Lea este artículo en español: Dónde Celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana 2025 en Oregón
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, communities across the U.S. mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to recognize the cultural contributions, histories and lived experiences of the Latino population. The month often begins with “El Grito,” the traditional reenactment of Mexico’s 1810 call to independence.
In Oregon, the month arrives at a time of political tension and anxiety for many Latino communities, with ongoing debates over immigration policy, education access and workers’ rights shaping daily life.
Some longstanding events, including Hillsboro’s El Grito Celebration, Central Oregon’s Latino Fest and ¡Viva Salem!, have been paused or scaled back in response to safety concerns or budget shortfalls. But many organizers are doubling down, choosing to celebrate joy, heritage and visibility as forms of resistance.
Across the state, this year’s calendar includes a mix of festivals, storytelling events, film screenings, concerts and community gatherings. Here’s what you can expect in 2025.
Portland
Celebrating Mexican Heritage through Charrería: Stelo presents an exhibition by Oliver Casillas and Inés Magaña that explores the cultural practice of charrería (a Mexican equestrian tradition) through immersive murals and photography.
5-8 p.m. reception, Thursday, Sept. 4; runs through Sept. 27; Stelo, 412 N.W. Eighth Ave.; steloarts.org/stelo-events/charreria
Milagro Theatre: “Worry Dolls,” a new play by Maya Malan-Gonzalez, examines adolescent anxiety and grief through the symbolic lens of Guatemalan worry dolls. Special events include a playwright talkback at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, and a mental health expert talkback at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.
Show runs Sept. 5-21; El Centro Milagro, 525 S.E. Stark St.; tickets are $22-$30; milagro.org/event/worry-dolls-2
El Grito Ride: Cycle Homies hosts a themed cycling event emphasizing cumbia music and dance culture, concluding with a dance lesson led by Anita Ayala from Lines Dance Academy.
6:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; Salmon Street Springs, 1000 S.W. Naito Pkwy.; free to attend; Instagram @cyclehomies.
The Immigrant Story Live: The Immigrant Story features four migrants sharing personal narratives reflecting on belonging and identity, followed by live mariachi and folkloric dance to connect audience and culture through performance.
7-9:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13; U.S. Bank Main Stage at The Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.; free with reservation; theimmigrantstory.org/the-immigrant-story-live-at-pcs/
El Grito Portland 2025: Portland’s El Grito returns as a two-day community festival combining traditional performances, cultural displays, food vendors and a ceremonial reenactment of the historic call to independence.
1-10 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15; Rose Quarter Commons, 1 North Center Court St.; free to attend; elgritoportland.com
Nuestra Cultura: JUNTOSpdx returns with its fourth annual block‑party‑style festival, spotlighting Latino heritage through a mix of visual art installations, food offerings, lowrider car displays, an artisan vendor market and family-friendly craft experiences.
2-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21; location to be shared with registered guests; sliding‑scale tickets $5-$15; juntospdx.net/events
Portland Latin American Film Festival: In its 19th iteration, this festival presents 11 feature films and one short, showcasing narratives and perspectives from across Latin America meant to illuminate social and cultural realities through cinema.
Sept. 24-Nov. 12; Hollywood Theatre, 4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; ticket prices to be announced; hollywoodtheatre.org/series/portland-latin-american-film-festival
Multnomah County Libraries: Library branches host a series of free cultural events for Hispanic Heritage Month including music performances, storytelling sessions, poetry readings and creative workshops designed to engage all ages.
Times and locations vary; ongoing throughout the month; free to attend; multcolib.org/events‑classes, search “Hispanic Heritage.”
Metro area
Fiesta Latina en el Parque: This community event features live musical performances, food vendors, artisan stalls, interactive cultural booths and games, such as Lotería, intended for family participation.
12-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13; North Clackamas Park, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie; free to attend; ncprd.org/events/fiesta
El Grito: Instead of hosting the annual El Grito celebration at Shute Park, Centro Cultural, a Cornelius-based Latino advocacy organization, will host an online event. A 30-minute video will be live-streamed on all social platforms showcasing local talent and sharing community resources to celebrate El Grito.
