Hispanic Heritage

Texas communities blend Mexican customs, Spanish language, and American innovation, creating a unique bicultural experience. Generations have contributed to festivals, literature, and public leadership that reflect both proud ancestry and contemporary aspirations. Experience the vibrancy and depth of Hispanic culture firsthand—discover stories, join events, and connect with a community that is shaping Texas today. Your journey into Hispanic Texas starts here!

Pictured: Dancers performing ballet folklorico, traditional Mexican folk dance with ballet elements.

Credit: Contributed photo

Si Se Puede!

Hispanics were among the original Texans, including prominent leaders such as José Antonio Navarro and Juan Seguín, and we are a better nation for their contributions. Our Hispanic heritage is a fluid one, growing in size and influence and adapting alongside the rest of Texas to a much larger and more culturally varied world. We in Texas take pride in our distinct cultures, illustrating to the rest of the nation the importance of embracing many voices. We also love to flaunt the fact that our Fiesta season is absolutely the best month-long party in the country.

About Hispanic Cultures in Texas

The Hispanic Influence

Texans today are fortunate to live in a place where two cultures meet. We are the recipients of lively Hispanic heritage that has given us vibrant celebrations, delicious cuisine, nationally recognized entertainers, and influential politicians that help define and elevate our state's profile on the world stage.

Watch more videos about Hispanics in Texas

From the Blog

Hill Country Trail Region

Our Top 10 Under-the-Radar Hispanic Heritage Sites

Hispanic history in Texas features more than just missions and murals (although who can resist the picturesque ruins of a…

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Tropical Trail Region

Hebbronville’s Roots in Hispanic Institutions

An unassuming daycare center in modern-day Hebbronville dates back to 1897, when it was established as a bilingual school for…

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Hill Country Trail Region

Emma Tenayuca: Latino Civil Rights in San Antonio’s Historic Barrio Laredito

With her passionate speeches at protests during the 1930s, Emma Tenayuca initiated a shift in labor relations between pecan shelling…

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Hill Country Trail Region

Historic Road Trip: San Antonio

When San Antonio visitors venture beyond the River Walk area, they find a remarkable range of heritage tourism sites in…

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Hill Country Trail Region

7 Hispanic Heritage Sites in San Antonio

Formerly part of Mexico and Spain, Texas has deep Hispanic roots. Much of the food, entertainment, and celebrations Texans enjoy…

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Missions

When you think of missions in Texas you might imagine benevolent brothers in brown robes ringing bells, or spending hours…

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Guides, Tours, y Más

Download the Hispanic Texans: Journey from Empire to Democracy travel guide.

Download Guide

En Español

Descargue la guía, Texas Hispano: Viaje Desde El Imperio Hasta La Democracia (PDF). Toda la información de la guía es español.

Descargue la Guía

Travel along with the Hispanic Texans: Journey from Empire to Democracy mobile tour, featuring images, videos, first-person interviews, maps, and useful visitor information for exploring historic sites across Texas.

Explore the Mobile Tour

Read more about Spanish Texas and Mexican Americans in the Handbook of Texas Online.

Learn More