This piece was featured first on Sept. 8, 2026, for K Onda, a monthly newsletter from Blanca Torres with stories elevating the voices of Latinx changemakers in the Bay Area. Subscribe today.
In this newsletter:
- Column: Latinos Need to Show Up for Each Other This Hispanic Heritage Month
- K Más from KQED: featured stories
- K Pasa: Fiestas patrias events all over the Bay Area, El Grito in San Francisco and San José, concerts, fitness events, and more.
Our September edition is extra long because of all the events we include for Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month. I’m sure I missed some, so feel free to send me more suggestions.
One event I’m hoping to attend is an upcoming performance in Berkeley by Los Hermanos Mendoza, a trio of brothers who cover conjunto classics as well as country hits such as, “Streets of Bakersfield.”
Like many Latinos, they have figured out how to seamlessly blend their culture and heritage with other American influences – which is exactly what Hispanic Heritage Month should be about.
Latinos Need to Show Up for Each Other This Hispanic Heritage Month
Tucked inside a compact shop near the corner of 25th and Mission streets in San Francisco, Mission Lotería is evolving from promoting local businesses into a small business of its own.
The organization, which started in 2019, plans to open its first storefront on Sept. 10 at 2884 Mission St., selling giftable items such as hand-painted clay coffee mugs, purses designed by a Colombian artist, clothing, and stationery and cards designed by Bay Area artists.
“What began years ago as a creative campaign celebrating the Mission, supporting neighborhood businesses, and bringing our community together has grown into more than we could have imagined,” said Luis Quiroz, founder of Mission Lotería.
The store’s opening coincides with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
“I intentionally planned the store opening just before Hispanic Heritage Month so that we could lean into the festivities that were to come and be able to highlight the Latino voices and the Latino artists that are going to be featured here.”
Quiroz, 36, created the marketing platform to support local artists and small businesses by organizing community events and neighborhood tours.
“I want people to visit Mission Lotería and then venture into a cafe shop or a taqueria or a restaurant or another brick-and-mortar store,” Quiroz said. “It’s the starting point to bring them to the other parts of the Mission.”
The organization provides a template for how to support Latino businesses with intention and thoughtfulness, especially at a time when …
K Más: Featured Stories From KQED
- This San José Food Tent Is a Temple to Crispy Colombian Stuffed Pork
- ICE Airport Arrests Attract Legal Outcry
- Becerra Easily Leading California Governor’s Race Defined by Partisan Split, Poll Shows
- Artificial Stone Containing Silica is Killing Workers. Will California Ban It?
- Central Valley Farmers are Growing Agave to Save Water
K Pasa: Events We Recommend
- Latin Heritage Month in Downtown San Leandro, 4-9 p.m. Sept. 11, 1446 Washington Ave., San Leandro. This event will include lucha libre wrestling, performances by Mariachi Tapatio, salsa dance lesson, food trucks and vendors. Admission is free.
- Richmond and San Pablo Paz y Unidad Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival, parade from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 12. The parade will start at 23rd Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond. The festival at St. Paul Church, 1845 Church Lane, San Pablo, will feature food vendors, a play area for kids and performances by bands and dance groups.
- Chile, Mole, Pozole, 12:30-5 p.m., Sept. 12, Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San José. Enjoy food, activities and a musical performance by cumbia group Sonora San José. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youths 7-17 and free for kids ages 6 and under.
- Fiesta de las Américas, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sept. 12, Harrison Street between 23rd and 25th streets, San Francisco. Enjoy four blocks of traditional Latin American dance and musical performances organized by Calle 24 cultural district. Admission is free.
- Redwood City Fiestas Patrias, 2-8 p.m., Sept. 13, Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Enjoy ballet folklórico, mariachi performances, live music, kids area, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a traditional flag ceremony conducted by the Consul General de Mexico. Admission is free.
- San Francisco Premium Outlets Mexican Independence Day Celebration, 12-3 p.m., Sept. 12, 2774 Livermore Outlets Dr., Livermore. Performances from Mariachi Estelar and Ballet Folklórico Mexicano, along with activities for families.
- 17th Annual Fiesta de Independencia, 1-7 p.m., Sept. 13, at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. This festival will feature food, games, family activities, ballet folklórico and musical performances by Banda La Congora, Los Canarios de Michoacán and Mariachi Cantares de mi Tierra. Admission is free.
