Hispanic Heritage Month in the Triad: Events, Businesses & Celebrations (2026)

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Triad (September 15 – October 15)

Hispanic Heritage Month is a vibrant celebration of the cultures, contributions, and histories of Hispanic and Latino communities. In the Triad, we’re blessed with a rich and growing Hispanic population that brings incredible food, culture, music, and traditions to our region.

Whether you’re looking to celebrate, learn, support local Hispanic-owned businesses, or simply experience the joy and culture that makes our community special, this guide has you covered. From major festivals to family events, locally owned restaurants to cultural activities—here’s how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Triad.

MAJOR EVENTS & FESTIVALS

The Triad hosts numerous cultural festivals celebrating Hispanic and Latin communities. Check out our complete Triad Cultural Festivals Guide for a full calendar of celebrations, performances, and community events happening throughout the year.

34th Fiesta Festival — Winston-Salem

The Triad’s Premier Hispanic Heritage Celebration

The Fiesta Festival is one of the biggest and most beloved Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in the Triad. This one-day festival kicks off the season with authentic cultural celebration, live music, food, and community.

Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Downtown Winston-Salem
Cost: FREE
Website: Fiesta Festival Facebook

What to Expect:

• Live music and cultural performances
• Authentic Hispanic and Latin cuisine (food vendors)
• Family activities and kids’ zone
• Community resources and local businesses
• Cultural performances celebrating Latin heritage

Why Go: This is a Triad tradition that perfectly captures the energy and culture of Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s free, family-friendly, and a great way to experience authentic music, food, and celebration.

Pro Tip: Arrive early for parking and best food vendor selection. Bring cash and comfortable shoes — you’ll be walking and standing.

El Día de los Niños / El Día de los Libros — Greensboro

Children’s Day / Book Day: A Bilingual Celebration of Literacy

This beloved bilingual celebration honors childhood and the power of reading in all languages. It’s a joyful, colorful event that combines family fun with the gift of free books.

Date: Last Saturday of April (2027)
Overview: Children’s Day/Book Day celebration
Location: Greensboro

What to Expect:

• Free book giveaways to children
• Mexican food trucks with authentic cuisine
• Ballet Folklórico performances (traditional Mexican folk dance)
• Family-friendly activities
• Bilingual programming (English & Spanish)
• Celebration of literacy across languages

Why Go: This is a magical event for families who want to celebrate Hispanic culture while supporting literacy and childhood joy. The combination of free books, beautiful dance, and authentic food makes it special.

Pro Tip: Get there early for the best book selection. Bring a bag if you plan to collect books for your family.

Casa Azul Noches Latinas at the Park

Taste of the Hispanic Diaspora

• Join the City’s Human Rights Department and Creative Greensboro in this cultural mixer designed to celebrate Hispanic heritage
• Celebrate through diaspora foodways, community storytelling, and arts engagement
• Strengthening public awareness of City resources and civic engagement pathways. 

Veinte Veinte Vision Latin Festival

• Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
• There will be food and merchandise vonders, live music, dancing and a whole lot of fun
• This event is for everyone of all ages so come out and have fun.

Noche de Baile

LOCALLY OWNED HISPANIC & LATINO BUSINESSES IN THE TRIAD

GREENSBORO

Restaurants & Food

• La Catrina Taqueria — Authentic Mexican street tacos, fresh ingredients, local favorite
• El Pollo Loco — Flame-grilled Mexican chicken, family portions, casual vibe
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurant — Full-service Mexican dining, margaritas, family-friendly
• Embur Fire Fusion – A popular local spot serving authentic Peruvian cuisine, including wood-charcoal-fired rotisserie chicken and traditional sides
• La Palma Caribbean Restaurant – A family-friendly restaurant offering Caribbean, Dominican, and fusion dishes like mofongo and empanadas
• Inka Grill (Downtown) – Known for vibrant Peruvian flavors and traditional dishes right in the heart of the city
• Poblano’s – A locally rooted Mexican restaurant and bar offering handcrafted recipes, sizzling fajitas, and house specialties

Bakeries & Cafes

• Panadería La Guadalupana — Mexican bakery with pan dulce, conchas, fresh pastries
• Carnicería y Panadería — Butcher shop + bakery, fresh meat and baked goods
• Latitude Coffee Co. – A community-focused coffee shop local to the downtown Greensboro area.
• Pura Vida Cocktail Bar – A lively downtown cocktail destination featuring creative, tropical, and Latin-inspired drink menus

Retail & Services

• Casa Mexico Store — Mexican groceries, imported goods, specialty items
• Salas Latin Market — Latino grocery store, produce, home goods, cultural items
• La Pulperia – A family-owned, minority-owned specialty shop carrying authentic products imported from across Latin America, fresh produce, and homemade tamales on Saturday mornings.
• Julie Saldivia Jewelry Shop – Located at Revolution Mill, this Latina-owned studio creates custom designs and high-quality artistic jewelry.

