Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, the City of Alexandria commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of events and activities held between September 15 and October 15.
Page updated on September 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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Did You Know?

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. 

HHM Market Square Flags

City Hall Lights & Flags

During the entire month, flags representing over 20 Latin American nations will be displayed in Market Square. In the evenings, the national colors of Latin American countries will light up City Hall. See calendar below for the full lights schedule!

Arlandria Chirilagua Booklet Cover (2021)

Hispanic Heritage in Alexandria

Visit the Hispanic Heritage webpage to learn more about Hispanic history in the City. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Video Playlist

Schedule of Events

hispanic heritage month event calendar

Download the Calendar

Hispanic Heritage Month Partner Highlights

picture of local food destinations

Visit Alexandria

Visit Alexandria has rounded up the best ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month throughout the city. 

Photo Credit: Visit Alexandria

AEDP Small Business

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)

Join AEDP at Veronica’s Bakery on Saturday, Sept 27 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. for free support for small business owners and Cafecito en Español!

Photo of the entrance to Alexandria's Beatley Library.

Alexandria Library

About the Hispanic/Latino Population in Alexandria

The Hispanic/Latino population is an incredibly diverse group. representing a multitude of nationalities, cultural backgrounds, and experiences. Some of our Hispanic/Latino community members are recent immigrants to the country, while others have family lineages that stretch back far beyond the founding of our nation. 

Alexandria has a long history of residents who moved here from Central and South America. Beginning in the 1980s, a large community from El Salvador settled in the neighborhood we now call “Chirilagua,” after the city in El Salvador of the same name. 

Note: The terms 'Hispanic' and 'Latino/a' are used to describe individuals who identify with or relate to Spanish and Latin American origin or descent. “Hispanic” refers to a person with ancestry from a country whose primary language is Spanish, including Spain. “Latino” and its variations refer to a person with origins from anywhere in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Latino” is inclusive of countries like Brazil, where Portuguese is the primary language.

Latino/x Businesses in Alexandria

Our Hispanic/Latino community is a key part of Alexandria's story, and a historic driver for economic growth. Learn more about Hispanic/Latino owned small businesses in your backyard. 

