Feliz mes de la herencia hispana! Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a great way to honor and appreciate the rich cultural contributions of Latino people. Here are some ways to engage with Latino culture throughout the month:

Engage with Latino Content: Explore literature written by Latino authors. Some notable authors include Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Julia de Burgos, Junot Díaz, and Sandra Cisneros. There are also many podcasts hosted by Latino creators covering various topics from culture and history to food and music. Some popular options include "Latino USA," "Café con Pam," and "NPR's Alt.Latino."

Support Latino-Owned Businesses: Make an effort to support local Latino-owned stores, restaurants, and businesses. Enjoy delicious Latin American cuisine at local restaurants or shop for unique gifts and products.

Visit Museums and Cultural Institutions: Explore museums and cultural institutions that showcase Latino culture, history, and heritage. The National Museum of Mexican Art and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture are great options. 

Attend Community Cultural Events: Check out local events and activities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Evanston. Check out our list below!

City of Evanston

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff  |  Sun., Sept. 15, Noon to 4 p.m. |  Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center

Join the City as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month! Bring your friends and family to this free event at the Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center on Sun., Sept. 15 at Noon. Enjoy food for purchase, a DJ, activities, arts and crafts, face painting, and so much more! More information.

Evanston Public Library

Hispanic/Latinx-Owned Business Month in Evanston - Special Punchcard Raffle Program

From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, patrons will be able to visit the library to pick up a punch card, choose at least 5 participating local Latine/Hispanic-owned businesses to visit, and either make a purchase or talk to staff to learn about their business for a punch. When their punch card is full, they can be entered into a raffle for one (1) $100, one (1) $75, or one (1) $25 gift card from one of the featured businesses.

How to Make a Michelada Botanera  |  Saturday, September 7, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Have you ever wondered how they make those elaborate micheladas you see on Instagram or TikTok? Wonder no more! Join us at Temperance Beer Co. to learn how to make one with Gaby Moreno Santos! Ages 21+. Register Here. 

Community Talks with OpenCommunities and FLAP   |  Wednesday, September 11, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Open Communities will be giving a presentation on community resources and more. FLAP will be giving presentations on your rights as a worker. More Here.

La Plazita w/ Jorge Mújica from ARISE Chicago  |  Friday, September 20, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Jorge will give a presentation on labor laws, how to protect yourself and your family members at work, and how things may change for immigrants with the upcoming presidential election. Come learn something new! To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, there will also be coffee and desserts! Register Here.

OAsis – Game Day!  |  Saturday, September 21, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

EPL Engagement Staffers Mariana Bojorquez and Kate Jordan guide you in discovering and playing some wonderful table games that people play in Mexico and South America.  A fun day of play and delight … with a special treat from Mekato’s Bakery!  More Here.

Latino Family Game Night  |  Friday, September 27, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy food from some of Evanston’s Hispanic-owned restaurants and participate in family-friendly competitions of trivia. Prizes will be announced at the event.This year, we also have a special guest who is hosting: Xelena Gonzalez! Register Here.

Laser Cut Papel Picado  |  Sunday, September 29, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by using the Glowforge Plus laser cutter to craft a personalized cardboard papel picado. Grades 6th-12th. Register Here.

¡Diversión en español! – Flower Festival  |  Thursday, October 3, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Explore Colombia’s Feria de las Flores by creating beautiful flowers with the Cricut machine. Grades 6th-12th. Register Here.

Sip n’ Paint  |  Friday, October 4, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Join the Evanston Public Library for an afternoon of art making, fun, and great conversation along with some Mexican snacks for Hispanic Heritage Month! Register Here.

Being Imperfect with Erika L. Sanchez  |  Wednesday, October 9, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Erika Sánchez, award-winning author of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” joined in conversation by Cynthia Pelayo. Register Here.

Suman & Tamale! Celebrating Hispanic Heritage & Filipino American Month!  |  Friday, October 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Bring the whole family for suman and tamale tasting, how-to demos, art making, music and more! Suman & Tamale making demos begin at 7pm. Register Here.

Laser Cut Papel Picado for Adults & Teens  |  Sunday, October 13, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by using the Glowforge Plus laser cutter to craft a personalized cardboard papel picado. Register Here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt  |  All month long

Riley, Finn, and Nelly want to play Loteria but they’re missing some cards! Can you find all 8 cards? Turn in the answer sheet at the end and enter a raffle for a special prize! Stop by the Robert Crown desk to learn more.

Design your own Loteria Card  |  All month long

Stop by the children’s department at the Main Library to make your own Loteria card to hang in our library’s art garden.

Hispanic Heritage Month Book Display  |  All month long

Check out our collection of Spanish books curated for Hispanic Heritage Month in the Robert Crown Branch Library and at the Main Library on Orrington, on the second floor. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Reading Challenge!  |  All month long

And there’s more! Watch for announcements about even more programs, crafts and more in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month here at epl.org/hispanicheritagemonth, and mark your calendar for our Nov. 1 Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Robert Crown Community Center. 

Evanston Pride, Inc.

Fiesta Hispana  |  Thurs., Sept. 26, 5 p.m. to 7p.m.  |  Fountain Square

Celebrate unity and culture at Una Fiesta Hispana, hosted by Evanston Pride in collaboration with Downtown Summer Sounds. Join Evanston Pride, Inc. downtown for a day featuring vibrant mariachi performance, a colorful piñata, a mercado featuring hand-made artisan gifts, and a celebration of the rich intersections between Latinx and LGBTQIA+ communities. Experience the joy of diversity and solidarity in a festival that honors our shared identities and cultures.

Northwestern University

Events will be listed by September 15.
Stay tuned for more information.