12 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

An entire month spent celebrating and immersing yourself in Hispanic and Latin culture means there is plenty of time to try out different activities.

So here’s a list we’ve put together to help you get the most out of it.

Support Hispanic or Latin American businesses

This one is pretty obvious, but still deserves to be highlighted. There are local businesses of all types, but here are a few: Naked Bar Soap Co., Unidos Supermarkets, Melao Bakery, Zaza New Cuban Diner, Latin Square Cuisine, and The Divine Canvas. Discover some of them!

Cook your own Latin-inspired meal

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Especially if you love to cook, trying a Latin-inspired recipe is a great way to honor the month. And it doesn’t have to be difficult, there are plenty of relatively easy recipes you can make in your Instant Pot or air fryer. To find one, we’ve got a list to get you started here.

Enjoy a Hispanic cocktail

Many countries have a national cocktail or type of alcohol, and in many cases, you probably haven’t tried them yet. It’s a great way to experience something authentic about the country, if you’re 21 or over, of course. We’re talking about Palomas, Pisco Sours, Crema de Vie, all new.

To help you choose one, we have a list here.

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Make a playlist of Hispanic artists

There is a ton of great music from Hispanic / Latin artists, so why not make a playlist to play? From Selena to Ricky Martin, from Gloria Estefan to Marc Anthony, from Carlos Santana to Shakira, the choice is vast. To get you started, we’ve checked out a few different playlists on Spotify, and here are a few ideas:

Despacito by Luis Fonsi

Conga by Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine

Estamos Bien by Bad Bunny

Stand by Me by Prince Royce

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom by Selena

Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias

Aguanile by Marc Anthony

Take a dance class

Since you already enjoy music, why not take dance lessons to accompany it? There are several studios in Central Florida where you can cut a rug. Try Flamenco, Bachata, Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, Samba, Bolero, Tango and more! Dancing is an integral part of the culture, so go ahead and get moving.

Discover a museum exhibition

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Central Florida is home to many artists and museums, and several host events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The Orange County Regional History Center will host a Smithsonian Museums Day: Celebration of Latin American Arts and Culture. The Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 art exhibit, hosted by the Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County, offers several opportunities to view art exhibits, including a large exhibit at the Orange County Administrative Center from September 1 to October 28. Check out other local museums for you to see if they have Hispanic Heritage Month events!

Take a Spanish course

There are more and more Spanish speakers in Central Florida every day, so why not sign up for a course to learn the language better? Not only will this make it easier to communicate with our new neighbors, but you can better immerse yourself in the culture while trying the other activities on this list. You can take courses online or there are many local language centers to take a course in person.

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Listen to a Spanish or Latinx podcast

Podcasts are a great way to learn something on the go or even relax by the pool. They are available in a variety of subjects. Here are a few :

Anything for Selena: Available in Spanish and English, examines the legacy of Mexican-American pop singer Selena Quintanilla

Yeah no, I don’t agree: Actress Diane Guerrero sits with celebrities of color in a space to share on mental health

News in Slow Spanish: The podcast slowly discusses current events, so if you’re revising your Spanish, listen

Café con Pam: Pam Covarrubias interviews Latinos and people of color on all kinds of topics like breaking down barriers.

Watch a movie in Spanish

It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture from the comfort of your sofa. There are currently a fair amount of Spanish language movies on Netflix of various genres, so basically there is something for everyone: Roma, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Platform, A Twelve Year Night, The Fury of a Patient Man ( Tarde para la Ira), The Distinguished Citizen (El Cuidadano Ilustre), The Invisible Guest, The Silence of Others (El Silencio de Otros), 100 meters (100 meters), The Perfect Dictatorship (La Dictadura Perfecta) and The Three Dead by Marisela Escobedo.

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Visit one of the sites showcasing Florida’s Spanish colonial heritage

You probably already know that the first European colonies in Florida came from Spain. There is a rich history throughout the state, including in the nearby town of St. Augustine. The Florida Division of Historic Resources has actually compiled a comprehensive list of the Florida Spanish Colonial Heritage Trail. There are over 50 highlighted sites dating from 1513 to 1821. Check it out here to plan your own Hispanic Heritage Month sightseeing tour.

Discover some Hispanic / Latin history

If a road trip isn’t your thing, there are other ways to learn about the history of Hispanic heritage in Florida. The Florida Memory: State Library and Archives of Florida contains many articles and photos to consult. If something funny is more your style, John Leguizamo’s solo show on Broadway Latin story for morons on Netflix will certainly give you a unique take on thousands of years of Latin history. You can also check out 56 influential Hispanic Americans in photos here.

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Donate to causes benefiting the Hispanic / Latinx community

There are always ways to get results and give back to the community.

Hispanic Federation: Provides support in policy areas such as health, civic engagement, immigration, economic empowerment, education, organizational development, and the environment.

Prospera: An economic, non-profit development serving Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to start or grow their businesses.

Hispanic Heritage Foundation: Donations fund their Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) programs such as Code as a Second Language, Youth Awards, STEM Symposia, Hispanic Heritage Awards, LOFT Source and more.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The organization provides knowledge and support to parents and students, as well as scholarships to as many Hispanic students as possible

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National Alliance for Hispanic Health: Their mission is to provide services to Hispanics across the United States