Best Foot Forward Employees Photo
A row of leather folios lie on top of a glass display case. The folios are blue, brown and red.
The glass storefront emblazoned with the store's logo "White Lily Shoppe"
White Lily founder Bianca Del Cid poses in front of a display table, holding a bar of pink soap labeled Rose Clay. On the table behind her are assorted neutral jars of bath soak, candles, soaps and scrubs, and boxed gift sets.
A window display of neutral-toned bath bombs, soaps, scrubs, and towels in gift boxes. The nearest one to the camera has a card that says "It's Your Birthday!"
A table in the foreground is decorated with a display of bath items; towels, soaps, and scrubs, and gift boxes arranged decoratively. On the wall behind the table, out of focus, are shelves with more of the same bath and body items displayed artfully in keeping with the store's minimalistic, neutral theme.
Four jars of bath soak are stacked two by two, all of them full of what looks like pink rock salt. Two of the jars are labeled Bliss and two are labeled Serenity. On the shelf beside the bath soak are a bar of soap and an out-of-focus silver utensil.
Gold lettering on a pink wall spells out "VIDA STYLE" and below that "Curated Consignment & Handcrafted Gifts". The wall is dotted with three-dimensional flowers in complementary colors.
A brown haired woman poses for the camera in a cream-colored sweater and white blazer. Behind her are display racks of clothing and a pink wall with "Vida Style" in gold letters
White clothing racks filled with colorful cloths frame the store's entrance. To the far left, closest to the camera, a mannequin is wearing a suit of blue, cream and teal plaid over a white blouse with blue polka dots. Above the store's entrance is a colorful banner of ruffled paper flowers
In the foreground is a round display rack with several colorful shoes on display around a glass vase of pale pink pampas grass. In the background are racks of clothing on white hangers, some on wheels, and displays decorated with string lights.
A round white table is decorated with stacked pink Alexandria shopping guides topped with a transparent pink glass dish. To the right of the stack is a small framed sign that says "hello". To the left is a piece of driftwood used to display a silver necklace. Behind the stack of guides is a pedestal displaying a white leather purse. In the background are racks of colorful clothes and a gold-framed mirror displaying jewelry.
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Best Foot Forward Employees Photo
Owned by Wilfred Lopez, Best Foot Forward is an award-winning, family run operation. Having just moved to the Alexandria from Washington D.C., the store shows off a customizable menu across multiple services categories from your traditionally expected shoe repair shop offerings to full services in restoring vintage jackets/fur coats and handbags, to the up keeping of your high-end leather fashion accessories. Wilfred and his family opened their doors for behind-the-scenes look at how they operate.
Owned by Wilfred Lopez, Best Foot Forward is an award-winning, family run operation. Having just moved to the Alexandria from Washington D.C., the store shows off a customizable menu across multiple services categories from your traditionally expected shoe repair shop offerings to full services in restoring vintage jackets/fur coats and handbags, to the up keeping of your high-end leather fashion accessories. Wilfred and his family opened their doors for behind-the-scenes look at how they operate.
Owned by Wilfred Lopez, Best Foot Forward is an award-winning, family run operation. Having just moved to the Alexandria from Washington D.C., the store shows off a customizable menu across multiple services categories from your traditionally expected shoe repair shop offerings to full services in restoring vintage jackets/fur coats and handbags, to the up keeping of your high-end leather fashion accessories. Wilfred and his family opened their doors for behind-the-scenes look at how they operate.
A row of leather folios lie on top of a glass display case. The folios are blue, brown and red.
Owned by Wilfred Lopez, Best Foot Forward is an award-winning, family run operation. Having just moved to the Alexandria from Washington D.C., the store shows off a customizable menu across multiple services categories from your traditionally expected shoe repair shop offerings to full services in restoring vintage jackets/fur coats and handbags, to the up keeping of your high-end leather fashion accessories. Wilfred and his family opened their doors for behind-the-scenes look at how they operate.
Owned by Wilfred Lopez, Best Foot Forward is an award-winning, family run operation. Having just moved to the Alexandria from Washington D.C., the store shows off a customizable menu across multiple services categories from your traditionally expected shoe repair shop offerings to full services in restoring vintage jackets/fur coats and handbags, to the up keeping of your high-end leather fashion accessories. Wilfred and his family opened their doors for behind-the-scenes look at how they operate.
The glass storefront emblazoned with the store's logo "White Lily Shoppe"
White Lily Shoppe features a line of all-natural, organic body care products. Founder Bianca Del Cid was born and raised in Northern Virginia as the daughter of hard-working Central American immigrants who taught her dedication and grit. White Lily Shoppe’s mission is to provide sustainable and eco-friendly bath and body products, promoting well-being through natural ingredients and responsible consumption.
White Lily founder Bianca Del Cid poses in front of a display table, holding a bar of pink soap labeled Rose Clay. On the table behind her are assorted neutral jars of bath soak, candles, soaps and scrubs, and boxed gift sets.
White Lily Shoppe features a line of all-natural, organic body care products. Founder Bianca Del Cid was born and raised in Northern Virginia as the daughter of hard-working Central American immigrants who taught her dedication and grit. White Lily Shoppe’s mission is to provide sustainable and eco-friendly bath and body products, promoting well-being through natural ingredients and responsible consumption.
A window display of neutral-toned bath bombs, soaps, scrubs, and towels in gift boxes. The nearest one to the camera has a card that says "It's Your Birthday!"
