El Paso will mark Hispanic Heritage Month, observed nationwide from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with a wide slate of celebrations, from museum workshops and community kermeses to the annual Grito de Dolores that fills Downtown with music, food and dance. Anchored by the Vivamos México! El Grito Celebration at the El Paso Convention Center, the month’s events underscore the city’s ties to Mexican tradition and the vibrancy of Latino culture in the borderland.
The El Paso Museum of History, the Mexican American Cultural Center and other institutions also will host programming around the grito, blending art, history and community gathering.
Hispanic Heritage Month was first established in 1968 as a weeklong observance and expanded to a month in 1988. It honors the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
This year’s observances take place against a shifting national backdrop. The Trump administration has eliminated federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, creating uncertainty about the future of heritage months and other diversity initiatives at the federal level. While those changes do not alter the community-driven programming in El Paso, they provide a different context for celebrations that have historically been recognized and supported in national institutions.
What follows is a guide to events happening across the region during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Events
• Grito Celebration: El Paso will once again host its official Vivamos México! El Grito Celebration from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the El Paso Convention Center and surrounding plaza. The free event marks the 214th anniversary of Mexico’s independence and will feature live music, traditional food, entertainment, children’s rides, giveaways and more. Presented by the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso and Visit El Paso, the event offers the community a chance to gather Downtown for one of the city’s most vibrant cultural traditions.
• Kermés de los Vecinos at Cleveland Square: The El Paso Museum of History and the Mexican American Cultural Center will host a free Kermés de los Vecinos on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Cleveland Square Park, 510 N Santa Fe St. The day begins with programming inside the MACC from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where visitors can create tricolor decorations, learn traditional crafts, sample antojitos and join ballet folklórico classes in preparation for Mexican Independence Day. From 4 to 7:30 p.m., the celebration moves outdoors with a community kermés featuring games, food and music ahead of the Vivamos México Official Grito taking place later that evening at the El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza. Information: epmacc.org/events
• Maraca painting at Museum of Art: The El Paso Museum of Art will host Family Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, featuring a free maraca-painting activity in the museum lobby while supplies last. The event is part of Vivamos Mexico: Official Grito in Downtown El Paso, organized by Visit El Paso, and offers families a creative way to celebrate the weekend’s festivities. Admission is free and open to the public. Information: epma.art
• Tragos con Alma at Museum of History: The El Paso Museum of History will mark Mexican Independence Day with Tragos con Alma, a special tasting event highlighting spirits from across Mexico. In collaboration with Borderland Imports, the program will guide participants through the history of spirit production and its ties to the country’s cultural heritage. The tasting takes place from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the museum, 510 N. Santa Fe St. Tickets are $25, or $20 for museum members, and are limited to guests ages 21 and older. Attendees can continue the celebration afterward at the Vivamos México festivities, which begin at 5 p.m. outside the museum. Information and reservations: rosen@elpasotexas.gov
• Escaramuza Showcase: The El Paso Museum of History also will host an Escaramuza Showcase from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. The free, family-friendly event will highlight traditional Mexican performing arts through a 30-minute program that includes a fashion show of escaramuza attire, a roping demonstration, a performance of the Jarabe Tapatío — Mexico’s national dance — and poetry by Gustavo Urrea. The showcase offers audiences a showcase of equestrian artistry, cultural expression and music in the heart of Downtown.
• Fiesta Mexicana at Soggy Peso: Soggy Peso will host Fiesta Mexicana on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 11355 Pellicano Drive. The free, family-friendly event will feature live mariachi and folklórico performances, a variety of local vendors, and a special Mexican-themed menu available for purchase. With its open patio setting, the evening is designed to celebrate Mexican culture through music, food and community gathering.
• 915 Chuco Day Market: Chuco Relic will host its annual 915 Chuco Day Market Celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at its Central location, 3750 Gateway Blvd. East. The event will showcase El Paso pride with local vendors, food, drinks, live music, mariachis and dancing. Guests can explore art and merchandise from community creators while enjoying performances that highlight the borderland’s culture and traditions. The evening serves as one of the city’s signature celebrations of “915 Day,” honoring El Paso’s identity and community spirit.
• Diez y Seis in the Vineyard: Zin Valle Vineyards in Canutillo will host a special Diez y Seis Party in the Vineyard on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. The event, which runs from 4 to 9 p.m., will feature live music from Jezzika Sax from 5 to 8 p.m., along with wine, food and entertainment. Z Bistro will serve a fajita bar with beef, chicken and a fresh salsa bar, with early-bird tickets available for $25 and $30 on the day of the event. Admission to the celebration is free, and parking and seating will be first-come, first-served.
• Cerveza Fest at the County Coliseum: Cerveza Fest and Battle of the Bands debuts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the El Paso County Coliseum pavilion, 4100 E. Paisano Drive. The event, which goes until 10 p.m., features a Battle of the Bands, craft-beer tastings, food trucks, a local makers market, live painting and an art lottery. Early-bird general admission is $10 for ages 18 and older ($15 at the gate); ages 17 and younger are free. A $25 VIP ticket includes VIP seating, a lanyard, a limited-edition signed art print and a beer ticket. VIP tables for six are $150 and include reserved seating, a charcuterie plate, VIP perks and six art prints. The event is family-friendly and leashed-dog friendly; IDs required for ages 18 and older. Information: epcountycoliseum.com
• Lincoln Park Day: Lincoln Park will come alive with art, music and tradition at the annual Lincoln Park Day on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 4001 Durazno St. The celebration, recognized as the region’s largest lowrider car show, brings together families and the community for a day of Chicano art, classic cars, live entertainment and local food. The event highlights El Paso’s cultural heritage while showcasing the creativity of lowrider owners and artists from across the area. Information: Lincoln Park Conservation Committee.
• Border Folk Festival: The 10th annual El Paso Border Folk Festival Music Conference and Concert Series will showcase the sounds and traditions that define the border region, culminating in a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. The evening will feature Mariachi Los Camperos and Tesoro. In addition to performances, the multi-day conference offers workshops and networking opportunities for students from school and community music programs, highlighting mariachi as well as other genres to promote music education, technique and appreciation. Information and tickets:epborderfest.com
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