Events
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Tempe
September 11, 2024
Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the history and culture of Hispanic communities as well as an opportunity to commemorate the influences and contributions of these communities have added to American society at large.
In Tempe, this includes community events that recognize the past, present and future of Hispanic communities through traditions, cultural celebrations, art, performances, and more.
From day one, the Hispanic community has played a considerable role in Tempe’s history.
More than 300 years ago, Spanish settlers traveled north of central Mexico into what is now Arizona and started families that would live here for generations, some descendants becoming pioneer settlers of Tempe.
One of these settlers was Manuela Sánchez Sotelo, also known as the Mother of Tempe. After her husband’s death, she traveled to Tempe to manage the family ranch. She created new American-Mexican relationships, shared her land with other Mexican families and was an early supporter of the new Territorial Normal School in Tempe. Her historic contributions to our city are why we continue to grow today!
Many Hispanic community members also acted as the backbone of projects that grew Tempe, working on canals, farmland, Charles Trumbull Hayden’s blacksmith & wagon shops and at Hayden Flour Mill, one of the most prominent agricultural industries in the Valley at the time.
Each year, Tempe holds various Hispanic Heritage Month events to honor and celebrate our Hispanic communities, and we invite you to join us throughout this month and beyond:
Día De Independencias at ASU: Sept. 15, 2024
ASU Art Museum
ASU Art Museum celebrates the arts and culture of multiple Latin American countries, including Mexico, Chile, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, during Hispanic Heritage Month. Although these countries have unique cultural identities, all were subjected to Spanish rule and rule and annually celebrate their Independence Days in September. Everyone is invited to learn and enjoy these traditions, which include a papel picado activity, Mariachi music, local food trucks, and dance workshops and performances and more from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Night at Phoenix Rising: Sept. 21, 2024
Phoenix Rising Stadium
The USL Champions invite you to honor Hispanic Heritage on Saturday, Sept. 21, as they face off against San Antonio FC. Fans can join the celebration and experience activations throughout the match with a Hispanic twist. The evening will also feature unique food options, music and events. Item of the night: Rising themed luchador masks will be on sale.
Magos Herrera: Sept. 26, 2024
Tempe Center for the Arts
Discover the captivating vocals of Magos Herrera! A leading voice in Latin American jazz, her eloquent improvisation and bold style blends contemporary jazz with Mexican folk and Latin American rhythms. Singing in Spanish, English, and Portuguese her expressive performances have enchanted audiences worldwide and earned critical acclaim from “The New York Times,” “NPR Music,” and “Billboard.”
Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular: Oct. 5, 2024
Tempe Community Complex
Join Mariachi Garibaldi and Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande for “Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular.” Celebrate life with vibrant music, dance, stunning costumes, and a heartfelt tribute to lost loved ones. Immerse yourself in Mexico’s rich heritage and unforgettable tradition.
Tempe Tardeada: Oct. 6, 2024
Tempe Community Complex
¡Música y baile para todos! Music and dance for everyone! Tempe Tardeada’s mission is to identify and recognize the Hispanic historical roots of Tempe and educate the community with a celebration of the Hispanic culture. This event is free for all, from noon to 8 p.m., at Tempe Community Complex.
Guelaguetza: Oct. 5–6, 2024
Desert Botanical Garden
Guelaguetza is an annual Indigenous cultural event in the city of Oaxaca. Each fall, the lively festivities of this traditional Mexican indigenous holiday come alive at the Desert Botanical Garden. Immerse yourself in history, traditions, culture, art, music, dance and the flavors of Oaxaca’s eight regions.
Lotería Nights: Oct. 10 & Nov. 14, 2024
Desert Botanical Garden
Join the garden for rounds of Lotería, a Mexican card game similar to bingo, on the third Wednesday in October and November. Play for a chance to win prizes, and enjoy tasty food, drinks, música y más. Must be ages 21 to play.
Indígena: A Latin American Indigenous Celebration: Oct. 14, 2024
Tempe Center for the Arts
Celebrating the Indigenous peoples of Latin America through indígena artistic traditions of dance, music and storytelling, ancestral dancers, and musical sounds from Latin America. Families are invited to participate in this free program — presented by TCA and curated by Cultural Coalition, Inc. — with art-making activities throughout the evening.
Schedule:
4:15–4:30 p.m. | Welcome by Zarco Guerrero w/ Flute and Charango music
4:30–5 p.m. | Coatlicue Danza Mexica
5–5:30 p.m. | Los Waukis Andinos
5:30–5:45 p.m. | Patricia Federico – Traditional Healing Practices Presentation
5:45–6:15 p.m. | Los Waukis Andinos
6:15–6:45 p.m. | Coatlicue Danza Mexica
5–6:45 p.m. | Kids Art Activity w/ artist Monica Gisel
Día de Muertos: Nov. 2–3, 2024
Desert Botanical Garden
Celebrate Día de Muertos with a two-day festival filled with music, dance and storytelling at the Desert Botanical Garden, Nov. 2 & 3, 2024. At day’s end, Garden guests are invited to join performers in La Procesión, a procession honoring passed loved ones.
The community ofrenda (altar) exhibit — centered on the legend of the Cempasúchil flower (marigold) and the story of Xóchitl and Huitzilin — will be on display in Ottosen Gallery Nov. 1–3, 2024.
¡AZÚCAR!: Nov. 16, 2024
ASU Gammage
Contra-Tiempo’s ¡AZÚCAR! is a courageous naming/confrontation of and intentional obliteration of the undercurrent and often unspoken anti-Blackness in latinidad. Questions are continuing to drive the process as we begin to understand the complicated history of sugar and the messages from our ancestors. What does it feel like to individually and collectively heal, what does it move like? 20 brilliant artists and collaborators take audiences through a journey of Celia Cruz’s vibrations, unearthing history embedded in our bodies. As part of ASU Gammage’s “Beyond Series,” ¡AZÚCAR! explores ancestral wisdoms about a plant that once aided in our healing, used as a way to sweeten medicinal concoctions, now extracted, refined and used as weaponized poison. This courageous work is rooted in and inspired by the sacred feminine, personal narratives of food, labor, community, sabor and explorations of “familying” and healing as practices.
Share your Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Tempe with us on Instagram by tagging @tempetourism or using #TempeTourism.