WINSTON-SALEM

Restaurants & Food

• Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant – A staple on Reynolda Road and Oakwood Drive serving authentic Mexican favorites and daily specials for over 30 years.
• Sabor Latin Street Grill – An independently owned fast-casual eatery at 57 Miller Street offering scratch-made street food inspired by El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia.
• Taqueria El Paisano – A family-owned taco shop serving authentic Mexican street food for over 25 years.
• La Perlita – Located at 1001 Waughtown Street, this local spot offers authentic Mexican dishes like gorditas and chilaquiles alongside catering services.

Bakeries & Cafes

• Panadería el Molino — Traditional Mexican bakery, conchas, fresh bread daily
• Dulce Aroma Bakery / Break Co. – a locally owned Mexican bakery and coffee shop

Retail & Services

• Mercado El Camino — Latino market, groceries, specialty items, community gathering place
• El Rancho Supermarket — Hispanic grocery store, fresh produce, butcher counter
• Brajan Funes Studios – A local photography and video production company specializing in cinematic storytelling and community-driven media.

HIGH POINT

Restaurants & Food

• Loma Bonita — Located at 2304 E Martin Luther King Jr Dr, High Point, NC 27260 (336) 883-2454. A local spot offering authentic Mexican food.
• La Hacienda High Point — Located at 2826 S Main St, High Point, NC 27263 (336) 815-5912. A popular local restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes, sizzling fajitas, and house-made favorites.
• Ma’luz Mexican Grill — Owned by Jesus and Maria Ruiz, this local establishment provides authentic Mexican cuisine and warm service in the Northpoint area
• Mi Pueblo Mexican Grill is a long-standing, family-owned restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes and catering services to the area since 1989.

Services & Markets

• Superior Foods — A proudly Hispanic-owned, community-centered local market featuring fresh groceries, a butcher counter, and specialty staples.
• La Plazita Mexican Grocery — A clean, friendly neighborhood Hispanic grocery store featuring an attached food and ice cream parlor.
• YWCA Latino Family Center is a key community access program providing outreach, referral services, and family programs to the local Latino population.

FOOD, RECIPES & HISPANIC CUISINE

Must-Try Authentic Foods During Hispanic Heritage Month

Mexican Classics:

• Chiles Rellenos — Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, traditional dish
• Mole — Complex sauce with chocolate, spices, and peppers (Oaxacan specialty)
• Tamales — Masa (cornmeal dough) wrapped in corn husks, traditionally made as a family activity
• Carne Asada — Grilled marinated meat, often served with tortillas and lime
• Pozole — Hearty soup with hominy, meat, and traditional toppings
• Enchiladas — Rolled tortillas with filling and sauce, topped with cheese

Central American Favorites:

• Pupusas — Salvadoran stuffed flatbread with cheese, beans, and meat
• Arroz con Pollo — Rice with chicken, saffron, and vegetables
• Tostones — Fried plantain rounds, crispy and savory

Spanish Dishes:

• Paella — Saffron rice with seafood, meat, and vegetables (Spanish classic)
• Gazpacho — Cold tomato soup, refreshing on warm days

Desserts:

• Flan — Silky custard with caramel sauce (across Latin America)
• Churros — Fried dough pastries, often served with chocolate for dipping
• Tres Leches Cake — Sponge cake soaked in three milks (condensed, evaporated, and heavy cream)
• Polvorones — Mexican shortbread cookies, melt-in-your-mouth delicate

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES

Music & Dance

• Ballet Folklórico performances at Fiesta Festival and cultural events
• Latin music festivals throughout the Triad
• Salsa dancing lessons offered at community centers and dance studios
• Mariachi performances at festivals and celebrations

Arts & Crafts

• Papel Picado workshops — Create traditional Mexican decorative paper banners
• Piñata making — Craft your own traditional celebration piñata
• Folk art classes — Learn traditional embroidery, weaving, and crafts
• Mural painting — Community art projects celebrating Hispanic culture

Educational Activities

• Spanish language lessons — Classes for kids and adults at libraries and community centers
• Cultural heritage classes — Learn about different Hispanic countries and traditions
• Author readings — Hispanic and Latino authors at bookstores and libraries
• Film festivals — Spanish-language and Latin American films at local theaters

BOOKS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES

Picture Books for Young Children

• “Abuela” by Arthur Dorros — Story about a grandmother and granddaughter (Spanish/English)
• “In My Family / En Mi Familia” by Carmen Lomas Garza — Bilingual family stories with beautiful illustrations
• “The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!” by Mo Willems (Spanish edition) — Beloved character, bilingual fun
• “Goodnight Moon” (Spanish: “Buenas Noches, Luna”) — Classic bedtime story in Spanish
• Cinco de Mouse-O — Fun picture book celebrating Cinco de Mayo with mice characters
• Fiesta Babies — Adorable bilingual board book celebrating fiestas and family
• Just a Minute by Yuyi Morales — Mexican folk tale with beautiful illustrations and bilingual text

