A Family Guide to Celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month in Houston
Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, making it the perfect place to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family! From vibrant festivals to family-friendly events, Houston offers plenty of opportunities for you and your children to explore Hispanic culture in a fun, interactive way. Whether you’re looking for traditional foods, live music, art, or educational activities, Houston has it all. In this blog post, we’ll explore exciting ways your family can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Houston. We’ll also share fun events that you and your children won’t want to miss!
Why Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time of year to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. In Houston, a city with deep Latin American roots, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a great way for families to connect with the rich diversity of the region, learn about different traditions, and enjoy meaningful cultural experiences together.
Fun Ways to Celebrate with Your Family in Houston
From festivals to museum exhibits, there are countless ways to immerse your family in Hispanic culture during this month-long celebration. Here are some fun and engaging activities for families with children:
- Attend a Hispanic Heritage Festival.- Houston hosts several Hispanic Heritage Month festivals that are perfect for families. These festivals are full of vibrant music, traditional foods, and cultural performances, providing a lively way to introduce your children to Hispanic and Latinx culture.
Houston Fiestas Patrias Parade: Held annually in downtown Houston, this parade celebrates Mexican Independence Day and features colorful floats, traditional costumes, and lively mariachi bands. Your kids will love the excitement and energy of this festive parade, which is a great way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month! https://www.facebook.com/fiestaspatriasparade/
Festival Hispano de Houston: This free family event showcases the diversity of Latin American countries with music, dance performances, arts and crafts, and authentic food. Kids can participate in hands-on cultural activities, making it a fun learning experience. https://theofficialhoustonlatinfest.com/
- Explore Hispanic Art and History at Museums.- Houston’s museums offer special exhibits and events during Hispanic Heritage Month, providing educational opportunities for the whole family.
Houston Children’s Museum: Offering a DIY Pinata Workshop, the Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico, the Grito Reenactment, Mariachi Jarabe Tapatio and much more! https://www.cmhouston.org/events/fiestas-patrias
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH): MFAH often features special exhibits showcasing Latin American and Hispanic art during this month. Take your children on a journey through the vibrant colors and intricate designs of Hispanic artists. You can also check out family art-making activities inspired by the exhibits. https://www.mfah.org/visit/latino-heritage
Houston Museum of Natural Science – Latin American Galleries: This museum has permanent exhibits showcasing the ancient civilizations of Latin America, such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. Exploring these galleries with your children will teach them about the history and contributions of these great cultures. https://www.hmns.org/
The Heritage Society: Visit The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park for a glimpse into Houston’s diverse past, including Hispanic influences. During Hispanic Heritage Month, they often host special events and tours that highlight Houston’s Hispanic history. https://www.heritagesociety.org/national-hispanic-heritage-month
- Take a Family Cooking Class.- What better way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month than by cooking traditional Hispanic dishes together as a family? Houston offers family-friendly cooking classes that focus on Latin American cuisine, giving you and your kids the chance to learn new recipes while bonding in the kitchen.
Central Market Cooking School: Central Market frequently offers cooking classes for families, including classes that focus on Hispanic cuisine. Learn to make delicious dishes like empanadas, tacos, or churros, and enjoy the fruits of your labor together as a family. https://www.centralmarket.com/cooking-school
Young Chefs Academy: This kid-friendly cooking school sometimes offers themed classes around Hispanic Heritage Month, where children can learn how to prepare traditional Hispanic meals in a fun and interactive setting. https://youngchefsacademy.com/
- Visit a Local Hispanic Heritage Library Event.- Many of Houston’s public libraries host special events during Hispanic Heritage Month, offering a variety of free, family-friendly programs such as bilingual storytimes, craft workshops, and cultural performances.
Houston Public Library (HPL): Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, HPL branches across the city host bilingual storytimes featuring classic tales from Hispanic cultures. These sessions introduce children to Hispanic folktales while enhancing their Spanish language skills. https://houstonlibrary.org/home
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft: Keep an eye for free workshops where kids can make traditional Hispanic crafts like papel picado or learn about iconic figures like Frida Kahlo through hands-on activities. https://crafthouston.org/
- Dance and Music Classes for Kids.- Hispanic culture is known for its lively music and dance traditions. Enrolling your children in a Hispanic dance or music class is a great way to introduce them to the rhythm and energy of Hispanic heritage.
Houston Metropolitan Dance Center: This center offers dance classes for children, and during Hispanic Heritage Month, they often include workshops on traditional Hispanic dances like salsa, merengue, and folklorico. These classes are a fun way for kids to get active while learning about Latin American culture. https://www.metdance.org/
MECA Houston: Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA) provides music and dance classes for children, many of which are rooted in Latin American traditions. Enrolling your kids in a class during Hispanic Heritage Month can be a wonderful way to immerse them in the world of Hispanic music and dance. https://www.meca-houston.org/
- Family Day at Discovery Green.- Discovery Green often hosts special events during Hispanic Heritage Month that are perfect for families. These events might include outdoor concerts featuring Latin music, dance performances, or family-friendly workshops that introduce kids to Hispanic culture through fun, interactive activities. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day of outdoor fun while soaking in the rich cultural experiences that these events offer. https://www.discoverygreen.com/
Don’t Miss These Family-Friendly Events in Houston!
Here are some top events happening in Houston during Hispanic Heritage Month that your family won’t want to miss:
Houston Fiestas Patrias Parade (September 16): Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a colorful parade in downtown Houston. This is one of the city’s biggest and most vibrant events, featuring floats, live music, and traditional costumes from various Hispanic countries. https://www.facebook.com/fiestaspatriasparade/
Grito Fest in Baytown (October 7): A family-friendly festival that includes live music, cultural performances, traditional food vendors, and even a kid’s zone with games and activities. This free event is a great way to wrap up your Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. https://baytown.org/
Día de los Muertos Celebration at the National Museum of Funeral History (October 15): Learn about the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, at this educational and fun family event. Kids will enjoy face painting, sugar skull decorating, and learning about the meaning behind this important Hispanic celebration. https://www.nmfh.org/event/day-of-the-dead-market/
MECA’s Día de los Muertos Festival (November 4-5): Although it happens just after Hispanic Heritage Month, this event is a must for families. MECA’s Día de los Muertos festival is one of the most colorful and festive events in Houston, featuring altars, live music, arts and crafts, and delicious food. https://www.meca-houston.org/dia-de-muertos.html
Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time for families to celebrate the rich diversity of Hispanic culture. Whether you’re attending a lively parade, cooking a delicious meal together, or enjoying a museum exhibit, these activities provide an opportunity for your children to learn about and appreciate the beauty of Hispanic heritage.
Houston’s vibrant Hispanic community is full of exciting events and experiences that will leave your family with lasting memories. So grab your calendar, mark these dates, and get ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family in the most fun and engaging way possible!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from Language Kids World!
Do you want to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and how you can embrace it with your family? Check out our blog post “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Your Family: A Journey of Culture, Language and Connection”.
Founder and Director of Education at Language Kids.
M. Ed.
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