Smithsonian Museums in Washington Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025

The Smithsonian invites the public to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) through a series of exhibitions, lectures, family activities and traveling exhibits. All programs are free unless otherwise indicated. 

Exhibitions

"Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture”
National Museum of American History
Sept. 26–Oct. 3, 2027
Lowriding culture combines artistic expression, technological innovations and storytelling that reflect Mexican American and Chicano culture and identity. “Corazón y vida” tells the 80-year history of lowriding and community building through photographs, posters, objects such as a pinstripe tool kit, car club clothing, trophies and other materials.

Traveling Exhibit: “Lowrider Culture in the United States/Cultura Lowrider en los Estados Unidos”
In a collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the National Museum of the American Latino, a traveling version of the National Museum of American History’s lowrider exhibition, featuring digital prints, will launch Sept. 13 at the Muzeo Museum and Culture Center in Anaheim, California. The national tour is set to run through 2029.

“Justin Favela: Capilla de Maíz (Maize Chapel)”
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Ongoing Exhibit
The Smithsonian American Art Museum commissioned a new site-specific installation, “Capilla de Maíz (Maize Chapel),” by multidisciplinary artist Justin Favela for the Renwick Gallery’s Rubenstein Grand Salon. His mixed-media practice incorporates traditional Mexican and Latin American craft—specifically cartonería or piñata making—into large-scale sculptures and installations. “Capilla de Maíz (Maize Chapel)” honors the cultural significance of corn in the Americas.

Virtual Exhibit—National Museum of the American Latino Presents a Sneak Peek
“¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa”
Sept. 15–Oct. 15 only on Mondays and Wednesdays
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The National Museum of the American Latino is offering preview presentations of its upcoming exhibition, “¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa,” ahead of its spring 2026 opening. Participants will gain insight into the themes and concepts explored in the exhibition. Preview presentations are available for a limited time and on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are required—more information about registering will be forthcoming on the museum’s website.

Family Festivals

The Corazón y vida: Lowriding Family Festival 
National Museum of American History
Saturday, Sept. 27 (rain date: Sunday, Sept. 28)
10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Lowriding Family Festival celebrates the opening of the exhibition “Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture” with activities for all ages: local club members talking about their lowrider cars and bikes, live music performances and an expert panel offering insight into the intersection of lowrider culture and music. The family festival is held in partnership with the National Museum of the American Latino. For a full schedule of specific activities, visit the events website.

The Latino Museum will also partner with a local artist to create a community art wall that will be displayed in the museum’s General Motors Learning Lounge starting spring 2026, and it will host a create-your-own lowrider activity in front of the Molina Family Latino Gallery.

“Fotos y Recuerdos Festival”
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum
Kogod Courtyard
Saturday, Sept. 27
11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
The National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum will host an all-day festival in the Kogod Courtyard with books, activities and fun from Lil’ Libros to celebrate art, history and culture. There will be live performances and dance workshops, tours of each museum, art-making and games of Lotería, a traditional Mexican board game. Registration encouraged. 

Demonstrations

¡Carritos! A Learning Activity Cart Program
Molina Family Latino Gallery, National Museum of American History
Sept. 11–Oct. 11 only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
11 a.m.–3 p.m.  
The National Museum of the American Latino will present a series of mobile-cart activities and experiences in front of the Molina Family Latino Gallery in the American History Museum, as part of the Latino Museum’s learning program during Hispanic Heritage Month.

These 10-minute hands-on mobile-cart activity experiences will allow visitors of all ages to create and connect with items in the Latino Museum collection and themes from past and future exhibitions, as well as items from other Smithsonian collections or content.

Music

Marimba Melodies
National Museum of the American Indian
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20–21
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
The marimba is a large instrument played by striking rows of wooden bars with mallets. It is a symbol of Guatemalan national identity, recognized by the Organization of American States as part of the Cultural Heritage of the Americas. Traditional marimba music serves as a link to Guatemalan culture for young Guatemalans living in the United States.

Marimba rhythms will be presented by Marimba Maya AWAL, based in the Washington, D.C., area. In the Indigenous Maya Mam language, “awal” translates to “the sower.” Founded in 2005 by Julia Sanchez and Luisa Lopez, the group aims to sow the knowledge of their Maya ancestors from the mountainous western region of Guatemala for future generations.

Food

The museum cafes will celebrate Hispanic heritage and culinary traditions through authentic flavors and exclusive offerings. In the National Museum of American History’s Eat At America's Table, chef Mollie Kaufman will add boldly flavored Taqueria options like chipotle beef served with fresh corn and flour tortillas. At the National Museum of American Indian’s Mitsitam Native Foods Café, sous chef Toshiba Veney’s warm apple pecan cake pairs seasonal spices together with locally sourced apples. And at the National Museum of Natural History’s Atrium Cafe, chef David Lazo will share his Salvadorian heritage with menu highlights like Salvadorian-style roast chicken and Spanish rice.

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SI-195-2025