Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Austin with festivals, events

The second annual Juntos Festival is taking place this Sunday at Fair Market in East Austin, bringing together food, music and art to celebrate Latino culture in Texas.

Organized by Austin-based Siete Family Foods, the free event coincides with the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a national observance recognizing the histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on Sept. 15, a date chosen to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days in the same week.

The observance originated in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988. Today, it recognizes the cultural and economic impact of more than 63 million Latinos living in the U.S. — a group that represents nearly one in five Americans.

The month carries particular resonance in Texas, where Latino communities have shaped the state’s foodways, music, politics and daily life for centuries. In Austin, that influence can be seen in everything from the murals on East César Chávez Street to the rhythms of conjunto and cumbia that animate local dance floors.

This year’s festival will run from noon to 6 p.m. and feature food from Mercado Sin Nombre, Cuantos Tacos, La Mapachita Tamaleria and La Plancha. The program also includes an autograph session with Austin FC players CJ Fodrey and Riley Thomas, a performance by local band the Tiarras and children’s activities hosted by the Thinkery.

For many of the festival’s organizers and participants, Juntos is as much about unity as it is about celebration. By gathering artists, musicians, food vendors and families under one roof, the event reflects both the diversity and the interconnectedness of Latino culture in Austin.

A month-long exhibit (through Sept. 30), showcasing the work of Gilberto Cárdenas, a scholar and collector who chronicles Mexican American life through striking photography. The opening reception takes place Sept. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Entry is free to the exhibit.

227 Congress Ave. lapena-austin.org. 512-477-6007. 

Colombian trio BALTHVS will fill the venue  with hypnotic funk, psychedelic grooves, and global rhythms. Doors at 5 p.m. Tickets begin at $31 on TicketMaster.

1308 E. Fourth St. scootinnaustin.com. 512-777-0873.

The multi-week series features a group exhibition of 12 Latino visual artists and events that include music, dance, film and community engagement. The exhibit is presented by The Cathedral and OfColor. Admission varies by day and a full list of events can be found on EventBrite.

2403 E. 16th St. thecathedralatx.com. 512-220-4108.

A Latino-led fashion showcase celebrating cultural expression and creativity on the runway. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $28.52 on EventBrite  and include complimentary beverages while supplies last. This is a 21+ event.

2008 Alexander Ave. facebook.com/MUSICARTSOULCULTURA.

The event pairs the aroma of conchas and pink cakes from Joe’s Bakery with an archival audio installation that explores Mexican American baking traditions. Entry is free with museum admission. Guests can experience the event on Sept. 30, and Oct. 1-3, from 11 a.m. to 4: 15 p.m. A related program, “A Taste of History: Pan Dulce,” will follow on Oct. 4. 

802 San Marcos St. thc.texas.gov. 737-226-1399.