By: Ashmar Mandou
City officials and community leaders outlined plans for Chicago residents to have a safe and family-friendly weekend of Mexican Independence Day celebrations across Chicago. This weekend marks the largest cultural events from El Grito Chicago Festival in Grant Park on Saturday, Sept. 12th, and Sunday, Sept. 13th, and the 55th Annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade on Sunday, Sept. 13th.
The safety guidelines were shared during a press conference Tuesday 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.
“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.”
The 2026 parade, presented by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, steps off Sunday, September 13, at 12p.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.
“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.” This year’s theme, “United We Ride: Stronger Than Ever” (Unidos Cabalgamos: Más Fuertes que Nunca).
El Grito marks its return after a 2025 pause due to community safety amid political climate and the rise of federal immigration enforcement crackdowns. “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. 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.
Tickets and full festival details are available at elgritochicago.com. For additional information about the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade, visit https://littlevillagechamber.org.
Photo Credit: Little Village Chamber of Commerce
