Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration in the United States that honors the histories, cultures, contributions, and enduring impact of Hispanic and Latino/a/e communities. This month recognizes the influence of individuals whose heritage traces to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, and celebrates the vibrancy, resilience, and richness of these diverse cultures.
Nationally observed from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with additional independence celebrations in Mexico and Chile later in the month.
At Baylor University, Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity for the campus community to celebrate cultural traditions, deepen understanding, and honor the lived experiences and leadership of Hispanic and Latino/a/e individuals. Through collaborative programming, educational initiatives, and community gatherings, the celebration seeks to foster meaningful dialogue and create space for connection across cultures. This intentional engagement reflects a commitment to honoring identity, building community, and recognizing the dynamic contributions of Hispanic communities both locally and globally.
The events below are open to all and we encourage you to attend as many as you can. To learn how to participate, contact us at multicultural_affairs@baylor.edu.
2026 Calendar of Events
September 15 | LatinX Bears |
Tune in on all Instagram accounts - @latinxcoalitionbu, @baylor_MA, and @baylorbsc @cas_baylor as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month 2026! |
September 15 | Fall 2026 Study Abroad Fair |
Location: Center for Global Engagement Time: 3:00 PM |
September 17 | Picnic and Paletas presented by LASH |
Location: Fountain Mall | Moody Side Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Come enjoy some paletas with the La! Please complete the RSVP for food/drink purposes. Please bring a blanket or towel to enjoy the picnic. RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/KrBhfzNst4hvbBTg9 |
September 18 | Partnership & Community: Advancing Disability Services for Latino Families |
Location: Waco Civic Theatre | 1517 Lake Air Drive Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Join the Hispanic Leaders’ Network (HLN) for the next session of the Conectar-Connect Leadership Development Series, featuring Kristen Padilla, Ph.D., of Baylor University. Dr. Padilla will present Research, Partnership, and Community: Advancing Disability Services for Latino Families, an engaging discussion focused on strengthening access, inclusion, and support for Latino families of individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Drawing from her work in research, professional training, and community engagement, Dr. Padilla will share practical insights into how culturally and linguistically responsive approaches can improve family engagement, reduce barriers to services, and create stronger partnerships between families, educators, service providers, researchers, and community organizations. |
September 19 | Baylor Alumni Latino Alliance Tailgate | Vamos Osos |
Location: Baylor Alumni Tailgate Tent Time: 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Cheer on the Bears with the Baylor Alumni Latino Alliance at the Baylor Alumni Tailgate Tent before the Louisiana Tech game! Celebrate this year's "Vamos Osos" game with fellow alumni and enjoy all the Fan First fun! Walk-ups are welcome, but pre-registration is required to receive a $5 food voucher. Participants can use the voucher at the food trucks near Touchdown Alley. The voucher is valued at $5. Any amount over $5 will be the responsibility of the attendee and paid directly to the food truck. |
September 23 | Village Wednesday @ the Mayborn Museum - Celebrate Hispanic Heritage |
Location: Mayborn Museum Time: 10:00 AM Step back in time every Wednesday as the Mayborn's Historic Village comes to life with interactive activities, hands-on demonstrations, and storytelling. Join us for a special Village Wednesday exploring the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic communities through hands-on learning and storytelling. Included in the price of admission to the museum. Baylor University students and museum members receive free admission. |
September 24 | Jackson Family Chair Lecture "Embodied Encuentros: Oral History Archives of Latinas/os/es Experiences" featuring Dr. Elena Foulis |
Location: Moody Library | Schumacher Flex Commons Time: 3:30 PM Presented in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, this Jackson Family Chair Lecture explores how oral history, multilingual storytelling, and digital archives can preserve community knowledge and amplify Latina/o/e voices. Dr. Foulis is Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso and interim Director of the Institute of Oral History UTEP. |
September 28 | Hispanic Heritage Storytime with Daniela Rodriguez |
Location: Mayborn Museum Time: 10:30 AM Drop in for storytime and crafts geared toward kids 5 and under. |
September 29 | Hispanic Heritage Month Pop-Up Exhibit presented by The Texas Collection |
Location: Moody Library | Goodpasture Concourse Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Come join us for a pop-up exhibit celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! On Tuesday, September 29, from 2:00-4:00pm in the Goodpasture Concourse, The Texas Collection will showcase materials highlighting the state’s rich history and connection with Mexico and the Mexican American population. A selection of newspapers, photographs, cookbooks, art, and maps will examine how immigration, conflict, and colonization have shaped the heart of a people. The first 150 participants will receive a paleta from Helados La Azteca. |
September 30 | Compra Local |
Make it a day of supporting local vendors around Waco! |
October 2 | ¡Fiesta! hosted by the Hispanic Student Association & the Baylor Activities Council |
