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 28% of the population, as of 2022.
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. Scroll on below to learn about Sonoma County’s Hispanic Heritage Month happenings.
Sonoma County Library events
The Sonoma County Library system will host a number of Hispanic Heritage Month events for people of all ages from September through October at all regional libraries. Events and workshops are free to attend, but some select events require registration.
The library’s Hispanic Heritage events include, but are not limited to: author talks, Spanish music singalongs, cultural painting parties, cooking demonstrations and sugar skull making workshops for kids. To learn more about select events and register for workshops, click here.
Other Sonoma County Events
Celebrating the Huipil at SRJC’s Multicultural Museum, Sept. 3 – Oct. 3
Santa Rosa Junior College’s Multicultural Museum is observing Latinx Heritage Month with a month-long exhibit entitled “Celebrating the Huipil,” on display now through Oct. 3. The exhibit features a collection of colorful huipils: traditional, hand-woven garments worn by Indigenous women from Mexico to Central America. Fall museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The museum and its exhibits are free to attend, but donations are welcome.
1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-4479, museum.santarosa.edu
Rohnert Park Downtown Festival Car Show, Sept. 7
Before Hispanic Heritage Month officially kicks off, Rohnert Park will be host to its first lowrider festival, organized by Rudy Campos and Taqueria Sol Azteca owner Frankie Lemus. The festival and car show, held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 7, will include live music, food vendors, merchant booths and a car hop competition. There will be performances by Los Del 7, Q-Vo Band and Danza Xantotl de Santa Rosa, among others. The event is free to attend and there will be over 100 trophies awaiting winners in the car show. Register your car for the show here.
6400 State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park
Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making, Sept. 12-Nov. 3
An upcoming exhibition at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum will explore true stories from California’s Mexican Period, from 1822 to 1846, contrasted with fantasy narratives from early settlers that created an enduring California mythos. The “Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making” exhibit, running from Sept. 12 through Nov. 3, will highlight California’s history before statehood, the oft-ignored stories of indigenous peoples and the fictionalized lore that persists today. A free opening reception will take place from 5–7 p.m. on Sept. 7. The California Historical Society and nonprofit Exhibit Envoy developed and organized the exhibit for the Petaluma Museum.
20 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-778-4398, petalumamuseum.com
VIDA Cultural Arts Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Sept. 13 and Sept. 15
Local nonprofit VIDA Cultural Arts will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at its forthcoming Sueños Market, themed “Viva Mexico,” from 5-9 p.m., Sept. 13, at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. The free event will include local artisan crafts and food vendors as well as live music and cultural performances, such as a Ballet Folklórico and Baile con la Banda. Learn more at Eventeny. 50 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa.
VIDA will also host its lively Mexican Independence Day festival from 1-7 p.m., Sept. 15, on the Sonoma Plaza. The celebration is free to attend and will include live performances as well as an artisan market showcasing local goods and food vendors. A special moment of the day will see the San Francisco Mexican Consulate leading the community in El Grito, referring to “the shout” for Mexican Independence.
Sonoma Plaza, 453 First St. E., Sonoma, facebook.com/vidaculturalarts
Gran Baile De La Independencia, Sept. 13-14
The Barrel Proof Lounge will celebrate Mexican and Central American heritage and independence with a night of live music and dancing from 10 p.m. Sept. 13 to 1 a.m. Sept. 14. There will be musical performances by Jasid Guerrero (salsa, merengue and other stylings) and DJ Mambo (banda and reguetón). The 21 and over event will have drinks available for purchase. General admission is $15 on Eventbrite, $20 at the door.
501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-852-2196, barrelprooflounge.com
Fiestas Patrias de Windsor, Sept. 14
Nonprofit Somos Windsor will observe the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration of Mexico’s Day of Independence, from 4–8 p.m. Sept. 14 on the Windsor Town Green. The fiesta will include free activities and live music, including performances from Rocío la Dama de Cumbia and Cali Calmécac’s Ballet Folklórico. Attendees are welcome to bring low-backed beach or camp chairs to lounge and enjoy the festivities. There will be food trucks selling food and drink as well as a Latino arts and crafts market with artisan goods for sale.
