How to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 in Denver

National Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15–Oct. 15 each year, commemorates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The celebration begins each year on Sept. 15, the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also observe their independence days during this period.

Here’s how you can celebrate this rich tradition, history and culture in Denver during this special month. 

National Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Festivals

Poudre Pour Art & Culture Fest: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (Oct. 12, 2024)

The Poudre Pour Art and Culture Fest is a family-friendly annual event celebrating our river corridor’s vibrant history and culture. This year, in partnership with Mexican American History Project: Greeley, Cache NHA will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the integral role Hispanic culture has played in the history of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Head to the Windsor History Museum to enjoy civic groups, performers, artisan demos and activities for all ages, plus a mini food truck rally and the always-popular People’s Choice Award craft brewers competition featuring local craft brewers! Los Martinez Bros and Grupo Presidio will perform live high-energy Latin music of various genres.

Museum Exhibitions

Yo Soy Arte: Calacas y Catrinas (thru Oct. 20, 2024)

This captivating exhibition celebrates Mexican culture and the artistic traditions of Día de los Muertos. It brings to life the calacas (skeletons) and catrinas (elegant skeletons satirizing high society) found in Mexican traditions. The unique approach Mexicans take toward death—cheerful and festive—is showcased with larger-than-life paper-mâché catrinas created by Los Angeles artist Ricardo Soltero and calacas hand-painted by Colorado Latinx artists. Find calacas on view at Denver Botanic Gardens (included with admission) and catrinas on view at Aurora Public Libraries.

Have a Seat: Mexican Chair Design Today (thru Nov. 3, 2024)

Have a Seat: Mexican Chair Design Today at Denver Art Museum is an interactive exhibition featuring three historical artworks, 17 contemporary seats designed by 22 Mexican artists, and a site-specific art installation. Through their pioneering designs, the artists embark on a journey through history and traditions, exploring the enduring legacy of the cross-cultural world that emerged in Mexico following the Spanish conquest, which incorporated elements of Indigenous, Asian, African and European cultures and continues to inspire new types of objects and furniture for the 21st century. Have a Seat showcases furniture by contemporary Mexican designers represented in the museum’s permanent collection, including Andrés Lhima, Cecilia León de la Barra, Daniel Valero, Bárbara Sánchez-Kane, Jorge Diego Etienne and many more.

Migrants, a Tale of Two Hearts (Oct. 10, 2024–Jan. 26, 2025)

The journey of migrants to the U.S. is full of internal changes taking place in the physical body and mental state. This exhibit will explore the internal and external experiences of the immigrant who leaves home in search of a new and better life. See it at Museo de las Americas.

Arts of the Ancient Americas Galleries

The reinstalled Frederick & Jan Mayer Galleries showcase Denver Art Museum’s renowned Latin American Art and Art of the Ancient Americas collections through a presentation of more than 1,000 rare works that present the expansive history of artistic creation in Latin America. The breadth of these collections, among the most comprehensive in the United States, encompasses 3,500 years of art and culture, revealing trends, relationships and discontinuities between art created in the region.

La Misión

This semi-permanent exhibit at Museo de las Americas explores the artwork produced as a result of the Spanish monarchy sending priests (Padres) to convert the indigenous Puebloan residents of the Rio Grande River Valley. Housed in the Tragen Folk Art Gallery, it features roughly 20 unique pieces of art that date from the 17th Century to the present and explores the narrative of the peoples living in the Rio Grande River Valley. Featuring artwork from Museo’s private collection, the exhibit examines the visual language unique to the colonial artwork of New Mexico. The gallery has been made reminiscent of a mission church interior, to provide an appropriate space and context for the many Santos, retablos and other artworks in the exhibit.

Borderlands of Southern Colorado

WHERE: History Colorado Center
Presented in English and Spanish, Borderlands explores the shifting geopolitical history of southern Colorado. This area framed by mountains and rivers is naturally conducive to unique and resilient forms of cultural connection. An international border crossed over the people in this region, changing their lives forever, when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo moved a portion of the US–Mexico border from the Arkansas River—which flows through the middle of Colorado—down to the Rio Grande in 1848.

