The Mexican Independence Day festival El Grito is returning to Grant Park this fall after last year’s celebration was put on hiatus due to immigration enforcement concerns, organizers announced.
The festival will take place in Grant Park on Sept. 12 and 13 this year. Like many gatherings of immigrant or international communities, last year’s festivities were canceled as federal immigration agents detained people by the thousands during Operation Midway Blitz, leaving many immigrants on edge and afraid to leave their homes.
“We started El Grito Chicago because we believed our community deserved a space to celebrate who we are — proudly. Pausing in 2025 was painful, but it was an act of love,” organizer Korina Sanchez said in the release. “Returning in 2026 is too. We cannot wait to stand in Grant Park with nuestra gente once again.”
The festival includes live performances, food vendors and cultural programming.
El Grito, often known as the Cry of Dolores, is a reference to a speech by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla urging people to fight for Mexico’s independence.
“El Grito de Independencia is not only a historic rallying cry — it is a living tradition that reminds us of who we are and the strength we draw from our shared heritage,” said Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago.
Tickets with early bird pricing are available at elgritochicago.com.