Location: Fountain Mall Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Fiesta is one of the largest multicultural event on campus, hosted annually by the Hispanic Student Association and Baylor Activities Council. This year’s event will take place on Fountain Mall on Friday night with live music, performances and food celebrating Latin American and Hispanic culture. |
October 3 | Pequeños Gigantes | Little Giants Talent Show presented by the Hispanic Leaders' Network |
Location: Mayborn Museum Complex Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
October 10 | Hispanic Heritage Month Walking Tour presented by The Institute for Oral History and The Texas Collection |
Time: 9:30 AM Join Adrienne Cain Darough and Sylvia Hernandez on a walk from St. Francis Catholic Church through historic Calle Dos and Sandtown to learn about people, places, and events that continue to shape Waco’s Hispanic community. |
October 9 | Hispanic Heritage Movie Night | Coco |
Location: South Russell Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
October 11 | Vamos Osos Night | Baylor Volleyball vs University of Arizona |
Location: Ferrell Center Time: 2:00 PM Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Ferrell Center as Baylor volleyball plays Arizona, complete with vibrant traditions and post-match team autographs. |
October 15 | ELOTEría Night hosted by LASH |
Location: Cashion 506 Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm ¡Hola familia! Come join LASH for our annual fundraiser, ELOTEría! It will be a fun night filled with lotería. elote, aguas, prizes, and music to cap off Hispanic Heritage Month! |
October 15 | Waco Symphony Orchestra: "Rhythm & Radiance" with GRAMMY Award-winning classical guitarist Sharon Isbin |
Location: Waco Hall Time: 7:30 PM Celebrate the warmth, color, and spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month with an evening that includes music inspired by Spain. Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin joins the Waco Symphony for Rodrigo’s beloved Concierto de Aranjuez, one of the most celebrated works ever written for guitar and orchestra. Hailed as the pre-eminent guitarist of our time, Isbin has performed with more than 200 orchestras around the world and has appeared everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. The program opens with Rimsky-Korsakov’s dazzling Capriccio Espagnol, filled with vibrant orchestral color and dance-inspired energy, and concludes with Dvořák’s joyful Symphony No. 8, a work overflowing with warmth, optimism, and melodic beauty. Together, the evening celebrates the spirit and culture of folk music and dance through vivid rhythms, unforgettable melodies, and vibrant orchestral energy. Get tickets: https://baylor.evenue.net/events/SA-WSO |
October 18 | "Just Poetry” featuring Sebastian Páramo |
Jointly organized by the Ethnic Studies and Environmental Humanities Programs, the aim of Just Poetry series is to use the music and magic of poetry to promote awareness of, foster dialogue about, and help inspire positive change in the intersection of environmental and racial justice. Below are the program events featuring our inaugural "Just Poetry" poet, Sebastian Páramo: Location: Schumacher Flex Commons (Moody 1st) Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM "Seeding the Future: Practicing a Sustainable Poetics" by Sebastian Páramo Location: Hankamer Treasure Room (Armstrong Browning Library) Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Poetry Reading and Book Signing by Páramo Following the reading, there will be a poetry garden planting activity in the Baylor Community Garden @ 9th & James Ave. |
October 24 | Cultural Foods & Dances Night hosted by Twelve Stones Global |
Location: Jubilee Theatre, 1319 N. 15th Street, Waco What a FUN evening it will be … and you are invited! A special night of great food and entertainment is coming! We will have over 10 different kinds of cultural foods and at least 9 cultural dances at Mission Waco’s World Cup Cafe (1321 N. 15th St) and next-door Jubilee Theatre (1319 N. 15th St). The event is a requested return of an outstanding evening we did several times 20+ years ago to help Wacoans deepen their appreciation for our global friends. For only $10, you'll get to eat international foods and watch dancers (or activities) representing: Latin America, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, China, India, Pakistan, Nagaland, Bhutan, Scotland, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, the Czech Republic, and others. (Note: some groups provide dance only, others food only, and some both. The $10 tickets increase to $15 at the door, so get yours early, or simply make a reservation with Jimmy Dorrell at jimmymdorrell@gmail.com. (The event is sponsored by “Twelve Stones Global” <www.twelvelivingstones.org>, a non-profit organization founded by Jimmy & Janet Dorrell for their global work in Haiti, South Asia, and Mexico City. Donations accepted at 1505 Barron Ave, Waco, TX 76707.) |
October 31 | Día de Los Muertos Waco - Parade & Festival |
This annual event serves as a unifying force bringing together the diverse communities of Waco and representing our city's vibrant Hispanic culture. Dia de los Muertos Waco kicks off with a vibrant parade in Downtown Waco. The festivities will spill into Indian Spring Park and continue into the evening with free entertainment and activities. Enjoy local art, experience traditional Folklorico dancers, and be serenaded by a collection of musical performances! Dia de los Muertos Waco will also feature an artisan vendor market, local food trucks, and fun kids' activities in our Family Fun Zone that will immerse you in the spirit of the holiday. Interested in joining the parade or becoming a sponsor? Visit https://creativewaco.org/diadelosmuertos/. Parade Start Time 4pm | Festival & Vendor Market 5pm-10pm
|