Mexican Independence Day: How to Celebrate 15 September

On 15 September, Mexico celebrates the start of its independence with the famous "Grito" (the Cry). It's the most festive night of the Mexican calendar — the equivalent of New Year's Eve but with tequila, pozole and "¡Viva México!". For Mexicans in the US, it's a night of nostalgia, pride and plenty of celebration.

What Is Being Celebrated

On the night of 15 September 1810, the priest Miguel Hidalgo called the people to rise up against Spanish rule from the balcony of his parish church in Dolores, Guanajuato. It's the start of the Mexican war of independence, which would not be completed until 1821.

Important fact: Independence Day is 16 September, but the big party is the NIGHT of the 15th. That's when the Grito is given.

The Grito

At 11 o'clock on the night of the 15th, the President of Mexico (and each governor in their state) comes out onto the balcony of the National Palace and repeats the "Cry of Independence":

"Mexicans! Long live independence! Long live the heroes who gave us our homeland! Long live Hidalgo! Long live Morelos! Long live Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez! Long live Allende! Viva México! Viva México! Viva México!"

After the cry, the flag is waved and fireworks go off. Millions of people watch it on television and repeat the cry from their homes, parties and squares. It's a moment of collective emotion that gives you goosebumps even from afar.

The Food of 15 September

The night of the Grito has its compulsory dishes. It's abundant, festive food for sharing:

Pozole

It's THE dish of the patriotic festivities. A generous broth of cacahuazintle corn with pork (or chicken), served with lettuce, radish, oregano, lime, tostadas and chile. There's red pozole (with guajillo/ancho chile), green (with pumpkin seeds and poblano) and white (no chile, just the pure broth).

In the US: pozole corn (cacahuazintle) is found canned in Latin shops (£3-4). The pork in any supermarket. It's a dish made in a big pot that serves many people.

Chiles en Nogada

A poblano chile stuffed with picadillo (meat with fruit: apple, pear, peach), bathed in a white walnut sauce (nogada) and decorated with pomegranate and parsley. The colors represent the flag: green (chile), white (nogada), red (pomegranate). It's the patriotic dish par excellence.

In the US: it's an elaborate but achievable recipe. Substitute the poblano with a large Romano-style green pepper. The nogada is made with shelled walnuts + cream cheese + milk. Pomegranate is easily found in autumn.

Snacks and Nibbles

• Tinga tostadas: a crisp base with shredded chicken in chipotle.
• Sopes: thick tortillas with pinched edges, beans, meat, sour cream and salsa.
• Corn and esquites: corn with mayo, chile and lime.
• Taquiza: a taquiza is always a good idea for a big group.

Drinks

• Tequila: compulsory. Shots (or caballitos) for the Grito.
• Beer: Modelo, Pacífico, or any ice-cold beer.
• Aguas frescas: horchata and hibiscus in jugs.
• Micheladas: beer + lime + salt + hot sauce + Clamato.

Where to Celebrate in the US

London

• Mexican Embassy: organizes official events with the Grito broadcast on screen.
• Mexican restaurants: many hold special parties with live music, patriotic decoration and festive menus.
• Mexican associations: the community organizes parties in hired venues. Search Facebook for "Mexicanos en Londres" weeks beforehand.

Manchester

• Mexican Consulate events: cultural events and the Grito.
• Mexican restaurants: themed parties.
• City center: sometimes open-air events are organized.

Other Cities

Bristol, Edinburgh and other cities with a Mexican community also celebrate. Search social media or ask at local Mexican restaurants.

Celebrating at Home

If you'd rather throw your own 15 September party:

Preparation

1. Food: pozole (make it the day before, it improves resting) + tinga tostadas + corn/esquites.
2. Drinks: tequila + beers + horchata and hibiscus water.
3. Decoration: the Mexican flag (green, white, red), papel picado, sombreros (optional and a bit clichéd but fun).
4. Music: varied Mexican music — ranchera, cumbia, mariachi, banda. A "Fiestas Patrias" playlist on Spotify.

The Moment of the Grito (11pm Mexico time = 5am or 6am US time)

The live broadcast of the Grito from Mexico is at 11pm Mexico City time, which is 5am or 6am in the US (depending on the time of year). If you don't want to stay up that late, do your own Grito at midnight US time with your guests. Someone comes out onto the "balcony" (or stands on a chair) and shouts the "¡Vivas!". Everyone responds. Tequila. A hug. It's moving even far from Mexico.