White Lily Shoppe features a line of all-natural, organic body care products. Founder Bianca Del Cid was born and raised in Northern Virginia as the daughter of hard-working Central American immigrants who taught her dedication and grit. White Lily Shoppe’s mission is to provide sustainable and eco-friendly bath and body products, promoting well-being through natural ingredients and responsible consumption.
A table in the foreground is decorated with a display of bath items; towels, soaps, and scrubs, and gift boxes arranged decoratively. On the wall behind the table, out of focus, are shelves with more of the same bath and body items displayed artfully in keeping with the store's minimalistic, neutral theme.
White Lily Shoppe features a line of all-natural, organic body care products. Founder Bianca Del Cid was born and raised in Northern Virginia as the daughter of hard-working Central American immigrants who taught her dedication and grit. White Lily Shoppe’s mission is to provide sustainable and eco-friendly bath and body products, promoting well-being through natural ingredients and responsible consumption.
Four jars of bath soak are stacked two by two, all of them full of what looks like pink rock salt. Two of the jars are labeled Bliss and two are labeled Serenity. On the shelf beside the bath soak are a bar of soap and an out-of-focus silver utensil.
White Lily Shoppe features a line of all-natural, organic body care products. Founder Bianca Del Cid was born and raised in Northern Virginia as the daughter of hard-working Central American immigrants who taught her dedication and grit. White Lily Shoppe’s mission is to provide sustainable and eco-friendly bath and body products, promoting well-being through natural ingredients and responsible consumption.
Gold lettering on a pink wall spells out "VIDA STYLE" and below that "Curated Consignment & Handcrafted Gifts". The wall is dotted with three-dimensional flowers in complementary colors.
Alicia Valencia Erb, owner and founder of VIDA STYLE, a consignment boutique in Alexandria, opened the doors of her business in September to provide a behind-the-scenes look at her store. VIDA STYLE’S goal is to prioritize sustainability. It specializes in designer and high-quality consignments that are "different & delightful.”
A brown haired woman poses for the camera in a cream-colored sweater and white blazer. Behind her are display racks of clothing and a pink wall with "Vida Style" in gold letters
Alicia Valencia Erb, owner and founder of VIDA STYLE, a consignment boutique in Alexandria, opened the doors of her business in September to provide a behind-the-scenes look at her store. VIDA STYLE’S goal is to prioritize sustainability. It specializes in designer and high-quality consignments that are "different & delightful.”
White clothing racks filled with colorful cloths frame the store's entrance. To the far left, closest to the camera, a mannequin is wearing a suit of blue, cream and teal plaid over a white blouse with blue polka dots. Above the store's entrance is a colorful banner of ruffled paper flowers
Alicia Valencia Erb, owner and founder of VIDA STYLE, a consignment boutique in Alexandria, opened the doors of her business in September to provide a behind-the-scenes look at her store. VIDA STYLE’S goal is to prioritize sustainability. It specializes in designer and high-quality consignments that are "different & delightful.”
In the foreground is a round display rack with several colorful shoes on display around a glass vase of pale pink pampas grass. In the background are racks of clothing on white hangers, some on wheels, and displays decorated with string lights.
Alicia Valencia Erb, owner and founder of VIDA STYLE, a consignment boutique in Alexandria, opened the doors of her business in September to provide a behind-the-scenes look at her store. VIDA STYLE’S goal is to prioritize sustainability. It specializes in designer and high-quality consignments that are "different & delightful.”
A round white table is decorated with stacked pink Alexandria shopping guides topped with a transparent pink glass dish. To the right of the stack is a small framed sign that says "hello". To the left is a piece of driftwood used to display a silver necklace. Behind the stack of guides is a pedestal displaying a white leather purse. In the background are racks of colorful clothes and a gold-framed mirror displaying jewelry.
Alicia Valencia Erb, owner and founder of VIDA STYLE, a consignment boutique in Alexandria, opened the doors of her business in September to provide a behind-the-scenes look at her store. VIDA STYLE’S goal is to prioritize sustainability. It specializes in designer and high-quality consignments that are "different & delightful.”

Event Gallery

View photos from Hispanic Heritage Month events hosted by the City of Alexandria.

A group of City employees hold a Hispanic Heritage Month banner outside of the Del Pepper Center
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 1
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 2
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 3
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 4
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 5
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A group of City employees hold a Hispanic Heritage Month banner outside of the Del Pepper Center
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 1
On September 30, Alexandria celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, and food at Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden.
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 2
On September 30, Alexandria celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, and food at Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden.
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 3
On September 30, Alexandria celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, and food at Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden.
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 4
On September 30, Alexandria celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, and food at Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden.
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Photo 5
On September 30, Alexandria celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, and food at Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden.