiesta. In Douglas, the Naranjeros take on the Yaquis in an electrifying baseball matchup.

St. Augustine Founders Day Landing Procession

St. Augustine, Florida

Founded in September 1565, St, Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental U.S. Its foundational Hispanic roots span 16th-century colonial architecture, historical monuments, and modern cultural events that are celebrated year-round.

Some of the top events include Aviles Street Festival featuring live music, flamenco dancing, sword-dueling demonstrations and plein air artists. In commemoration of the founding of St. Augustine, the 461^st Anniversary Founder’s Day Celebration on September 12 begins with a historic reenactment of the 1565 landing, followed by a Catholic Mass at the outdoor rustic altar. Living history interpreters from the Historic Florida Militia present a timeline of St. Augustine’s history on September 19.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s 500 years of Hispanic heritage reflect centuries of Mexican, Spanish, and Indigenous influences, rooted in history and part of everyday life. During Hispanic Heritage Month, travelers can experience this unique culture through food, music, and dance. Southern New Mexico’s historic Mesilla was once a crossroad for Mexican revolutionaries, American outlaws, and cowboys. Today, the town’s heritage remains well preserved. The Mesilla Plaza comes alive for Dia De Los Muertos, Mexican Independence Day and Mariachi Sundays.

Albuquerque is known as the Flamenco Capital of North America and during Tablao Flamenco, visitors are treated to a four-course Spanish-inspired meal live flamenco performance. Chimayó, just north of Santa Fe, is just as spiritual as it is historic. The Santuario de Chimayó sits on what is believed to be sacred ground and the reported site of many miracles. Chimayo is also known for intricate weaving and other crafts, as well as the Chimayo red chile pepper.

Yakima Valley, Washington

Latino culture is strongly reflected in this region’s food, art, traditions and family-owned businesses. Visitors can follow the Yakima Valley Taco & Tamale Trail, featuring more than 30 stops serving authentic regional specialties to include James Beard Award-winning Los Hernandez Tamales. The celebration continues into later fall with Dia de los Muertos in Tieton, where the community gathers around a large public altar (ofrenda), filled with photographs, messages and meaningful mementos. The 2026 celebration takes place October 25, followed by an art exhibition through November 15.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, home to the famous Alamo, celebrates the Fiestas Patrias season honoring Mexican Independence and the city’s deep Mexican American heritage with music, dance, food, art and community tradition. Signature events include the Dieciséis de Septiembre Parade, El Grito Cultural Program & Civic Ceremony and Fiestas Patrias in Historic Market Square on September 12, Mariachi Festival (October 10), and Fiesta Alegria held near Plaza Guadalupe on Guadalupe Street, the official local closing event for National Hispanic Heritage Month on October 10.

San Diego, California

San Diego is an ideal place to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month because of its deep Mexican-American history, diverse Latino communities, and strong connection to Mexico. Located right next to the U.S.-Mexico border makes Mexican culture an important part of the region’s history and identity. Throughout the city, Hispanic Heritage Month brings cultural festivals, concerts, dance performances, art exhibits, and community celebrations.

Located in Barrio Logan, Chicano Park is famous for its colorful murals celebrating Mexican-American history, culture, and civil rights. Areas such as Barrio Logan and Old Town showcase Mexican heritage through food, art, music, architecture, and community traditions.

Miami, Florida

Miami is one of the best U.S. cities for Hispanic Heritage Month because Hispanic and Latin American culture isn't just celebrated there for a month—it is a major part of the city's everyday identity. You don’t have to go looking for Hispanic culture, it surrounds you everywhere.

Little Havana is probably the most recognizable place to experience Miami's Hispanic culture. Along Calle Ocho, you’ll find Cuban restaurants, cafés, art galleries, cigar shops, live music, and the famous ventanitas (walk-up windows serving Cuban coffee and food). The neighborhood also hosts Viernes Culturales, a recurring cultural celebration with salsa, live music, dancing, food, and walking tours.

Miami's celebrations aren't just speeches and exhibits. Hispanic Heritage Month features salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton, Latin jazz, theater, and traditional dance.

Even soccer gets involved in the festivities. For 2026, Inter Miami CF is holding a Hispanic Heritage Night on September 20 when it plays San Diego FC. The club says the event will celebrate Hispanic culture and traditions and recognize the impact of Hispanic communities on South Florida and soccer.

Mexico’s Riviera Maya

Mexico's Riviera Maya is a jungle oasis on Riviera Maya’s Caribbean coast where guests can experience authentic Mayan and Mexican culture through immersive traditions, storytelling, cuisine, and impressive nature. Sandals Caracol Nature Reserve & Water Park magically celebrates the region's rich heritage with signature nightly performances, including the Sacred Fire Ceremony, Red Queen Ceremony, and Sacred Cenote shows. These captivating shows bring centuries-old Mayan legends to life through fire, dance, music, and elaborate costumes in the very landscape where ancient villages and sacred cenotes still exist today.

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