Cities Kick Off Mexican Independence Celebrations Today

Lead Communities across Southern California marked the start of Mexican Independence festivities on Saturday, Sept. 13, with the ceremonial “El Grito” in Santa Ana and street fairs launching midday in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.

Nut Graf The early observances-held two days before Mexico’s official Sept. 16 anniversary-deliver cultural pride and community unity, featuring traditional cries for independence, folkloric performances and family-friendly activities that set the tone for a weekend of national celebration.

El Grito Ceremony Ignites Santa Ana Festivities At 7 p.m. in downtown Santa Ana, Mayor Vicente Sarmiento and the city’s Latino heritage committee led the ceremonial “El Grito de Independencia,” reenacting Miguel Hidalgo’s 1810 call for freedom from the festival’s main stage. Thousands gathered at Civic Center Plaza to hear shouts of “¡Viva México!” and watch fireworks illuminate the night sky.

Subhead: Star-Powered Patriotic Concerts

  • Luis Coronel delivered a high-energy regional-Mexican set at 8 p.m.
  • Headliner Roberto Tapia closed the evening with ranchera hits at 9:15 p.m.

Subhead: Street Fair and Carnival Attractions Street vendors lined Fourth Street and French Street from noon through 11 p.m., offering tacos, tamales, cornhusk treats and artisanal crafts. Carnival rides and cultural exhibits ran alongside a beer garden, with wristbands available for $5 to support local nonprofits.

Chicago’s Little Village Opens Weekend of Parades Chicago’s “Mexico of the Midwest” launched its Fiestas Patrias today with pop-up food stalls and folkloric dance showcases along 26th Street. The neighborhood’s annual parade, drawing over 400,000 spectators, will march on Sunday beginning at noon from Albany Avenue to Kostner Avenue under this year’s theme, “Pride and Power: Our Strength, Our Legacy.”

Bullet Points for Readers

  • Free live mariachi performances and community art installations are open all weekend.
  • Street closures: 26th Street between Albany and Kostner from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
  • Public transit recommended: CTA Pink Line and bus routes 52, 53, 60, 82 and 94.

Looking Ahead On Monday, Sept. 15, Mexico City’s historic Zócalo will host the nation’s official presidential “Grito” at midnight, followed by a grand fireworks display and free concerts. The Mexican armed forces’ national parade steps off on Tuesday morning along Paseo de la Reforma, concluding Mexico’s annual independence observances.