Free bilingual science in Des Moines, Latino theater in Moline and cultural programs in Macomb and Omaha continue through mid-October.
Updated Oct. 2, 2026.
Hispanic Heritage Month events continue across Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska into October, with bilingual science, Latino theater, music, cultural programs and art still scheduled through the middle of the month.
The next major event is ¡Ciencia para todos!, a free Latino Heritage Month evening at the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines on Saturday, Oct. 3. Other programs still ahead include the final weekend of Real Women Have Curves in Moline, Western Illinois University’s October Latinx Heritage Month series and ArteLatinX programming in the Omaha area.
National Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15. Some regional programs, including ArteLatinX and Western Illinois University’s campus celebration, extend beyond that date.
¡Ciencia para todos! will be free in Des Moines on Oct. 3
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 3 | 5-8 p.m.
Location: Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines
Admission: Free
The Science Center of Iowa will host an evening of bilingual science activities, cultural performances, music, dance, robotics and hands-on programs for families.
Admission to the Science Center will be free during the event. Food from Reyes Tamales, Los Compadres Flaming Tacos and Snackilandia will be available for purchase outside beginning at 5 p.m.
Full programming is available on the Science Center of Iowa event page.
Related: ¡Ciencia para todos! brings free bilingual science night to Des Moines Saturday
Real Women Have Curves continues in Moline through Oct. 4
Dates: Through Sunday, Oct. 4
Location: Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline, IL 61265
Admission: Tickets required
Playcrafters Barn Theatre is presenting Josefina López’s Real Women Have Curves, a PG-13 play centered on five Latina women working in an East Los Angeles sewing factory while navigating family expectations, body image, economic pressure and personal ambitions.
The Moline production features an all-Latina cast. Current performance times and ticket availability are available through the official Playcrafters production page.
Western Illinois University will hold El Jaripeo on Oct. 9
Date: Friday, Oct. 9
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Multicultural Center Lawn, Western Illinois University, Macomb
Western Illinois University’s Casa Latina Cultural Center is marking Latinx Heritage Month throughout October with cultural and educational events.
El Jaripeo on Oct. 9 will feature music, dancing and a mechanical bull on the Multicultural Center lawn.
WIU will host Lotería on Oct. 14 in Macomb
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: University Union Grand Ballroom, Western Illinois University, Macomb
Casa Latina will also hold Lotería, the traditional game played with illustrated cards, on Oct. 14 in collaboration with the University Union Board.
WIU’s Latinx Heritage Month programming continues after National Hispanic Heritage Month ends, with additional events scheduled later in October, including Ritmo Y Ruedas, Kultural Fusion and Día de los Muertos activities.
The current schedule is available through Western Illinois University.
ArteLatinX continues in Omaha through Oct. 16
Exhibition dates: Through Friday, Oct. 16
Location: El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St., Omaha
ArteLatinX 2026, titled Aquí estamos y no nos vamos, marks the program’s 10th anniversary and features Latino artists connected to the Great Plains region.
The exhibition is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A floral workshop scheduled for Oct. 8 in Bellevue is currently sold out. Another free program remains scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., when ArteLatinX will hold a talk and tour at Clover 24, 2200 S. 24th St. in Omaha.
The exhibition and current event schedule are available through the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s ArteLatinX page.
Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The remaining regional calendar now stretches from the free Oct. 3 science event in Des Moines through cultural and arts programming scheduled around the middle of October.
Some organizations use longer local calendars. ArteLatinX remains on view through Oct. 16, while Western Illinois University’s Latinx Heritage Month programming continues through the end of October.
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