Kicking off National Hispanic Heritage Month, Festival Del Sol — Boulder’s bilingual celebration of Latino culture and community — is making a bright return to Chautauqua Park in Boulder on Sunday, the first day of fall.

And for the first time, the festival will live up to its name by moving entirely outdoors.

After three years of holding the event inside Chautauqua Auditorium, festival organizers decided it was time to embrace the meaning of the festival’s name and let the music and festivities shine out in the open. While Chautauqua Auditorium is a gorgeous, world-class venue with acoustics that would make any music lover swoon, there’s just one problem: It’s covered by a ceiling, blocking out the most important ingredient of Festival Del Sol — the actual sun.

Now that minor detail is fixed.

“The biggest upgrade we have this year is that we’re doing an outdoor stage,” said Scott Bauer, event coordinator and planner for the festival. “This time of year, everyone just wants to be outside.”

Who could blame them? Chautauqua Park, with its breathtaking views of the Flatirons and rolling sunflower-dotted meadows, is an ideal backdrop for a festival that celebrates the vibrant Latino culture of Colorado. Now, guests can wander between food trucks, art vendors and live performances, all while soaking up the beautiful September weather.

This year’s music lineup is as diverse and energetic as ever. There will be performances by neo-soul group Ojo De Luna, Latin ska band Roka Hueka, Chicano hip-hop outfit Pink Hawks and tropical dance DJ duo Siembra Soundsystem — all based out of Denver — and the student-run mariachi band Mariachi de Rio St. Vrain.

With four hours of outdoor music, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the first official day of fall while being sonically serenaded by some of Colorado’s best diverse musical acts.

Music isn’t the only thing on the agenda. Festival Del Sol is bringing back its wildly popular dance lessons, with an even bigger offering this year. Salsa and bachata lessons will be taught by Denver-based dance pro with Latin roots, Colby Ariane, while Samba Colorado will lead high-energy samba classes throughout the day.

“Last year was the first time we did dance lessons, and it was a huge hit,” Bauer said. “We weren’t sure how it was going to go, but it was packed all day, and we got such great feedback. This year we’ve doubled the instructors, and I think dance is going to be a huge part of the festival for years to come.”

For those wishing to take in the natural beauty of Chautauqua Park, Latino Outdoors Colorado will be leading a bilingual hike up to the Royal Arch.

“The trails here are world-class,” Bauer said. “These guided hikes are an important way to make sure everyone feels welcome and included in the outdoor experience.”

Bauer also said that this year’s festival will feature more vendors than ever before. Attendees will have even more opportunities to shop local, with artisans like Sole by La and Mi Casa Azul offering handmade goods, while food trucks like Pupusas Familia, McDevitt Taco Supply and De Los Andes Empanadas will keep the crowd well-fed.

“We really wanted to create something that celebrates and honors the Latino community and culture,” Bauer said. “This community is such an important part of Boulder, Denver and the Front Range, but sometimes it feels underserved and underrepresented. Festival Del Sol is our way of filling that gap with something fun, sustainable and here to stay.”

For more information on Festival Del Sol, visit chautauqua.com.