National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) recognizes and celebrates the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans across the United States. It starts in the middle of the month rather than at the beginning of September to honor the anniversaries of national independence for a number of Latin American countries on Sept. 15, and because the commemoration started as a weeklong event.

To celebrate Wichita’s Latino community, we have compiled this list of special events throughout the month as well as businesses you can support year-round.

A woman dances at Latin Fest

Special Events

Salsa Night with TUMBÁO at Brickyard – Sept. 13
Dance the night away to Latin music in Wichita’s Old Town District. Brickyard will be featuring a few more salsa nights this year, with the next one taking place just days before Hispanic Heritage Month. Wichita salsa and bachata band TUMBÁO will take the stage at 9 p.m. Doors open with a $10 cover at 8 p.m. Must be 21+ to enter.

Fiesta Hispana at Exploration Place - Sept. 15
Enjoy crafts, play games, savor delicious food, party with music and dancing, rev your engines with low riders and explore the exhibit galleries at Exploration Place. Indoor stage performances will include a mariachi band, folklórico dancers, matachines dancers, singers, a fashion show and more. The event is from noon to 5 p.m. and is included with general museum admission.

6th Annual Latin Fest ICT in Old Town Square – Sept. 21
Don’t miss this free cultural experience with 50-plus tables to visit, authentic cuisine, games and contests, presentations and lots of live music and performances. You’ll find a variety of local vendors plus some from neighboring states including Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. near 2nd and Mead streets in Wichita’s Old Town District. Be there at 2 p.m. to see the Latin Fest parade!

Doc & Talk: Hispanic Heritage Month at Walters Branch Library – Sept. 24
Starting at 5 p.m., this event includes a showing of "The Wall: Short Documentaries on the Undocumented Immigration Crisis." After the film, there will be a short discussion. The film is a compilation of shorts "on the current undocumented immigration crisis touching topics such as The Wall, the effects of family separation at the border, deportation, and DACA." Space is limited and admission is free.

3rd Annual Nomar Fiesta at Nomar International Market – Oct. 5
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in one of Wichita’s most festive neighborhoods, Nomar. Jam to live music by TUMBÁO, watch performances, indulge in Mexican snacks and more. The event is free to attend and takes place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Smallgrass Movie Night: Disney’s “Encanto” at Evergreen Branch Library – Oct. 11
Nomar and Tallgrass Film Festival are teaming up to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Smallgrass will feature four short films, a dance break and an “Encanto” screening and will kick off at 6 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library.

Paleteria La Reyna popsicles

Available Year-Round

View our Visita Wichita guide for more inspiration and consider visiting these Latino-owned and operated shops, markets, bakeries and restaurants. They are located throughout the city, though you’ll find a concentration of businesses in Wichita's North End Mexican Community, often referred to as Nomar and roughly bordered by I-235 to the north, Broadway to the east, 13th Street to the south and Amidon to the west.

  • Aida Stenholm – find handmade bags, accessories and custom shoes by this Peruvian-American designer whose shop is in the Douglas Design District
  • Argentina's Empanadas – serving all your catering needs with one-of-a-kind empanadas with a wide selection of fillings
  • Itzcali Tapas & Tequila – boasts a large selection of tequila plus tacos and tapas
  • Lima Nation Peruvian Kitchen – Chef Carlos Manuel pays tribute to traditional Peruvian cuisine, featuring creative and delicious recipes
  • Playa Azul – an Old Town staple serving a large selection of Mexican dishes
  • AzTeca’s Boutique – a shop at Revolutsia selling handmade goods imported from Mexico and ranging from clothing and accessories to pottery and toys
  • Connie’s Mexico Café – Wichita’s oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant
  • La Chinita Mexican Restaurant – serving authentic Mexican fare since 1976
  • El Pollo Dorado – serving tacos and rotisserie whole chickens
  • El Rio Bravo Supermarket – two locations, both selling prepared foods and hard-to-find items like fresh cactus, chayote, papaya and star fruit
  • Felipe’s – a four-restaurant local chain of Mexican restaurants that started in February 1967
  • Juarez Bakery – in addition to pastries, sweet breads and cakes, both locations of this bakery sell breakfast burritos, fresh tortillas, paletas, meats and other groceries
  • La Tapatia Supermarket – groceries, prepared foods and home goods
  • Molino's Mexican Cuisine – serving an inventive fusion of traditional Mexican and Latin American dishes
  • Mr. Taco – enjoy tacos and their outdoor seating
  • Las Delicias ICT – drinks such as aguas frescas and snacks including ceviche, Mexican street corn and ice cream
  • Palacana – Wichita’s outpost of this favorite paleteria that first opened in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2004
  • Paleteria La Reyna – a full menu of entrees, snacks, aguas frescas and desserts, including homemade ice cream and Mexican popsicles, called paletas
  • Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant – westside restaurant with roomy outdoor seating serving from-scratch cuisine
  • Ruben’s Mexican Grill – a longstanding restaurant in the Historic Delano District
  • Tacos TJ 644 – two locations for Tijuana style tacos and more
  • Tortilleria Los III Potrillos – a tortilla factory that also serves burritos, tamales, churros and other Mexican treats

Plus, check out these taco restaurants featured on local influencer Fert the Foodie’s annual taco trail: Jimenez Tacos, El Sol de Michoacan Tacos Performance, San Cruditas, Ricos Tacos El Torito, Tacos el Compadre, La Jarochita, Taqueria El vago, Taqueria El Fogon and Tacos Alex – Mister Taco.

While not comprehensive, this blog post features businesses that visitors might be looking for when spending time in the Heart of the Country. Know of a business we should add? Tell us about it!