Facts to Impress

• The bell that Hidalgo rang is kept in the National Palace and the president rings it every 15 September.
• The patriotic festivities last from 1 to 30 September — the whole month is decorated in green, white and red.
• In Mexico City, the military parade on 16 September is imposing, with aircraft, tanks and contingents from every branch.
• The average Mexican family's spending on the patriotic festivities rivals that of Christmas.

The patriotic festivities are the heart of Mexican pride. Celebrating them in the US keeps that connection with Mexico alive and shares one of the most vibrant traditions in the world with American friends. ¡Viva México!

Detailed Recipes for the Night of the Grito

If you want to put on a complete patriotic dinner, here's the plan we've used in our own celebrations. The secret is to prepare everything in advance, because the night of the 15th is for enjoying yourself, not being shut away in the kitchen.

Pozole rojo is the undisputed king of the night. Make it on the 14th: cook the corn and meat in the afternoon, let it rest overnight in the fridge, and on the 15th you just need to reheat. We've tried this technique many times and the pozole always tastes better the next day, when the flavors of the guajillo and ancho chiles have fully integrated into the broth.

To find pozole corn in the US, your best bet is the Latin shops. They have cans of cacahuazintle corn imported from Mexico for £3-4 a can, which serves 8-10 people. If you can't find pozole corn, some Mexican cooks use large chickpeas as an emergency alternative — it isn't the same, but it works in a pinch.

Budget for a 15 September Party in the US

In our experience organizing patriotic parties for groups of 10-15 people, this is a realistic budget:

• Pozole for 12 people: pozole corn (2 cans, £7) + pork (1.5kg, £8-10) + dried chiles (£3 in a Latin shop) + toppings (lettuce, radishes, oregano, lime, tostadas: £6). Total: ~£25
• Tinga tostadas (12 people): chicken breast (1kg, £7) + chipotles in adobo (£2.50 in a Latin shop) + tostadas (2 packs, £5) + toppings: ~£16
• Drinks: Jose Cuervo tequila (£15) + a pack of beers (£10) + ingredients for aguas frescas (£5). Total: ~£30
• Decoration: papel picado and Mexican bunting (£5-8 on Amazon or Latin shops) + green/white/red balloons (£3)

Approximate total: £80-85 for 12 people, which works out at around £7 per person for a whole night of partying with abundant food, drink and decoration. Compared with going to a party at a restaurant (£30-50/person), it's a bargain.

How to Explain the Patriotic Festivities to American Friends

If you invite American friends to your celebration, prepare a little explanation of the context. Many people don't know the details of Mexican independence and may feel awkward if they don't understand the historical background. In our experience, the best thing is to focus on the festive, cultural aspect: explain that the Grito is like the New Year's Eve chimes but in September, that pozole is the dish equivalent to a Christmas roast, and that the night is a celebration of identity and pride — not an anti-Spanish date.

In fact, the patriotic festivities are a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange. We've seen American friends get emotional with the Grito, sing rancheras and devour the pozole with more enthusiasm than some Mexicans. Mexican food has a unique power to create connections between people of any background.

Other Mexican Dates to Celebrate in the US

If you enjoy 15 September, there are other dates in the Mexican calendar that deserve a celebration:

• Day of the Dead (1-2 November): the most internationally known tradition. An altar with photos, marigolds, pan de muerto and sugar skulls. More and more American cities organize Day of the Dead events.
• Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (12 December): Mass and celebration with tamales and atole. Churches with a Mexican community usually organize something.
• Candlemas (2 February): whoever found the figurine in the Rosca de Reyes pays for the tamales. The perfect excuse for a tamale party among friends.
• 5 May (Cinco de Mayo): curiously, it's celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico, but it's another opportunity for a Mexican party.

Keeping these traditions alive in the US is more than nostalgia — it's a way of educating the new generations growing up far from Mexico and of sharing Mexican cultural richness with American society. Find inspiration for each celebration in our authentic recipes and discover the best Mexican restaurants where you can celebrate if you'd rather leave it to the experts.