The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in New Mexico is set to host a harvest-themed Noche de Familia event, according to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The event, which will take place on October 20th at 4:00 p.m., will feature a variety of family-friendly activities such as leaf printing, a StoryWalk, crafting bat puppets, and participating in carnival games. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet NHCC's new jaguar mascot. The evening will culminate with a free screening of the family film "Nocturna" at 7:00 p.m.
The NHCC's Espooky Mercado, which will be open throughout the evening, will feature locally crafted seasonal gifts. The Department of Cultural Affairs warns that the night will grow spookier as the hour gets later.
"Our Halloween festivities truly offer something for all ages," said NHCC Executive Director Zack Quintero. "This evening will be family-friendly until 8:30, but will become ‘más espooky’ after that. And our Espooky Mercado ensures that visitors of all ages will have access to something spooky and fun."
In addition to the family-friendly activities, the NHCC will also host horror movie double-features in the Roy E. Disney Performing Arts Center. The films include classic horror movies such as "Dracula" (1931) and "Dusk til Dawn" (1996), as well as BirdBoy: The Forgotten World (2015) and Rec (2005). The horror movies are sponsored by Bank of America.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities. It offers exhibitions, lectures, performing arts, and educational programs tailored to the local community. The center serves as a platform for Hispanic, Chicano, and Latinx artists to showcase their work nationally and provides a cultural haven for the various identities that contribute to the community. The National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation supports the exhibitions and programs at the center.