Food & Drink

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Music, Movies, Dancing & Performances

'I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter' (thru Nov. 3, 2024)

This vibrant and poignant adaptation of Erika L. Sánchez’s New York Times bestseller follows Júlia, a Chicago high schooler who is definitely not your perfect Mexican daughter. That’s her older sister Olga’s role. But everything in Júlia’s life weighs heavier after Olga dies in a tragic accident, leaving Júlia to manage her family’s grief and unravel the secret truth—that her sister may not have been so perfect after all. "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" is a love story to young Chicanas who, in trying to find the truth about the people and the world around them, end up finding themselves. See it at The Dorota & Kevin Kilstrom Theatre.

Aquiles & The Latin Groove (Oct. 2, 2024)

Known for his natural ability to dominate two worlds (Rock and Latin), Ecuadorean singer-songwriter Aquiles presents: The Latin Groove. His nightingale voice rose from a 20-year stage trajectory. Blending with the hard-to-miss talent the band owns, it creates the perfect formula to provide a versatile and fun performance you won’t forget. Their repertoire includes original songs in Spanish, Portuguese and English, also conjuring a mix of covers with their own twist. Get ready to enjoy Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Bossa Nova and Bolero, all in one performance. See Aquiles & The Latin Groove this October at Dazzle.

Friday Afternoon Concert: Los Bohemios (Oct. 11, 2024)

Enjoy an afternoon of live music at Longmont Museum's Stewart Auditorium this fall featuring an eclectic array of musical acts from up and down the Front Range. Composed of some of the best musicians around, this acoustic/electric ensemble plays traditional Cuban Son, Salsa, Cumbia and Boleros, as well as Latin Rock and Jazz. If you love Buena Vista Social Club or Gloria Estefan and the romantic ballads in the style of Los Panchos, you’ll be in for a treat!

Catrinas en Mi Ciudad (Oct. 19, 2024)

Catrinas en Mi Ciudad is arriving at Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 19. This free, outdoor, cultural art exhibit will showcase the "larger-than-life" Catrinas of artist Ricardo Soltero and the monumental Calaveras of Cooperativa Jaen Cartonería. Centered around Mexico's Día de Muertos, the exhibit will focus on highlighting the traditions of the holiday. There will also be live music, face painting, food vendors and more.

Norma Tell & Sazón Music (Oct. 20, 2024)

SaZón Six performs a tasteful repertoire of Jazz, Latin Beats and American Standards. Norma Tell sings in English, Spanish and Portuguese, thus highlighting the International flavor of SaZón. See them at Dazzle. 

Nanpa Basico (Nov. 3, 2024)

Nanpa Básico, an emerging artist from Colombia, captivates audiences with his unique blend of reggaeton and urban music. His catchy beats and introspective lyrics delve into themes of love, identity, and societal issues, resonating deeply with a diverse fanbase across Latin America and beyond. Nanpa Básico's raw talent and authentic storytelling continue to establish him as a rising star in the Latin music scene. See him at the Paramount Theatre.

Live music at Raices Brewing Company (Evenings in September/October 2024)

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, join Raices Brewing Company for an array of live Latin music and dancing from Chimbangle, Cultura Latin Trio, Joshua Trinidad, Miguel Soldevila, Orquesta La Brava and more.

Local Live Music at Sol Mexican Cantina (Every Tuesday from 5:30–8:30 PM)

At Sol Mexican Cocina in Denver's exciting Cherry Creek North neighborhood, visitors can experience Latino music by local artists in a beautiful setting inspired by Mexico’s Baja region. Enjoy the restaurant’s delicious food along with an incomparable ambiance, which includes an indoor-outdoor patio and fire pit.