Windsor Town Green, 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor, somoswindsor.org
Vinos del Valle, Sept. 14
Santa Rosa’s Mitote Food Park will host Vinos del Valle, a grand food and wine tasting event highlighting local Latino vintners, from 5-8:30 p.m. Sept. 14. The community event will feature wines and winemakers from Suspiro Wines, 1467 Cellars, Ludor Wines, Surcos Wines and Reclamación Wines. General admission is $35. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com
Pachanga & Art, Sept. 14
Local nonprofit Corazón Healdsburg and Healdsburg Community Services will host an arts and culture community celebration to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, starting at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 on the Healdsburg Plaza. The free event will include a showcase of artwork from Diversity in Arts grant recipients, children’s activities, local food vendors, and music and dance performances. A bike valet will be available.
Healdsburg Plaza, off Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, 707-615-4567, corazonhealdsburg.org
Fiesta de Independencia, Sept. 15
Presented by Redwood Credit Union, the 15th annual Fiesta de Independencia at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts will include various family-friendly activities, music and food from 1-7 p.m. on Sept. 15. The Center’s Latino Advisory Council organized the free festival, which aims to honor Latin American countries and their independence. The event will include cultural exhibits, a lowrider car show, mariachi and Ballet Folklórico performances, and headliners Arpeños (at 4 p.m.) and El Tributo a La Sonora Santanera (at 6 p.m.). In partnership with Los Cien Sonoma County, the Center will also present its annual Community Leadership Awards to recognize an individual and an organization that has shown outstanding commitment to the local Latino community through activism, education and mentorship.
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org
Celebrando Culturas Juntos (Cultures Celebrating Together), Sept. 21
The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County will host its annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, sponsored by Redwood Credit Union, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 21. The day of children’s programs and art activities will include maraca making, live dance performances, interactive gardening with traditional Hispanic crops, collaborative arts from local artist and teacher Martín Zúñiga, Frida Kahlo-inspired self-portraits, creating paper mâché alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk sculptures) and much more. There will also be treats available from Fruta Ice Cream and Mama Zara Empanadas, as well as a lesson on corn tortillas from Los Tres Chiles restaurant with free samples. All events are included in the $16 general admission, and free for museum members and infants.
1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-4069, cmosc.org
Hispanic Heritage Month Brunch in the Vineyard, Sept. 21
Enriquez Estate Wines will close out its popular “Brunch in the Vineyard” series this year with a Hispanic Heritage Month-themed brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 21. Chef Robert of SoCo Paella will be on site preparing seafood and meat paella with seasonal vegetables. The brunch menu will also include Spanish albondigas (meatballs) in a smoky tomato sauce and conchita pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), paired with award-winning estate wines. Brazilian indie band Complicated Animals will provide live music entertainment. Tickets are $75 per person; purchase on the website or Tock.
5960 Eastside Road, Forestville, 707-347-9719, enriquezwines.com
Global Roots Sonoma, Sept. 21
Sonoma County’s world music festival Global Roots Sonoma will be held from noon to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center. The lineup for the one-day festival includes Lila Downs, Caña Dulce y Caña Brava, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, AR Flamenco Trio and more. Food trucks will be available on site. Tickets are $54. Purchase tickets online.
1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu
11th State of the Latine Community Address, Sept. 26
Local nonprofit Los Cien will host its 11th annual State of the Latine Community Address from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 in SSU’s ballroom. Hundreds of attendees gather at the annual event to hear insightful keynotes and engage in thought-provoking dialogue that addresses disparities within local Latine communities as well as actionable steps to inspire positive change. A highlight of the gathering will include an unveiling and discussion of Health Action Together’s Agenda for Action report in response to the county’s Portrait of Sonoma County 2021 Update, showing human stories behind the data. General admission is $45 for members and $65 for non-members. Purchase tickets online.
Sonoma State University Ballroom, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 415-320-4559, loscien.org
Charles M. Schulz Museum Jazz Connections, Oct. 5
Healdsburg Jazz will present its Family Matinee Concert Series at the Charles Schulz Museum, with a live performance by percussionist and educator Ami Molinelli and her San Francisco-based Brazilian quartet Grupo Falso Baiano to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The free event, which will start with an author talk, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 5. The concert series starts at noon.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-579-4452, schulzmuseum.org