El Grito in Mexico City's Zócalo: What It Is, When It Happens and How to Go
The story of the Cry of Dolores, what happens on the night of September 15 in the Zócalo, the September 16 military parade and everything you need to attend on foot from Hotel Catedral.
Hotel Catedral
El Grito de Independencia ("the Cry of Independence") is the ceremony in which Mexico recalls Miguel Hidalgo's call to rise up against Spanish colonial rule in the early hours of September 16, 1810. Every September 15 at 11 pm, the President of Mexico repeats it from the central balcony of the Palacio Nacional, facing the Zócalo, before tens of thousands of people. Hotel Catedral is at Guatemala 16, right behind the Metropolitan Cathedral, a 2-minute walk from the square.
Quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is celebrated? | The start of Mexico's War of Independence (1810). |
| When is El Grito? | Every September 15, at around 11 pm. Next one: Wednesday, September 15, 2027. |
| Where? | The central balcony of the Palacio Nacional, facing the Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución). |
| How much does it cost? | Free, no ticket, first come first served, with security checks. |
| And September 16? | Mexican Independence Day: a national holiday, with a military parade from the Zócalo starting at 10 am. |
| From Hotel Catedral | Zócalo 2 min and Palacio Nacional 5 min on foot. |
What is El Grito? A short history
El Grito recalls the early morning of September 16, 1810, when the priest Miguel Hidalgo called on the people of Dolores, Guanajuato, to rebel against the colonial government. According to the traditional account, Hidalgo, with Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama, rang the bell of the parish church of Nuestra Señora de Dolores to gather the townspeople. There is no verbatim record of his exact words, so today's cry is a tradition each president adapts.
- 1810: the War of Independence begins in Dolores (today Dolores Hidalgo).
- 1821: on September 27 the Army of the Three Guarantees enters Mexico City and independence is achieved.
- 19th century: the custom takes hold of celebrating with the Grito on the night of the 15th and a parade the next day.
- 1896: by decree of Porfirio Díaz, the Dolores bell is moved to the Palacio Nacional, where it hangs above the central balcony.
You will often hear that the Grito is held on the 15th because it was Porfirio Díaz's birthday; historians consider this a myth, since the night-time celebration predates his government.
What happens on the night of September 15 in the Zócalo
On the night of the 15th the Zócalo fills up with music from the afternoon, and at 11 pm the president steps onto the Palacio Nacional balcony to give the Grito. The usual order is:
- Afternoon and evening: pedestrian access opens and there are free concerts on a stage in the square. In 2026 access opened at 7 pm and the music started at 8 pm.
- At 11 pm: the president receives the flag, steps onto the balcony and names the heroes of independence. The crowd answers "¡Viva!" to each name.
- The finale: three cries of "¡Viva México!", the ringing of the Dolores bell and the waving of the flag.
- Afterwards: fireworks over the Zócalo and the Cathedral, and the party carries on in the streets of the Centro.
The same ceremony takes place in main squares across the country and at Mexican embassies abroad. If you can't get into the square, the Grito is broadcast on free-to-air TV and on the Mexican government's official channels.
The September 16 military parade
September 16, Mexican Independence Day, is a national holiday, and in the morning a military parade sets off from the Zócalo. In 2026 it started at 10 am, lasted about three to four hours and ran along 5 de Mayo and Paseo de la Reforma to Campo Marte. Road closures start early, from around 7:30 am. From the hotel, 5 de Mayo street is a few minutes' walk.
How to attend El Grito in the Zócalo
You don't need a ticket to enter the Zócalo on September 15: arrive early, go through the security checkpoints and carry only the essentials. Once the square is full, the authorities may close the entrances.
Access and transport
- Metro: Zócalo/Tenochtitlan station (Line 2) usually closes that night. Use Allende (Line 2), Pino Suárez (Lines 1 and 2) or Bellas Artes (Lines 2 and 8). In 2026 several lines extended service until 1 am.
- By car: there are road closures all around the perimeter. Avoid driving into the Centro that night.
- On foot: the easiest option. From Hotel Catedral you are there in 2 minutes and back without looking for a ride.
What is not allowed
In 2026 the following were banned: large backpacks and luggage, sharp objects, glass bottles and cans, alcoholic drinks, fireworks, umbrellas with metal tips and laser pointers. Rules can change each year, so check the official notices from the federal and Mexico City governments.
What to bring
- A small bag or fanny pack, with cash in your front pockets.
- A plastic rain poncho: September is rainy season.
- Flat, comfortable shoes and a light jacket.
- ID and a fully charged phone.
Safety tips
- Agree on a meeting point outside the square: the mobile network often gets overloaded.
- With children or older relatives, avoid the most crowded areas and give them a card with their name and a contact number.
- When you enter, locate the Civil Protection stations and the exits.
- For more advice, read our guide on safety in the Historic Center.
What to eat during the patriotic holidays
The classic dishes of September 15 are pozole, chiles en nogada, tamales, tostadas and street snacks (antojitos). Pozole, a hominy soup with meat, comes red, white or green, topped with lettuce, radish and oregano and served with tostadas. Chiles en nogada, poblano peppers stuffed with a meat-and-fruit picadillo, covered in walnut sauce and topped with pomegranate and parsley, wear the colors of the flag; tradition says they were created in Puebla in 1821. They are made mostly from August to September, the season for pomegranates and fresh walnuts.
For ideas, see our Mexico City food guide and where to eat in the Historic Center.
Tips for enjoying El Grito
- Book your hotel weeks ahead: occupancy in the Historic Center rises sharply on September 15 and 16.
- Get to the square hours early if you want a spot near the Palacio Nacional.
- Eat before you go in. Food inside the square is limited, and leaving and getting back in can be very difficult.
- Soak up the atmosphere: the hotel's Terraza Bar overlooks the Cathedral, for a toast before or after.
- Combine your trip with other events in the square: see our Zócalo events guide and the 2026–2027 events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is El Grito?
El Grito is given every September 15 at around 11 pm from the balcony of the Palacio Nacional. The next one is on Wednesday, September 15, 2027.
What is celebrated on September 15?
The night of the 15th recalls the Cry of Dolores, Miguel Hidalgo's call that began the War of Independence in the early hours of September 16, 1810.
When is Mexican Independence Day?
Mexican Independence Day is September 16. It is a national holiday, celebrated with a military parade in Mexico City. (It is not May 5: Cinco de Mayo marks the 1862 Battle of Puebla.)
Is it safe to go to El Grito with children?
Many families go, but the crowds are huge. Avoid the busiest areas near the stage, agree on a meeting point and give children a card with their name and a phone number.
Where to stay for El Grito
To walk to the Zócalo and be back in your room within minutes, stay at Hotel Catedral, 2 minutes from the square and 5 from the Palacio Nacional. See our hotel for Mexican Independence Day in the Zócalo, browse the rooms and book direct for the best rate and free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival.
