Celebrate Hispanic Heritage in Wichita!
Hispanic and Latino traditions and culture are an integral part of the fabric of Kansas, with legacies that endure through generations. When you visit the state, you will find fiestas, Latino art festivals and celebrations of Hispanic food, drink and music.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) is a great time to visit and experience the state’s Hispanic and Latino heritage. 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.
In honor of the month, we’re highlighting how to celebrate the Latino community in Kansas’ largest city, Wichita, and have compiled this list of special events throughout the month as well as businesses you can support in Wichita, the Heart of the Country, year-round.
Special Events
Fiesta Hispana
Back to Top of ListLocation: Exploration Place
Date: Sept. 10
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.
Tumba Vacas de Wichita
Back to Top of ListLocation: Riverfront Stadium
Date: Sept. 15
As a part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión program, the Wichita Wind Surge will take the field as the Tumba Vacas de Wichita. Celebrate Kansas’ Hispanic and Latin culture with free activities for kids, specialty food items, music, dancing and more. Plus, the first 1,500 fans will receive a Tumba Vacas de Wichita sugar skull bobblehead. Stick around after the game for a fireworks show above the stadium.
Latin Dance Party with Tumboa
Back to Top of ListLocation: Brickyard
Date: Sept. 15
Dance the night away to Latin music in Wichita’s Old Town District. Brickyard will be serving drink specials and cocktails in fresh coconuts. Wichita salsa band Tumboa will take the stage at 9 p.m.
Latin Fest ICT
Back to Top of ListLocation: Old Town Square
Date: Sept. 16
Don’t miss this free cultural experience with 20-plus vendors, authentic cuisine, games and contests, presentations and lots of live music and performances. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Be there at 2:30 p.m. to see the Latin Fest parade and peruse the car show from 4 to 9 p.m.
Mexican Independence – ICT
Back to Top of ListLocation: Nomar International Market
Date: Sept. 30
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day in one of Wichita’s most festive neighborhoods, NoMar. Jam to live music by DJ Torres, watch folklórico dancers, indulge in Mexican snacks and more. The event is free to attend and takes place from noon to 11 p.m.
Available Year-Round
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
- La Chinita Mexican Restaurant – serving authentic Mexican fare since 1976
- Monica's Bundt Cake – local Hispanic family- owned bakery offering scratch desserts and cakes from Revolutsia, Wichita’s dining and shopping destination built using shipping containers
- 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
- 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 in downtown Wichita
- 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 serving from-scratch cuisine and roomy outdoor seating
- Ruben’s Mexican Grill – a longstanding restaurant in the Historic Delano District
- Tacos TJ 644 – two locations for Tijuana style tacos and more
- Taqueria El Fogon – two locations known for street tacos
- Tianguis Carniceria – Mexican market known for its butcher shop
- Tortilleria Los III Potrillos – a tortilla factory that also serves burritos, tamales, churros and other Mexican treats
- Uno Mas Fresh Mex – restaurant and food truck serving street tacos and other Mexican fare
- Other taco shops to consider include: Jimenez Tacos, El Sol de Michoacan Tacos Performance, Leo’s Taqueria, Ricos Tacos El Torito, Tacos el Compadre, Taqueria El vago and Tacos Chepe.
Learn more about Wichita here and download their visitor guide for additional inspiration.
