¡Saludos! The month celebrating the experiences, cultures, and contributions of Latina/e/o/x and Hispanic communities in the U.S. begins Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month was nationally recognized in 1988. Almost 100,000 Hispanic folk live in Davidson County, and it’s a great time to honor their history and support their businesses.
Why does this heritage month start in the middle of September? It marks a significant period in the region’s liberation from its colonizers. Costa Rica, El Salvador (¡mi gente!), Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. Mexico celebrates independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. Belize declared independence from the United Kingdom on Sept. 21, 1981.
Here are some ways you can celebrate this month:
🎉 What to attend:
- 🌮 Eat way too much at the Nashville Taco & Margarita Festival on Sept. 28 at First Horizon Park. Not only will there be lots of yummy tacos, there’ll be live music, a kid zone, pro wrestling, and a whole lot more.
- 🦓 Connect with animals at the Nashville Zoo’s Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sept. 28. Conexión Américas is teaming up with the zoo for a fun-filled day of cultural dances, puppet shows, animal encounters in Spanish, mariachi bands, and food.
- 🎵 Listen to live music at City Winery on Sept. 28 at their 2nd Annual Latin Heritage Month Writer’s Round.
- 🛢️ Celebrate Hispanic History Month on Sept. 29 at the Hermitage Library Branch with a live performance by Global Education Center's Afro Latin dance and drum ensemble, Nyama.
- 🖼️ Visit the Frist Art Museum’s ¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now show before it closes on Sept. 29.
- Listen to Hispanic community stories at Latino Tennessee Voices Live on Oct. 2 at Trevecca Nazarene University.
- Plaza Mariachi hosts events almost every day.
🥑 What to eat:
- Limo Peruvian Eatery in East Nashville is delicious.
- My favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant is Tequilas in Bellevue. I also love Las Fajitas in Antioch. Las Palmas has locations all over Nashville.
- For a quick bite, check out Mesa Komal Café at Belmont.
- Our fav food trucks: Caracasville, Burritos La Mina, and Delicias Colombianas RR.
🛍️ Where to shop:
- Shop vintage at Paloma Vintage Goods (furniture) and Torres Vintage (clothes).
- Up your jewelry game at Brunetta.
