Layers of Spanish, Mexican, and Central and South American cultures have built and shaped the Pacific Northwest.
courtesy MEXAM
Some Washington place names, like the San Juan Islands and Port Angeles, reflect Spanish exploration that began in 1774; east of the Cascade Mountains, Mexican farm workers began arriving in the 19th century and remain integral to the state’s agricultural industry, while others migrated west to the Puget Sound region and became involved with El Movimiento, the Civil Rights era. Later, political turbulence drove people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, and Nicaragua to move north.
The Hispanic and Latino/a/x cultural presence in Seattle is deeply rooted in community and multigenerational legacy, and you can find an abundance of Mexican and Central and South American foods throughout Seattle as a result. You can also immerse yourself in Latino/a/x art, events, and history in a few key neighborhoods. Beacon Hill is home to El Centro de la Raza, and South Roberto Maestas Festival Street, which is one of a handful of designated event streets throughout the city. Activist and teacher Roberto Maestas was the founder of El Centro and a leading Seattle social justice figure.
The South Park neighborhood is home to a dedicated museum of Latino/a/x culture and many Mexican and other Latino/a/x restaurants, markets, and businesses. It holds an annual Fiestas Patrias parade in September that pairs with a weekend-long festival at Seattle Center. Look for some of the Seattle area’s oldest arts groups like Joyas Mestizas, a Mexican folklórico youth dance group, and Bailadores de Bronce, formed in 1972, who perform at events throughout the year.
Explore Arts & Culture
Pike Place Market photo: Rachael Jones
Pike Place Market
Latino/a/x farmers, artists, and craftspeople sell everything from fresh local produce to jewelry and paintings at this iconic Seattle farmer and artisan market, in operation since 1907. Enjoy Bolivian, Mexican (including a vegan option), and other Latin American cuisines, shop specialty foods, and peruse hand-made gifts at Milagros Mexican Folk Art, a Market institution for 30-plus years.
El Centro De La Raza
El Centro de la Raza
At El Centro de la Raza, meaning “The Center for People of All Races,” browse murals such as the entryway artwork by Daniel DeSiga, Explosion of Chicano Creativity. Activists established this community service center in 1972 after peacefully occupying an abandoned school—a watershed moment for Seattle’s Latino/a/x civil rights movement.
courtesy Nepantla Cultural Arts
Nepantla Cultural Arts
At this gallery, shop, and community hub focused on Latino and Chicano arts on the border of the West Seattle and White Center neighborhoods, you’ll find jewelry, gifts, clothing, and art by local and national artisans as well as speakers, workshops, and open mic events.
Cantrinas festival shutterstock
Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture
Take a deep dive into the history and influence of the Spanish-speaking community throughout the state and in Seattle, from World War II to the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s to the 1970s, through to the present. It’s the most comprehensive such museum in the Pacific Northwest.
Struggle Against Racial Discrimination by Pablo O’Higgins
Murals at the University of Washington
One of just two murals painted in the United States by renowned Mexican artist Pablo O’Higgins is housed at UW. Commissioned by Local 541 of the Ship Scalers Union, the story of how The Struggle Against Racial Discrimination came to be restored and displayed on the second floor of Kane Hall is an interesting one, as is, of course, the mural itself. At the university’s Ethnic Cultural Center, the largest standalone multicultural center on a college campus in the nation, you can find several works, such as artist Emilio Aguayo’s 1972 Somos Aztlan.
Special Events
May
Cinco de Mayo
The city bursts into celebration of mariachi music, folklórico dancing, food, and more at a variety of venues on this popular global celebration of Mexican culture. Find events at El Centro de la Raza and in South Park.
July
Low Rider Block Party
Cruise colorful customized cars while enjoying food, dance, music, and more at this White Center celebration of Chicano culture and pride that has been growing for several years.
September
Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias
September marks independence day for Mexico (and several Latin American countries) from colonial rule, and this weekend-long event brings it all together with music, food, cooking demonstrations, and more at Seattle Center, and a fiesta and parade in South Park. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out Cesar Chavez Park, which honors the farm worker activist and has a sculpture by Jesus Bautista Morles, Musical Steles.
September–October
Mexam NW Festival
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with art; Mexam NW spotlights a variety of artists and curates exhibits in multiple locations, including at the University of Washington and downtown Seattle galleries.
September 15–October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month Events
The month encompasses independence anniversaries for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile, as well as El Dia de la Raza on October 12. Events take place each year at libraries, museums, colleges, and other community gathering places.
October
Seattle Latino Film Festival
The only film forum in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to Latino film, this week-long fest showcases domestic and international films.
November
Dia de los Muertos
You can find Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, in which people remember departed loved ones with altars, foods, and other items, all around the city come November; some of the most notable celebrations are at Seattle Center as well as the Seattle Catrinas Festival at Town Hall.
Discover More of Seattle's Rich Cultural Heritage
Photo: Jack Storms
Native American Heritage
Photo: Tracey Hunter
Asian American Heritage
Rosemaling by Betty Edwards.
Nordic Heritage
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