Chapter Books for Older Kids

• “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende (Young reader edition) — Magic realism, family saga
• “The Marvelous Cornelius” by Kate DiCamillo — Stories celebrating Hispanic culture
• “Lupita Mañana” by Patricia Beatty — Coming-of-age story about Mexican-American girl
• “Aru Shah and the End of Time” by Riordan (Rick Riordan’s mythology series) — Includes diverse characters and mythology

YA & Teen Books

• “The Storm Runner” by J.C. Cervantes — Mayan mythology, adventure
• “Darius the Great Is Not Okay” by Adib Khorram — Coming-of-age, identity, Iranian-American
• “Felix Ever After” by Kacen Callender — LGBTQ+ coming-of-age, Trans character
• “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika L. Sánchez — Contemporary YA about identity

Adult Books

• “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez — Classic magic realism
• “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende — Multi-generational saga
• “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel — Historical fiction, recipes woven in
• “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — Identity and immigration

CULTURAL TRADITIONS TO CELEBRATE

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) — November 1-2

A beautiful celebration honoring deceased loved ones with altars (ofrendas), marigolds, skull sugar candies, and pan de muerto (bread of the dead). The Triad will have celebrations, ofrendas, and cultural events.

Las Posadas — December

A nine-day celebration reenacting Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, featuring processions, songs, and community gatherings.

Cinco de Mayo — May 5

Celebration of the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, marked with parades, festivals, music, and traditional food.

Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) — January 6

Spanish tradition celebrating the arrival of the Three Kings/Magi with special bread (Rosca de Reyes) and gift-giving.

RESOURCES & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Greensboro

• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — Business networking and support
• Greensboro Parks & Recreation — Classes and cultural programming
• Greensboro Public Library — Bilingual programs, Spanish-language books, cultural events

Winston-Salem

• Hispanic Community Pride Center — Cultural events, advocacy, resources
• Winston-Salem Community Center — Classes, programs, community events
• Winston-Salem Public Library — Bilingual programming and cultural events

High Point

• High Point Parks & Recreation — Cultural activities and classes
• High Point Public Library — Spanish-language resources and programs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
A: Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) celebrates the contributions, cultures, and histories of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. It honors the rich diversity of Mexican, Central American, South American, and Spanish cultures.

Q: When does Hispanic Heritage Month start?
A: September 15, 2026. The observance runs through October 15. It starts on September 15 because that’s the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries.

Q: Are the Fiesta Festival and other events free?
A: Yes! Most major Hispanic Heritage Month festivals and cultural events in the Triad are FREE and family-friendly. Check individual events for any specific admission fees.

Q: What should I bring to outdoor festivals?
A: Bring sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, cash for food vendors, and a positive attitude! Arrive early for parking and best food selection.

Q: Are events family-friendly?
A: Yes! The Fiesta Festival and other major celebrations are designed for all ages. There are activities for kids, families, and adults.

Q: How can I support local Hispanic-owned businesses year-round?
A: Visit their restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Follow them on social media, leave positive reviews, and recommend them to friends. Support matters!

Q: Can I take photos at events?
A: Generally yes, but it’s always good to ask performers and vendors before photographing them, especially for commercial use.

Q: What if I don’t speak Spanish?
A: No problem! The Triad’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations are bilingual and welcoming to all. You’ll learn, enjoy authentic culture, and have fun.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE & SUPPORT

Celebrate Authentically

• Attend festivals and cultural events
• Visit local Hispanic-owned restaurants and businesses
• Learn about Hispanic history and contributions
• Read books by Hispanic and Latino authors
• Learn Spanish (or improve your skills)
• Cook Hispanic recipes and try new foods

Support the Community

• Shop at locally owned Hispanic businesses
• Hire Hispanic-owned service providers
• Donate to Hispanic community organizations
• Volunteer at cultural events
• Advocate for inclusive policies
• Listen to and amplify Hispanic voices

With Your Family

• Attend events together as a family outing
• Teach kids about Hispanic cultures and history
• Read bilingual or Spanish-language books
• Cook traditional recipes together
• Learn a few Spanish words as a family
• Celebrate the diversity that makes the Triad special

RELATED GUIDES

• Triad Cultural Festivals Guide — Year-round cultural celebrations in the Triad
• Cinco de Mayo Celebration Ideas for Triad Families — 30+ activities, recipes, crafts, and celebration ideas
• Best Restaurants in Greensboro — Local dining guide including Hispanic-owned restaurants
• Best Events & Festivals in the Triad — Complete calendar of community events

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of vibrant cultures, delicious food, joyful music, and resilient communities. The Triad is richer for its Hispanic and Latino residents, families, businesses, and cultural contributions.

Whether you’re celebrating your own heritage or discovering new cultures, September 15 – October 15 is the perfect time to honor, support, and celebrate the Hispanic communities that make the Triad home.

¡Que viva la cultura, la familia, y la comunidad! (Long live culture, family, and community!)

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Do you have a favorite Hispanic-owned business or event in the Triad? Comment below or contact us with your recommendations. We’d love to feature local businesses and celebrate our community!