National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15 and is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions, history, and vibrant culture of Hispanic Americans. Whether you’re looking for family outings, at-home crafts, food adventures, or story time inspiration, here are plenty of ways you can join in the celebration right here in The Woodlands and beyond.
Attend Local Events & Community Fun
Look for family-friendly events happening throughout The Woodlands and nearby communities during this month:
- Sept 12: Houston Symphony presents West Side Story @ Miller Outdoor Theatre - See event details
- Sept. 13: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration @ Children's Museum of Houston - Performances, crafts, speech reenactment, live mariachi, Aztec dancing, fan making, and flag designing - See event details
- Sept. 13: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month @ Tullis Library - Pinata craft, game, free raffle - See event details
- Sept. 15: El Grito @ Miller Outdoor Theatre - See event details
- Sept. 20: 4th Annual HCPL Hispanic Heritage Fiesta @ Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library - Live music & dance, craft stations, activity stations, children's authors, refreshments, free books for kids - See event details
- Sept 20: Raíces Unidas: Hispanic Heritage Month @ Mercer Post Oak Pavilion - Music, dancing, family fun - See event details
- Sept 23: Boogie Bash @ The Woodlands Children's Museum - In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, explore songs and dances from Hispanic countries around the world - See event details
- Sept 23: Hispanic Heritage Cooking Class (for adults and teens) @ LSC Tomball Library - Learn about Latin American cuisine, history, and culture while making Maya Pumpkin Seed Dip. Registration required - See event details
- Sept. 25: Shadow Puppet Theater @ The Woodlands Children's Museum - In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Shadow Puppet Theater presents “What Can You Do with a Paleta?” by Carmen Tafolla - See event details
- Sept. 27: Movies on the Lawn @ The Woodlands Mall - Free outdoor movie - "Selena" in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month - See event details
- Sept. 27: Dia de la Hispanidad @ Miller Outdoor Theatre - See event details
- Oct 2-4: 46th Annual Festival Chicano @ Miller Outdoor Theatre - See event details
- Oct. 9: Adelante! - Hispanic Business Expo @ Lone Star College System Office - Connect with business leaders, explore new opportunities, and honor the vibrant spirit of Hispanic business ownership - See event details
Read Books That Celebrate Hispanic Voices
Children’s literature is a colorful and engaging way to celebrate Hispanic culture. These books are bursting with vibrant illustrations, inspiring stories, and themes of family, music, and resilience. You can find many at your local library or build a home collection so you can revisit them year-round:
Picture Books:
- Pepe and the Parade by Tracey Kyle
- Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers
- Dancing Hands by Margarita Engle
- Island Born by Junot Díaz
- Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña
- Plátanos Go with Everything by Lissette Norman
- Coquí in the City by Nomar Perez
- Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto (a family favorite!)
Chapter Books / Novels:
- Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
- Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes
Pro tip: Pair your reading time with a map or globe to show your kids where the stories take place.
CLICK HERE to browse this book list on Amazon.
Try Fun Crafts
Hands-on projects bring culture to life! Some easy ideas to try:
- Mexican Pinch Pots: Use Crayola air-dry clay and paint your creations with acrylic paints. Search YouTube for “Mexican pinch pot tutorial” and follow along. I recommend this Crayola Air-Dry Clay for fun clay projects like this.
- Paper Flowers: Bright tissue paper flowers are simple to make and add festive flair to your home.
- Flags of Hispanic Countries: Print and color flags with your kids, then hang them as a garland.
- Musical Instruments: Create DIY maracas with rice and plastic Easter eggs, or cardboard guitars for little ones to decorate.
Watch, Listen & Dance
Music and film are fantastic entry points into culture. Some family-friendly favorites:
- Movies: Watch Coco, The Book of Life, or Encanto for an animated introduction to Hispanic traditions and music. Other favorites that older kids might enjoy are Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Selena, and In the Heights.
- Music: Stream Latin artists like Carlos Santana, Celia Cruz, Selena, or the modern favorite “Soy Yo” by Bomba Estéreo.
- Live Performances: Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston often hosts free events. This year will feature: West Side Story produced by the Houston Symphony (September 12), El Grito (September 15), Dia de la Hispanidad (September 27), and 46th Annual Festival Chicano (October 2-4)
Taste the Flavors
Food is one of the most delicious ways to celebrate!
- Local Eats:
- Try paletas at Paco Pops in Porter or Mexican baked goods at Panaderia Estrella on Sawdust Rd in The Woodlands.
- Head to the Gosling Road Food Truck Park (24600 Gosling Rd) for pupusas and Latin American street food.
- Dine at Xalisko in The Woodlands for contemporary and traditional Mexican cuisine, plus live music on select nights.
- At-Home Cooking:
- Bake alfajores (sweet sandwich cookies).
- Make arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), a traditional favorite, for lunch.
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Try your hand at homemade tamales—or just enjoy the classic tale Too Many Tamales while you eat store-bought ones from Granny's Tamales in Old Town Spring.
Show Your Spirit
Festive clothing adds to the celebration. Amazon and other retailers have colorful t-shirts and accessories made especially for Hispanic Heritage Month. Pair them with jeans and you’re ready for any fiesta!
Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating the rich diversity of cultures, histories, and contributions that make up the Hispanic community. Whether you’re exploring new foods, enjoying a lively concert, reading stories together, or making colorful crafts, these activities can bring joy and learning to your whole family.
*If you make a purchase through a link in this post, I might receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you!
