Where to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in San Diego County this September
San Diegans can hear El Grito, catch live performances and join fiestas across San Diego County this September.
Written by Emma Chen, Edited by Kate Morrissey
Sept. 16 is Día de la Independencia, or Mexican Independence Day, a holiday that commemorates the uprising that began Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain in 1810.
The movement began after Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued the “Grito de Dolores” or Cry of Dolores, a call that helped spark a broader revolt against centuries of Spanish colonial rule.
Today, communities across Mexico and the United States celebrate the holiday with gritos, fiestas patrias, live music, folklórico and other cultural traditions.
Communities across San Diego County will host celebrations throughout September with events ranging from community festivals and cultural performances to official El Grito ceremonies.
Sept. 12
CAFETÓN: Coffee & Latin Beats: CAFETÓN is celebrating Mexican Independence weekend with coffee, reggaetón, DJs and dancing at Mavericks Beach Club. The event is for guests 21 and older.
⏰ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
🌎 Mavericks Beach Club, 860 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Mexican Independence Day Celebration: The Old Globe is hosting a free celebration featuring mariachi and other live music, folklórico and charro dance performances, arts and crafts, food and lotería. Mexican Consul General Alicia Kerber will lead El Grito, followed by the Mexican national anthem.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
🌎 The Old Globe Copley Plaza, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Free
Sept. 12
Fiestas Patrias: USA Multicultural is hosting a family-friendly Mexican Independence Day celebration from Sept. 12 through 13 with banda, folklórico, food, a beer garden, kids zone and El Grito at Grape Day Park.
⏰ 5 - 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
🌎 Grape Day Park, Escondido
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Sept. 13
Las Fiestas Patrias Latinas: Mission San Luis Rey Parish is celebrating the cultures and independence traditions of several Latin American countries with live music, folk dancing and authentic food.
⏰ 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
🌎 Mission San Luis Rey Parish, 4070 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92057
STUNT Hispanic Heritage – Mexican Independence Day: Rich’s San Diego is hosting a Mexican Independence Day edition of its STUNT dance party with queer pop, vogue and pop music from DJ K-Swift and Hip Hop from DJ PurFlo.
⏰ 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
🌎 Rich’s San Diego, 1051 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
🎟️ No cover before 10 p.m.
El Grito: The city of Chula Vista is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with live entertainment, cultural performances, food and an official El Grito ceremony led by the Mexican Consulate’s office at 7 p.m.
⏰ 4 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Memorial Park, 373 Park Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910
🎟️ Free
Vista’s Fiestas Patrias: The Vista Chamber of Commerce is hosting its third annual Fiestas Patrias with live music, dance, food and activities celebrating Latino traditions. A representative from the Mexican Consulate will participate in the Grito de Independencia ceremony at 1 p.m.
⏰ Noon - 4 p.m.
🌎 Linda Rhoades Recreation Center, 600 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084
🎟️ Free
Barrio Logan Cultura Fest: Por Vida Cafe and The Movement Brand are celebrating Mexican Independence Day in Barrio Logan with local businesses and vendors, art, children’s crafts and a self-guided art walk along Logan Avenue. More than 50 storefronts, vendors and restaurants are participating, according to the organizers.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
🌎 2146 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Oceanside Noche Mexicana: Oceanside is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with live music, baile folklórico, the Por Siempre Car Show, food, shopping and activities for children.
⏰ 1 - 7 p.m.
🌎 Oceanside Civic Center, 602 Civic Center Drive, Oceanside, CA
Sept. 15
El Grito: Banda La Reina: Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts is hosting a Mexican Independence Day celebration featuring the traditional Grito de Independencia, Mexican flag salute and national anthem, along with performances from Banda La Reina de SD, Los Cadetes de Santiago Avilez and LuMaya.
⏰ 7 - 9 p.m.
🌎 California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
🎟️ Free
Sept. 16
Old Town San Diego Fiestas Patrias: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with traditional crafts, living-history demonstrations and activities highlighting the shared cultural history of Mexico and California.
⏰ All day
🌎 Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego
Sept. 26
5th Annual Celebración Mexicana: Ballet Folklorico San Diego Dance Company is showcasing traditional dances and clothing from regions across Mexico accompanied by Mariachi Fuente. Mexican snacks, candy, pan dulce and artesanías will be available for purchase after the performance.
⏰ 6 - 9 p.m.
🌎 Shiley Theatre at the University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego, CA 92110
🎟️ Purchase tickets online for $28.52
