Hispanic Heritage Month: Colombian dance ideas for schools and workplaces

In the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15. It starts mid-month because September 15 is the independence anniversary of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and Mexico (September 16) and Chile (September 18) celebrate the same week. It began as a week in 1968 and became a full month in 1988.

For a school, a library, a city office or a company, it is the perfect reason to bring in something live that people can see and feel. Colombian folk dance fits right in.

Five ideas that work

1. A show at the assembly or the lunch event. A few minutes of spinning polleras and the flag held high changes the mood of any room. It works in a school gym as well as an office lobby.

2. A workshop where the audience dances. Watching is fun; learning a few steps is what people remember. See our cultural workshops.

3. Explain the costumes. Kids ask about the sombrero vueltiao and why the skirt is so big. Our costume guide works as classroom material.

4. A crafts table. Woven and hand-painted pieces people can look at up close. Ask about our crafts.

5. Keep it going past October. July 20 is Colombia’s Independence Day, and Colombian culture is worth celebrating any time of year.

Checklist for the organizer

• The date, plus a backup date
• The space: size, type of floor, indoors or outdoors
• Sound: who runs it, and whether there is a microphone
• The audience: how many people and what ages
• The time block you have on the schedule
• Any vendor paperwork your school or company requires, so we can sort it out from the start

A Houston note

In September 2026, the City of Houston Controller’s Office gave ColombiArte a certificate of recognition for enriching the city through culture, music and dance. We love bringing that same energy to schools and offices.

Next year’s Hispanic Heritage Month starts September 15, 2027. If you are already thinking about it, write to us or book a 15-minute call.