Crowds fill the Zócalo under the giant Mexican flag for the Grito de Independencia

Mexico’s Cry of Independence 2026: Thousands Arrive at Mexico City’s Zócalo

ByEmir Olivares Alonso and Kevin Ruiz

This article by Emir Olivares Alonso and Kevin Ruiz originally appeared in the September 15, 2026 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left-wing daily newspaper.

Mexico City. Just over 100,000 people have gathered on the esplanade of the capital’s Zócalo ahead of the celebrations for the 216th anniversary of the start of Mexico’s Independence, which will be led by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

Since Tuesday afternoon, thousands of people began taking their places in front of the National Palace, where at 11:00 p.m. the President of the Republic will appear on the central balcony to deliver the patriotic cheers. Some attendees are dressed in the national colors, with sombreros, sarapes, and the now-traditional can of foam spray, used to douse others, whether acquaintances or not. In addition, the mariachis of the Navy and National Defense ministries take turns delighting those present with vernacular music.

Revelers in front of the National Palace lit in tricolor
Photo: Yazmín Ortega

Other attendees are already positioned in front of the stage, where the band Intocable is expected to perform free of charge as part of the festivities. As the night has progressed, the flow of people has increased in the Plaza de la Constitución and its surrounding streets, awaiting the Cry of Independence ceremony.

Photo: Yazmín Ortega

For its part, the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) deployed an operation around the perimeter of the capital’s Zócalo, where officers check attendees and remove prohibited objects.

At 11:00 p.m., President Claudia Sheinbaum will appear on the central balcony of the National Palace to lead the ceremony for the 216th anniversary of the start of Mexico’s Independence.

Crowd gathered at the Zócalo at night
Photo: Cristina Rodríguez