Seattle’s Hispanic roots are much older than many realize. Often overshadowed by the history of British exploration of the Pacific Northwest, Spanish exploration in and around Washington dates to the late 1700s. Think of places like the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where the evidence is in the names. From the 19th century onwards, Mexican ranchers and farmworkers have played an invaluable role in the development of agriculture and cattle industries east of the Cascades.
More recently, immigrants from Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, among other Latin American countries, have settled in Seattle, with significant communities in the city’s southern neighborhoods. Sept. 15–Oct.15 is recognized nationwide as Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to recognize the deep roots and lasting contributions of Seattle’s Hispanic and Latino communities, and to celebrate with fiestas, art, comida, and more.
Where to celebrate
Celebrations kick off early at Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias over the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14. The fiesta—this year centered around the theme “Unifying Our Communities’—takes place at Seattle Center, commemorating many Latin American countries’ independence in September. Join for live music, folk dance performances, traditional Latin American food, and art exhibits.
MEXAM NW Festival takes place across many venues in the greater Seattle area throughout the entire month. Attend a refugees and immigrants festival, storytelling events, musical performances, art exhibits and more during this festival spotlighting Hispanic and Mexican American culture.
Just a couple weeks after the official end of Hispanic Heritage month, experience the cultural significance of the thousands-year-old Día de los Muertos, which is about much more than the familiar sugar skull or calavera face paint. Join celebrations commemorating family and friends who have passed with offerings at public celebrations like Día de Muertos Festival, with decorated altars, performances, and face painting.
Where to explore arts and culture
If you can’t make it to one of the specific celebrations, try a dance class or stopping by an art gallery.
Explore Latino art: Part gallery, part community initiative, part shop, south Seattle’s Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery provides a space to celebrate Latinx art and culture. Visit one of Nepantla’s monthly exhibits (typically focused on marginalized communities), stop by for workshops and open mics, or browse the jewelry, clothing, and homeware by Latinx artists.
Catch a Latino film: Started by Cuban American poet and film industry professional, Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Pacheco, in 2009, Seattle Latino Film Festival is the only Pacific Northwest event celebrating Latinx cinema. This year the festival takes place Oct. 10-18, featuring shorts, documentaries, and feature-length films capturing the magic of Latin American culture and narratives.
The 17th Annual Seattle Latino Film Festival opens with a screening of The Ladder.
Image courtesy of The Ladder Film
Watch art in action: From Sept. 15–21, ten Pacific Northwest artists with Hispanic roots will be transforming a corridor in the University District. “These works of art celebrate the voices of Mexican and Mexican-American artists while inviting all communities to reflect on the shared journeys that shape our region,” says the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle. Experience the live painting at MEXART, watching as these artists bring to life themes of migration and belonging, and enjoy the murals for years to come.
B Line Dot as one of the muralists doing live painting at MAXART.
Photo courtesy of MAXART
Visit El Centro de la Raza (Center for People of All Races): A pillar in the city’s Latinx community, El Centro de la Raza provides community support in the form of housing, education, and advocacy, to name a few. It also celebrates cultural holidays from Cinco de Mayo to Las Posadas, houses an art gallery, and hosts various events and courses, including cooking classes.
Find your rhythm: Whether salsa, bachata, or kizomba is your beat, learn to move with the music Latin-style. Join Salsa Con Todo for drop-in, one-on-one, and social events exploring some of Latin America’s favorite dances.
Where to eat, drink, and shop
This month offers plenty of chances to enjoy tacos, tamales, and other favorites—and to support the small, family-run businesses that keep Seattle’s Hispanic food culture thriving.
Sample arepas, fried plantains, and Pabellón bowls, among other Venezuelan specialties at Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen in the University District.
Arepas, fried plantains, and Pabellón bowls at Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen in the University District.
Photo courtesy of Arepa
Enjoy coffee with a touch of Mexican flair at Cafetal Quilombo Café on Capitol Hill, which serves indulgent drinks like horchata lattes and canela lattes, alongside chilaquiles, tamales, chile relleno, and plenty of other breakfast and lunch dishes.
From plates filled with meat, rice, and beans, to small bites like pupusas and tamales, to fresh-baked bread and mango tres leches cake and other treats to go, the family-run The Salvadorean Bakery keeps the culinary and cultural traditions of El Salvador alive in White Center.
Maíz specializes in nixtamalized tortillas—a preservation of native corn varieties—stuffed with daily fillings, as well as tamales, gorditas, and sopes, served from its Pike Place shop and newly opened Belltown location.
Keep watch around town for Aquí Mercado, a Latino/LGBTQ+ monthly pop-up bringing people together through food, music, dance, drag, creative expression, and community solidarity.
Octopus, shrimp, salmon… get your ceviche fix at Shark Bites Ceviche in Beacon Hill, crafted from fresh seafood.
Enjoy tacos Mexico City-style at one of Carmelo’s Tacos Capitol Hill locations, using family recipes and hometown sauces to create tacos, quesabirrias, and mulitas that will have you licking your fingers clean.
Quesabirrias and a mulita.
Photo courtesy of Carmelo’s Tacos
Indulge in donuts inspired by the flavors of Latin America at one of Doce’s locations in Seattle and Bellevue. This Venezuelan-Argentinean family-run donut shop crafts delectable rotating flavors, including passion fruit crème brulee and churro dulce de leche donuts.