Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American heroes and heroines. The month is celebrated from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point as it commemorates the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, who declared independence in 1821. Also in this month-long time period, Mexico celebrates their independence day on Sept. 16; Chile on Sept. 18; and Belize on Sept. 21.

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Head to these events for festivities:

Visit a local library. Gwinnett County Public Library is celebrating with storytimes, crafts, cooking and information on artists and innovators. Enjoy storytimes, crafts, movies and more with Fulton County Library System. Learn a little Spanish, make art and more with DeKalb County Public Library. While at the library, see if you can check out these books from Spanish Mama.

Latin American Heritage Month at Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Celebrate Latine individuals who have helped shape the world with storytimes, crafts and more. Sept. 4-30.

Noche Latina: El Uno Para El Otro at Lawrenceville Arts Center. This concert features unique folklore, rhythms and romantic lyrics. Sept. 12.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration at OneStop Buford. Fun for the whole family will include food, crafts, kids’ activities and live music. Sept. 13.

Fiestas Patrias Celebration at Plaza Fiesta. Honor the day of Mexican Independence with culture and entertainment for almost every Spanish speaking country. Sept. 14.

Latino Hispanic Cultural Heritage Celebration at Ashford Lane. This celebration with feature demonstrations, salsa dancing, games and more. Sept. 14.

Viva Roswell at Roswell Cultural Arts Center. This month-long celebration will feature music, food, entertainment, cultural and educational programming. Sept. 15-Oct. 15.

Salsa on the Square at Decatur Square. Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Latin America with authentic food, refreshing drinks, local artisan vendors, live salsa bands and more. Sept. 20.

Concert on the Green: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Logan Farm Park. This festival highlights Hispanic cultures within the community with vendors, music and dance. Sept. 20.

La Cucarachita Martina at Center for Puppetry Arts. Based on a popular Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s story integrating Spanish vocabulary, see Martina go on an adventure in this rock ‘n’ roll musical. Oct. 2-12.

CULTURA at Lawrenceville Lawn. Celebrate Lawrenceville’s diverse culture with live music, delicious food and local artisans. Oct. 4.

Conyers Latin Festival at Olde Town Conyers. Observe the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Oct. 5.

Hispanic Heritage Exhibition at The Cultural Arts Center. Celebrate the creativity and talent of local Hispanic artists. Oct. 9-Nov. 19.

Hispanic Latino Heritage Month at Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. Explore this cultural exhibit displaying various countries, traditions, food and more from around the community. Oct. 10.

Go to a restaurant or order takeout:

Metro Atlanta has some amazing Mexican restaurants. Plaza Fiesta’s restaurants offer lots of options for Latin American cuisine. Buford Highway also has some great options. More restaurants include Alma Cocina in Buckhead and Downtown; Nuevo Laredo Cantina in Atlanta; No Mas! Cantina in Atlanta; La Fonda Latina with five locations; The Freakin’ Incan in Roswell; and Xelapan in Doraville. For a sweet treat, check out Churros Mi Tierra or Picos in Plaza Fiesta.

For more, check out some of our favorites here.

Explore virtual activities and events:

Check out the National Hispanic Heritage Month’s website for virtual resources and exhibits. Enjoy performances, lectures and family activities from the Smithsonian.

Learn about famous Hispanic artists with My Modern Met. Then, try these crafts inspired by artists: a Frida Paper Plate Doll from Art Camp Studio, a Salvador Dalí Inspired Paper Plate Melting Clock from The Pinterested Parent and a Picasso Face from Arty Crafty Kids.

Visit historic sites virtually with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s photo galleries.

Learn the basics of Spanish with YouTube videos. Spanish for Kids has videos on farm animals, numbers, the alphabet and more. Basho & Friends have videos on seasons, weather, greetings, nursery rhymes and more. Older kids might be interested in trying the free Duolingo service for quick Spanish lessons, or see if your library offers access to Mango.

Learn more about Latin American holidays and traditions. Check out our ideas for celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Watch “Coco,” create Paper Marigolds from Teach Kids Art and Glow in the Dark Day of the Dead Lanterns from Growing Up Bilingual, and make Sugar Skulls from Around My Family Table to discuss the traditions around Día de los Muertos.

Your kids (and you) may enjoy learning the history and cultures of Latin American countries. Check out these facts from Kiddle, and travel virtually with National Geographic Kids. Dance the Flamenco with PBS. Cook your way through countries with these recipes from Growing Up Bilingual.

Get in the kitchen:

Try this recipe from award-winning chef Julio Delgado. The Atlanta-based chef was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Guava BBQ Glazed Chicken Thighs with Caribbean Cous Cous

For the Chicken Thighs:

6 each chicken thighs
1 qt water
¼ # brown sugar
¼ # kosher salt
3.5 oz fresh ginger
¼ oz coriander seeds
¼ oz cloves
¼ oz white pepper corn
¼ oz whole all spice
¼ oz mustard seeds
½ grapefruit
1 lemon cut in ¼
1 lime cut in ¼
1 orange cut in ¼

Trim fat off of chicken thighs. Place chicken in a large bowl.

In a pot with all the ingredients with the exception of the citrus and the fresh thyme, bring to a boil like making a tea. After boiling ice down the tea mixture, and add the citrus and the fresh thyme. Cover the chicken thighs with the citrus brine and refrigerate overnight.

For the Guava BBQ Sauce:

½ c. water
⅓ c. apple cider vinegar
¼ c. Don Q Rum
3 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. Caribbean jerck
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
½ c. yellow onions, minced
1 tsp. ground ginger
3 tbsp. tomato paste
1 c. guava paste cut into small pieces
Salt and pepper to taste

In a small pot, sauté the garlic, onions and ginger for one minute. Add all the ingredients, except the salt and pepper to a medium-size pot and bring it to a boil on medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat to low or medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it cool and serve.

For the Caribbean Cous Cous:

8 oz uncooked Isarali cous cous
2 oz olive oil
1 each red radish, diced
1 Cuban pepper, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 red onion, diced
½ c. fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing: ¼ c. apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp. olive oil; 3 tbsp. lime juice

Sauté the cous cous in olive oil until nice and golden; add the chicken stock little by little until the cous cous is done. On a separate pan, add lightly sautéed vegetables, keeping them nice and crispy. Add the vegetables to the salad and finish with the cilantro.

To Finish:

Prepare your grill for high, direct heat. If you are using charcoal or wood, make sure there is a cool side to the grill where there are fewer coals. If you are using a gas grill keep once side on low heat.

Place the chicken on the grill skin-side down over direct heat. Sear the skin and grill for 5-10 minutes, being careful to not burn. Move the chicken to the cooler side of the grill, still skin side down. Close the grill and cook undisturbed for 20-30 minutes.

Turn the chicken thighs, skin side up, and baste them with your Guava BBQ Sauce. Close the grill and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Turning the chicken pieces over, basting them with sauce, covering, and cooking for another 10-15 minutes.

The chicken is done when you the internal temperature reaches 165°F or the juices should run clear when pierced.

Do a final sear, skin side down, on the hot side of grill for a minute or two. Baste with more barbecue sauce and serve.

Served the chicken thighs on top of the cous cous salad and finish with cilantro leaves.