Mayor Brandon Johnson, City Officials, and Community Leaders Outline Plans For Chicago's 2026 Mexican Independence Day Celebrations

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson joined City officials and community leaders today to outline plans for a safe, family-friendly weekend of Mexican Independence Day celebrations across Chicago, previewing details of two of the city's largest cultural events: the El Grito Chicago festival in Grant Park on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, and the 55th Annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade on Sunday, September 13.

The announcement was made at a press conference hosted by event organizers Jennifer Aguilar of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and Korina Sanchez of El Grito Chicago, joined by Mayor Brandon Johnson, Interim Superintendent Fred Waller of the Chicago Police Department, and Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil of the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago.

"Chicago is proud to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of our Mexican and Mexican American communities to this city's culture, economy, and identity," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Mexican Independence Day is a time for all of Chicago to come together, celebrate our shared city, and honor the rich traditions that make Chicago so special. From the 26th Street Parade to El Grito in Grant Park, Chicagoans will have the opportunity to celebrate together, celebrate safely, and experience two of the largest Mexican Independence Day celebrations in the entire country."

"As our city honors the rich culture of our Mexican American community our officers will be working to secure the planned celebrations, as well as all of our communities across the city," said Chicago Police Department Interim Superintendent Fred Waller. "We have been preparing alongside our City partners to ensure sufficient resources are in place to keep our residents and visitors safe as they celebrate throughout the next week."

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55TH ANNUAL 26TH STREET MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

The 2026 parade, presented by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, steps off Sunday, September 13, at 12:00 p.m. at the historic Little Village Arch, 26th Street and Albany Avenue, and proceeds down 26th Street to Kostner Avenue. Now in its 55th year, it is one of the largest parades in the Midwest, drawing more than 400,000 residents, visitors, and participants along the two-and-a-half-mile Little Village business corridor with floats, mariachi bands, folkloric dance groups, and equestrian riders.

This year's theme, "United We Ride: Stronger Than Ever" (Unidos Cabalgamos: Más Fuertes que Nunca), celebrates horsemanship, sportsmanship, and the charro and equestrian traditions that connect Chicago's Mexican community to Mexico. Sinaloa-born singer-songwriter Adriel Favela — celebrated as one of the leading voices of the new wave of regional Mexican music, blending norteño and corridos with contemporary pop  — will serve as this year's Grand Marshal.

"For 55 years, the 26th Street Parade has been one of the proudest traditions in Little Village," said Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. "Whether you've marched in this parade for decades or you're joining us for the very first time, there is a place for you on 26th Street."

The Chamber is coordinating closely with the Chicago Police Department, the City of Chicago, and community partners on a comprehensive safety plan for the parade route, including traffic and crowd management. Recognizing community concern this year about immigration enforcement activity, the Chamber is also working with the City, immigrant-rights organizations, and legal partners on know-your-rights resources so families can attend with greater peace of mind. For anyone who prefers not to attend in person, the parade will be broadcast live on media partner Telemundo Chicago.

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EL GRITO CHICAGO

El Grito Chicago, the city's premier Mexican Independence festival, returns to Grant Park for a full weekend on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day. Organized in partnership with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago, the two-day celebration will feature live performances from top regional Mexican and Latin artists, a Mercadito with more than 70 local vendors and artisans, food from Chicago's own Mexican restaurants and food trucks, and family-friendly activities for all ages.

2026 marks the festival's return after a 2025 pause, a decision organizers made out of care for community safety amid a difficult political climate.

"Bringing this festival back is a statement in itself: that our community's traditions endure, and that we will always find a way to come together, safely and proudly," said Korina Sanchez, organizer of El Grito Chicago.

General admission tickets are available to purchase for $20 per day, and VIP "Amigo" tickets are available to purchase for $50 per day; pricing varies by day and rewards advance purchase. Tickets and full festival details are available at elgritochicago.com.

The weekend will also include a free Civic Ceremony honoring the tradition of El Grito de Independencia, beginning after 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13, in Grant Park. The ceremony is free and open to all, and will be streamed live for anyone unable to attend in person.

"This is a moment of healing, unity, and safety for our community," said Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago. "I encourage everyone — regardless of background — to join us for this free celebration honoring El Grito de Independencia."

The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade and El Grito Chicago are two of the largest Mexican Independence Day celebrations in the United States, together drawing hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to Chicago each September. For more information on the 26th Street Parade, visit https://littlevillagechamber.org. El Grito Chicago tickets are available at elgritochicago.com; all attendees must have a ticket. Registration for the free Civic Ceremony will be available online.

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