09/15/2026
Every September, much of Latin America marks its independence. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all celebrate on September 15; Mexico on September 16; and Chile on September 18. Those anniversaries are why National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15 each year, honoring the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities — including many families right here at Riverside.
In remembrance of those independence days and in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the PTA has put together a list of events around Milwaukie and the greater Portland area that are open to families. Most are free. Please share with anyone who'd enjoy them.
HAPPENING NOW — El Grito Portland
Today and tomorrow, Sept. 15–16, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Moda Center Commons, 1 N Center Court St. FREE.
The largest Mexican Independence celebration in the Pacific Northwest. Mariachi, ballet folklórico, Aztec dancers, live music, food vendors, community resources, and children's activities with contests, prizes and raffles. The official Grito de Independencia ceremony is tonight at 7 p.m. There's still time to go.
https://elgritoportland.com/en/home-2026/
Close to home
Spanish Storytime / Hora de Cuentos en Español — Saturdays, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. Oak Lodge Library, 3783 SE Concord Rd. Stories and play in Spanish. Free, all ages. Runs the 3rd and 4th Saturday of every month. https://www.clackamas.us/lib/kids
Bilingual StoryWalk® — Gladstone Nature Park. An outdoor reading trail with story pages in English and Spanish. Free, open anytime. https://www.clackamas.us/lib/kids
Around the Portland metro
Portland Timbers Hispanic Heritage Night — Saturday, Sept. 19, Providence Park. Cultural performances and a limited-edition scarf by Latina designer Jessica Paniagua-Rodriguez. Tickets required. https://www.timbers.com/news/timbers-announce-2026-cultural-celebration-nights
Teatro Milagro: "Autorretrato de Fridita" — Sunday, Sept. 20, 2–3 p.m. Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro. A family theater piece about Frida Kahlo. https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/our-city/departments/parks-recreation/events/festivals-celebrations/latino-hispanic-heritage-month
Danza Azteca Performance — Monday, Sept. 21, 4–5 p.m. Hillsboro Community Senior Center. Free.
Portland Latin American Film Festival (20th anniversary) — opens Sept. 23, runs through November. Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Feature films, documentaries and shorts from across Latin America; check individual titles for age ratings. https://hollywoodtheatre.org/series/portland-latin-american-film-festival/
El Festival de Mariachi — Sunday, Sept. 27, 12–6 p.m. Hillsboro Ballpark. FREE admission and parking. Mariachi bands all afternoon, Ballet Folklórico México en la Sangre, food vendors and an artisan marketplace. https://www.unitusccu.com/mariachi/
Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibition Reception — Thursday, Oct. 1, 5–7:30 p.m. Brookwood Library Art Gallery, Hillsboro. Free community gathering; the exhibition runs through the month. https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/our-city/departments/parks-recreation/events/festivals-celebrations/latino-hispanic-heritage-month
El Tigre Fest — Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Cook Family Park, Tigard. FREE. Six bands, 70+ food and artisan vendors, a Kids' Zone with games and face painting, and a youth soccer tournament. https://www.tigard-or.gov/explore-tigard/community-events/el-tigre-fest
Milagro: "Marigolds y Memorias" — Oct. 14–Nov. 8. Milagro Theatre, 525 SE Stark St., Portland. An original production inspired by the traveling carpa tradition. Ticketed. https://milagro.org/events/
Altares y Mu***os Public Art Exhibition — Oct. 24–Nov. 6, multiple Portland locations. FREE, no tickets or reservations needed. Community-built altars honoring Día de Mu***os. A free guided tour runs Saturday, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., starting at El Zócalo, 537 SE Stark St. https://milagro.org/events/
enfoque: From the Idea to Your First Book Featured September 19 @ 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM El Zócalo 537 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR, United States Everyone has a story worth telling. Author and researcher Dr. Angel Contreras Cruz leads an interactive seminar designed to help transform one’s life exp...
