On September 16, 1810, in a quiet Guanajuato town, a priest named Father Miguel Hidalgo ignited the spark of Mexican independence with “El Grito” or “The Cry of Independence.” Today, we celebrate this heroic proclamation on Mexican Independence Day, a date often confused with Cinco de Mayo. While both are significant, Mexican Independence Day takes the cake when it comes to grand celebrations worldwide. Parades, fireworks, live music, and dancing – it’s a party of epic proportions. Here’s where and how you can join in on the festivities!
Get Ready to Fiesta:
- Eat Pozole: Dive into a bowl of pozole, a hearty soup of hominy and pork topped with crunchy fried corn tortillas.
- Drink Tequila (or Mezcal): Raise a glass of Mexico’s finest spirits to toast to freedom.
- Listen to Mariachi Music: Let the vibrant tunes of Mariachi bands set the mood.
- Wear Mexico’s National Colors: Don the red, white, and green to show your patriotic spirit.
The Mexican Way of Celebrating:
In Mexico, the festivities kick off a day early, on September 15th. Families rush home from work and school for a lavish dinner featuring mouthwatering traditional dishes. Tamales, chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano chiles in Mexico’s flag colors), and, of course, pozole grace the table. After dinner, it’s off to the National Palace to witness the Mexican president ring the bell and recreate “El Grito.” As the call resounds, crowds erupt with shouts of “Viva Mexico!” They take to the streets, Mexican flags in hand, creating a sea of red, white, and green. Lights, balloons, streamers, flowers, and paper lanterns – everything adorns the streets in national colors.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Put on your dancing shoes and join the crowd swaying to live Mariachi beats or watch the pros in traditional garb perform bailes folclóricos, traditional dances.
Celebrate in the U.S.:
Can’t make it to Mexico this year? Fear not, as several U.S. cities go all out for Mexican Independence Day:
- Phoenix, Arizona: Head to the Fiesta Patrias, Arizona’s largest Mexican Independence Day celebration, offering free live music, carnival rides, and mouthwatering food.
- Los Angeles, California: Join the morning parade that rivals Mexico City’s original. Celebrities like Oscar De La Hoya add star power to the nation’s largest Hispanic parade.
- Houston, Texas: Everything’s bigger in Texas, including Mexican Independence Day celebrations. Houston hosts one of the largest El Grito events in the U.S., with traditional dances and live music drawing visitors from across the nation.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: If you crave a star-studded, over-the-top fiesta, Las Vegas is the place to be. Dance the night away as iconic venues host renowned artists like Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin.
So, grab your sombrero, dust off your dancing shoes, and join the festivities as we celebrate Mexican Independence Day, a day filled with history, culture, and unforgettable fun. ¡Viva Mexico!