- Latinas Forever Market at SPARK Social SF 12-4 p.m., Sept. 13, 601 Mission Bay Blvd. North, San Francisco. More than 20 Latina-owned vendors selling art, fashion, jewelry, handmade goods, treats and more. Admission is free.
- San Francisco El Grito de Independencia 2026, 4-9 p.m., Sept. 15, Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco. An evening of music, Mexican delicacies, live music, and the reenactment of El Grito de Independencia, the historic call for Mexican independence from Spain in 1810. Admission is free.
- San José El Grito de Independencia, 4-9 p.m. Sept. 15, at 200 E. Santa Clara St., San José. This year’s gathering will feature food, crafts, live music and other performances celebrating Mexican culture and traditions. The reenactment of the call for independence is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
- KQED Live Presents The Ritual of Braiding, 7 p.m. Sept. 17, The Commons at KQED, 2601 Mariposa St., San Francisco. Explore the cultural significance of braiding across Latine, African and Indigenous traditions in which hair carries history, identity and care. Admission is $20 in person or free online.
- King of the Streets Lowrider Parade, 12-6 p.m. Sept. 19, Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and 17th streets, San Francisco. The San Francisco Lowrider Council, the City of San Francisco, the Mission Merchants Association, and Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, will host a lowrider parade and hopping competition.
- BAE Movement Sunset Hike + Serenata, 5:15 p.m. Sept. 19, Tennessee Valley Parking Area, 725 Tennessee Valley Road, Mill Valley. A hike to the beach, where a norteño music group will perform a sunset serenata, followed by a hike back to the starting point. Tickets: $40.
- Del Cielo Brewing Events:
- Inkietud Musical, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18, at 701 Escobar St., Martinez.
- Los Bahianatos, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 26, at 701 Escobar St., Martinez.
- Mariachi San Carlos, 7 p.m., Sept. 19, at 4771 Arroyo Vista, Livermore.
- Julio Bravo, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 25, at 4771 Arroyo Vista, Livermore.
- Los Hermanos Mendoza in Concert, 9 p.m., Sept. 25, at Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. This trio of Mexican-American brothers from Bakersfield blends classic norteño music with country rhythms. Tickets: $28-34. They’ll be back in our region for a show in Napa on Oct. 25.
- Viva Fall Fest, 1-5 p.m., Sept. 26, Fourth Street Makers Row, 1919 Fourth St., Berkeley. Live Latin music, folklórico performances, salsa dancing, food vendors and local makers. Admission is free.
- Hayward Mariachi Festival, 12-6 p.m., Sept. 26, Southland Mall, Hayward. Live performances by mariachi bands along with food and craft vendors. Admission is free.
- ¡VIVA! Kickoff Party, 12-4 p.m., Sept. 26, San Francisco Main Public Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. This event will feature a musical performance by Francisco Herrera, a reading by Jaime Cortez from his book Gordo, a reading by author Cynthia Gómez from her book Muñeca and a performance by TANGO INC. Admission is free.
- Gran Festival Viva Nicaragua, 10:30 a.m., Sept. 27, Swiss Park Newark, 5911 Mowry Ave., Newark. A day celebrating Nicaraguan food, culture and music. Admission is $35 or free for youths age 10 and younger.
- La Mar Cocina Peruana Events, Pier 1 ½, The Embarcadero, San Francisco:
- Dance class with Oakland’s Cunamacué, an Oakland-based Peruvian dance studio. 12-1 p.m. Sept. 19. Tickets: $19 per person.
- Latino spirits and cocktails workshop led by La Mar’s beverage director, Uriel Serrano. 3-4 p.m. Oct. 3. Tickets: $49 per person.
- Entre Amigos waterfront fiesta in partnership with Teleferic, Pacifico and Xica featuring signature dishes, live music, dancing and cocktails. 12-3 p.m., Oct. 11. Tickets: $106.80-$130.80 per person.
- Banda & Pilates, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 4, San Leandro Marina, 14001 Monarch Bay Dr., San Leandro. This event will feature a live banda, a 60-minute guided Pilates class, wellness information, vendors, complimentary tacos, community building and a goodie bag. Pink attire requested. Tickets: $39.19-$65.87.
- Portal Artesanal Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 12 p.m., Oct. 11, 3091 N Main St., Walnut Creek. Celebrate this boutique with live performances, Mexican traditions, food and party favors. Admission is free.
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¡Hasta pronto!
Blanca Torres