8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15; Centro Cultural social media; free; centrocultural.org/events
El Festival de Mariachi: This annual Hillsboro event brings together mariachi ensembles, folkloric dance troupes, artisan displays and cultural performances for a vibrant and inclusive, family-friendly festival.
12-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21; Hillsboro Ballpark, 4460 N.E. Century Blvd., Hillsboro; free to attend; unitusccu.com/mariachi
El Tigre Fest: Celebrating both Hispanic Heritage Month and Filipino History Month, this free festival in Tigard offers over 70 vendors, live performances, artisanal showcases, children’s activities and culinary experiences.
11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4; Cook Family Park, 17005 S.W. 92nd Ave., Tigard; free to attend; tigard-or.gov/explore-tigard/community-events/el-tigre-fest
Washington County Libraries: Throughout the month, local library branches present exhibitions, cultural workshops, storytelling circles and presentations that reflect the diversity of Latino heritage and community identity.
Times and locations vary; free to attend; wccls.bibliocommons.com/v2/events, search “Hispanic Heritage.”
Willamette Valley
Fiesta Cultural at First Friday ArtWalk: This Eugene event weaves together Latin American music, dance performances, artisan markets, food vendors and interactive workshops as part of the city’s downtown ArtWalk tradition.
5:30-10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5; Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, 85 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene; free to attend; eugene-or.gov/4712/Fiesta-Cultural
Woodburn Heritage Celebration: The city of Woodburn will host an event with cultural performances, a formal flag‑raising, an El Grito reenactment, artisan booths and a Salsa dance competition.
5-8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12; Woodburn Downtown Plaza, off North First Street between Hayes and Garfield streets; free to attend; woodburn-or.gov/community-services/page/hispanic-heritage-month-celebration
Hispanic Heritage Exhibit: Adventure! Children’s Museum in Eugene will have a temporary exhibit where young visitors can engage with mariachi music, interactive arts and crafts, stage performances and themed giveaways designed to celebrate cultural heritage through hands-on learning. The exhibit opening celebration is noon Sept. 13 with additional performances at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20, 27 and Oct. 11.
Sept. 2-Nov. 2, opening celebration at noon, Sept. 13; Adventure! Children’s Museum, 490 Valley River Center, Eugene; included with admission ($7); adventurechildrensmuseum.org/herencia-hispana-hispanic-heritage-month-exhibit-and-opening-celebration/
PODER Breakfast & Summit: Leaders in Latino advocacy, business, education, health and government will convene for a full-day summit featuring keynote speakers, networking opportunities and sessions addressing community leadership and policy.
8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15; Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St. S.E., Salem; tickets are $75; poderoregon.org/unidos2025
Hispanic Heritage Day at the Oregon State Capitol: The Capitol Rotunda will be the scene for a cultural showcase offering exhibits, performance art and family-focused crafts in recognition of Hispanic heritage and civic engagement.
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11; Oregon State Capitol Rotunda, 900 Court St. N.E. Salem; free to attend; oregoncapitol.com/event/hispanic-heritage-day-at-the-capitol/
Columbia Gorge
Tardeada Mexicana: The Columbia Gorge community is invited to participate in an evening featuring live performances, Mexican cuisine, cultural booths and prize raffles aimed at honoring Hispanic heritage.
4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13; Lewis & Clark Festival Park, 110 Union St., The Dalles; free to attend; facebook.com/events/lewis-clark-festival-park/tardeada-mexicana-en-the-dalles-or/9749912905074040/?_rdr
Oregon coast
Hispanic Heritage Celebration: This Cannon Beach event includes folkloric dance, mariachi music, cultural presentations and on-site food sales, with proceeds helping local families during emergencies.
4:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17; Cannon Beach Soccer Field, 244 N. Spruce St., Cannon Beach; free to attend; facebook.com/photo?fbid=697850243292804&set=a.226663170411516
Southern Oregon
Hispanic Heritage Celebration: Twin Creeks Park will host food trucks, live music, Lotería, bounce houses and cultural games rooted in the local Hispanic and Latino community.
5-9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3; Twin Creeks Park, 555 Twin Creeks Crossing Loop, Central Point; free; centralpointoregon.gov/448/Hispanic-Heritage-Celebration
Did we miss an event? Please share the details with us and we will add it to our list.
— Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; [email protected] or @chiaraprofenna.
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