Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Arlington, Virginia

In addition, Día de los Muertos, from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, combines indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism in a typically Latin American custom that honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations.

With nearly 15 percent of its residents boasting Hispanic, Latino or Spanish heritage, Arlington is especially proud to pay tribute to current and past generations who have contributed to, and enriched, the county’s culture and diversity.

Staying in Arlington puts you close to all of the area’s celebrations! Here are some local highlights:

Enjoy Arlington's Hispanic Cuisine

Arlington's dining scene encompasses a variety of global cuisines, including some of the best and most authentic Hispanic restaurants. From authentic Mexican favorites such as Tacombi and Los Chamacos to Peruvian delights Inca Social or delicious tapas at SER, you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by becoming immersed in the flavors and culture of these Arlington restaurants.

If you're looking to grab a great cup of coffee, make sure to stop by La Coop Coffee. La Coop is a family-owned and operated business from the beginning of the value chain in Union Cantinil, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, to the end, in the Washington, D.C. area. Juan Luis Salazar Cano, Founder and CEO of the social enterprise La Coop Coffee Company, has deep roots in the Guatemalan Coffee Industry.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library

Arlington Public Library is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of fun events, perfect for the whole family. Join in on the fun and learn how to dance salsa and bachata with the Encanto Salsa team, stop by for an outdoor game of Loteria and more.For the full schedule of events, check out the library's website here.

Fiesta DC

Fiesta DC, an annual celebration highlighting the Latino culture with a Parade of Nations, is set for Sept. 23-24 in Washington, D.C. See traditional costumes and entertainment from a variety of Latino countries in the Sept. 24 parade starting at Constitution Avenue and 7th Street near the National Archives Building and proceeding east. An event stage will be located at 10th and Constitution Avenue in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Make it Monumental

National Hispanic Heritage Month means it’s also a good time to visit monuments and learn more about history. Visit the United Spanish War Veterans Memorial located on Memorial Avenue in Arlington, west of Arlington Memorial Bridge.

>Also labeled, “The Hiker,” the statue stands sentinel heading into Arlington National Cemetery. The base includes the insignia of the Spanish War Veterans and the dates of the war, 1898 – 1902, which resulted in the United States acquiring territories in the western Pacific and Latin America.

Inside the cemetery, the 50-foot-high Spanish-American War Monument has stood since 1902, dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Spanish-American War Nurses Monument, in the cemetery’s Section 21, recalls the first war involving the United States in which nurses were assigned as a special, quasi-military unit.

Find out more about touring all of Arlington’s iconic memorials and museums

*Main photo courtesy of Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Photo by Matailong Du.