Youth Events

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Día de los Muertos Celebrations

‘Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure' (Oct. 6, 2024)

Join your fellow Coloradans at the Parsons Theatre in Northglenn to experience “Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure,” a touring bilingual/bicultural musical that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of 12-year-old Vita Flores as she gathers the missing pieces of her family’s ofrenda and searches for the true meaning of Día de Muertos.

Day of the Dead Family Celebration (Oct. 12, 2024)

Longmont's Día de Muertos Family Celebration street festival will include music and dance performances, arts and crafts activities, cultural education, delicious food, downtown business altars and the Gigantes Procession. Park downtown or at the Longmont Museum and take the free trolley between locations so you can enjoy all the exhibitions and activities of the day.

Día de Muertos Exhibition (Oct. 12–Nov. 5, 2024)

The free Día de Muertos exhibition returns to the Longmont Museum’s Swan Atrium this fall, featuring ofrendas (altars) built by community members and the work of local artists.

Clay Sculpting: Día de los Muertos (Oct. 19, 2024)

In this culturally rich sculpting class at Denver Art Museum, students will use Coloradan red rock clay to explore their own ancestral relationship to cultural holidays and reconnecting with the earth, with a focus on the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos.

Children and Family Make and Take: Traditions of Día de los Muertos: Papier-Mâché Calaveras (Oct. 19 & 20, 2024)

Explore the artistic traditions of Día de los Muertos with Calacas y Catrinas, a display of larger-than-life skulls and skeletons hand-painted by Colorado Latinx artists at Denver Botanic Gardens. Then, decorate your own papier-mâché (or cartonería) calaveras created by contemporary Mexican artists Óscar Becerra and Ruben Mica.

Día de los Muertos: Remembering our Ancestors through Art (Oct. 26, 2024)

This traditionally Mexican holiday will be celebrated in Civic Center Park, bringing Denverites together to celebrate and honor our ancestors and loved ones who have passed. This year's even will feature art installations, an art sculpture garden, cultural performances by Azteca dancers and mariachi musicians, a community procession to honor our ancestors, community art workshops, and food from Mexican and Central American small business food truck vendors. 

Dia De Los Muertos Art Reception (Oct. 26, 2024)

Head to The Armory Performing Arts Center in Brighton for free face painting, sugar skull decorating, Aztec Dance Performance, local vendors, music by Colorado Youth Mariachi Program and a free concert from LatinSoul Band at 7 p.m.

Dia De Los Muertos Art Crawl  (Nov. 1, 2024)

Celebrate Día de los Muertos with 40 West Arts! Experience the rich cultural traditions through stunning exhibitions, intricate altars and the dynamic performances of Aztec dancers. Enjoy the artistry of traditional Indigenous and Latino/a/x creators, savor delicious bites from authentic food trucks, and get hands-on at the craft stations. Don’t miss the chance to have your face painted and immerse yourself in this vibrant celebration. This free event is open to all ages, promising a memorable experience for the whole family.

First Friday: Dia de Muertos Celebration (Nov. 1, 2024)

Join Museo de las Americas for this "Day of the Dead" themed iteration of First Friday. Enjoy shopping amongst local artists and vendors, try tasty bites and cocktails from food trucks, see the exhibition, meet a fellow art-loving neighbor — oh, and did we mention the general admission is free?

Noche De Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead (Nov. 2, 2024)

Head to Longmont Museum to enjoy an evening of live performance in celebration of Día de Muertos that will span the ages, from ancient Aztecan dance to the genre-bending rock and roll of iZCALLi. This annual community celebration of a centuries-old Mexican tradition has quickly become part of the cultural fabric of Longmont! Co-presented with the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee.

Mariposa Gala: A Celebration of Life, Death, and Art (Nov. 2, 2024)

Celebrate the Chicano Arts & Humanities Council and Día de los Muertos at the first annual Mariposa Gala. This festive event will feature dinner, entertainment, an art auction, the honoring of Lucille Ruibal Rivera’s legacy, and a recap of CHAC’s history and impact on the Denver community. Note: Calavera face paint and Catrin/Catrina costumes are encouraged!