National Hispanic Heritage Month, officially celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, pays tribute to the historical, cultural influences and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
The nationally observed month was originally established as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and was expanded to a 30-day period in 1988.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino provides a wealth of information on the month, including background on key Latin Independence Days, important figures in Latino communities through history, and explorations into Latin food, art and culture.
According to Data USA, Hispanic people make up the second largest ethnic group in Sonoma County, after non-Hispanic white people, accounting for 29.4% of the population, as of 2023.
To honor the county’s rich Hispanic and Latino culture and community, local museums and organizations have planned a number of events for people to participate in. Read on below to learn about Sonoma County’s Hispanic Heritage Month happenings, including some Día de los Muertos celebrations.
If you can’t make it to any of this year’s events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, you can still support the local Hispanic and Latino community by dining at some of our favorite Latin and Mexican restaurants in Sonoma County.
Museum of Sonoma County Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Sept. 13
The Museum of Sonoma County’s 29th annual Día de los Muertos exhibit will open with a day of free, family-friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 13. The day will include a papel picado workshop, a chance to meet live birds from The Bird Rescue Center, and a workshop on the Mexican tin art style of hojalata. Admission is free for opening day. The exhibit will run through Nov. 2 and feature artists such as Jesus Bravo, Liz Camino-Byers, Nathan Gomez, Cristina M. Briano and Ruben Guzman. 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-579-1500, museumsc.org
Fiestas Patrias de Windsor, Sept. 13
Nonprofit Somos Windsor will observe Mexico’s Day of Independence with a celebration from 4-8 p.m. Sept. 13 on the Windsor Town Green. The fiesta will include free activities, live music and fireworks. There will be street trucks selling food and drink as well as a Latino arts and crafts market with artisan goods for sale. Attendees are welcome to bring low-backed beach or camp chairs to lounge and enjoy the festivities. Windsor Town Green, 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor, somoswindsor.org
Fiesta de Independencia, Sept. 14
Redwood Credit Union will host the 16th annual Fiesta de Independencia from 1-7 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. This free Hispanic Heritage Month festival will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, a lowrider show, live music, dance performances, cultural exhibits and traditional cuisine. Organized by the Center’s Latino Advisory Council, the festival celebrates Latin American countries and their independence. In collaboration with Los Cien Sonoma County, the Center will also present its annual Community Leadership Awards, honoring an individual and an organization for their outstanding dedication to the local Latino community through activism, education and mentorship. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org
Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Sonoma Plaza, Sept. 14
Nonprofit VIDA Cultural Arts will present its annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month from 1-7 p.m., Sept. 14, on the Sonoma Plaza. The free, family-friendly event will include an authentic flag ceremony led by Consulate General of Mexico, San Francisco, as well as cultural performances with live musical accompaniment. There will also be a lowrider car show, food vendors and a mercadito pop-up market with crafts from local artisans. From 2-5 p.m., Bay Area nonprofit Music In Place will join in celebrating Mexican Independence Day on the Sonoma Plaza as part of its “Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza” series. The free community show will feature live mariachi music at the Grinstead Amphitheater. Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma, sonomacity.org
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County Hispanic Heritage Month events, Sept. 14 – Oct. 12
While the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County isn’t hosting its annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Celebrando Culturas Juntos, this year, it will have several related events throughout the month. The museum will have its Museum-on-the-Go at this year’s Fiesta de Independencia at the Luther Burbank Center on Sept. 14. A pop-up craft series in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will happen from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Fridays and 1-3 p.m. Saturdays from Sept. 19 through Oct. 11. Canciones del Mundo, a sing-a-long music experience celebrating songs from Central and South America, will be held from 1-1:30 p.m. every Sunday from Sept. 21 through Oct. 12. 1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-4069, cmosc.org
El Grito Fest, Sept. 16
Local Spanish-language radio stations La Maquina Musical and La Musikera will host Santa Rosa’s first-ever El Grito Fest from 4-9 p.m., Sept. 16, at Old Courthouse Square. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the Independence Days of Latin America, the cultural festival will feature live music and traditional dance performances. Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez will lead the “Grito de Independencia” — the historic call for freedom and cultural pride. The family-friendly event will also include food vendors, artisan booths, children’s activities and nonprofit resources. Admission is free. Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, 707-545-1460, downtownsantarosa.org/events/el-grito-fest
Santa Rosa Junior College Herencia Events, Sept. 17 – Oct. 17
Santa Rosa Junior College’s Intercultural Center is hosting a handful of free events as part of its months-long “Herencia” celebration promoting Indigenous and Latine cultures. 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-4011, santarosa.edu
First up is “Flor y Canto,” a workshop illustrating the importance of preserving personal and familial narratives. Actor, poet and musician Nicolás Valdez will host the event, sharing experiences as a professional artist through live performances. From noon to 1 p.m., Sept. 17, at the Petaluma Student Engagement and Success Center, Building 500 on the Petaluma campus.
“Sanación con Hierbas,” or “Healing with Herbs,” is a bilingual workshop for those who want to learn and educate others about medicinal herbs and other forms of healing. From 5-7 p.m., Sept. 19, at the Santa Rosa Intercultural Center, room 380 in Pioneer Hall.
The Junior College’s “La Carpa” talent show invites students, staff and community members to participate in an evening of singing, dancing, comedy, acting, magic and more, from 6-8 p.m., Sept. 25, at the Burbank Auditorium. Talent show participants will be entered into a drawing.
The public is welcome to join “Baile: Noche de Selena” for an evening of dancing to Latin American music, such as the late singer-songwriter Selena. The event will feature DJ Spooky. From 7-10 p.m., Sept. 26, at the Santa Rosa Intercultural Center.
Mexican-born rapper, poet, filmmaker and lecturer Bocafloja will lead a presentation and discussion, called “Capturing Resistance with Bocafloja,” on how photography and narrative writing can be used as a tool to challenge colonial norms and expectations. From 1:30-2:30 p.m., Oct. 9, at the Santa Rosa Intercultural Center.
SRJC’s Dream Center and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office will host a weeklong series of events for Undocumented Student Action Week, Oct. 13-17. When available, upcoming event information will be posted at dream.santarosa.edu/events-workshops-2025.
Noche de Lucha Libre, Sept. 19
VIDA Cultural Arts will host Noche de Lucha Libre (night of the wrestlers) from 5-9 p.m., Sept. 19, at Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and National Lucha Libre Day. Admission is free for the event, which will include live music, free lucha libre masks, luchador meet-and-greets, mask-making opportunities and a lowrider car show. Food and lucha libre-themed products will be available for purchase from local Mexican street food vendors and artisan craft booths. Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, vidaculturalarts.org
Mariachi Herencia de México Concert, Oct. 3
Two-time Latin Grammy Award–nominee Mariachi Herencia de México will bring its La Nueva Generación tour to Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center for a night of chart-topping, energetic mariachi music. Show starts at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 3, in Weill Hall. Tickets are $31-$81. But tickets online or at the GMC box office. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu
LumaFest, Oct. 18
SRJC Petaluma’s annual open house and Día de los Muertos celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 18, on the Petaluma campus. The free, family-friendly festival will include ofrendas, lectures, live performances, food trucks, club and community booths, science shows and art activities, such as skull decorating. Learn more at lumafest.santarosa.edu. 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, 707-778-2415, petaluma.santarosa.edu