September 2025 in Mexico: Regional and Cultural Highlights

• Mexican Independence Day (Día de la Independencia): The headline festivities fall on September 15 and 16.
• El Grito de la Independencia (The Cry of Independence): On the night of September 15, crowds gather in town squares across the country. The most emblematic ceremony is in Mexico City’s Zócalo, where the President, or the mayor in other cities, reenacts Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s 1810 call to arms, leading to thunderous shouts of “¡Viva México!” followed by fireworks and citywide celebrations.
• September 16th: A federal public holiday marked by civic ceremonies and grand military parades, the largest in Mexico City. Banks, schools, government offices, and many businesses close. Families celebrate with fireworks, parties (fiestas), traditional dishes, dance, and music, especially mariachi. Classic seasonal foods such as chile en nogada and pozole are widely enjoyed.
• Anniversary of the Boy Heroes (Día de los Niños Héroes): On September 13, the nation honors six teenage cadets who defended Chapultepec Castle in 1847, commemorating their courage and sacrifice.

Regional Highlights and Festivals:

Beyond Independence Day, many destinations host distinctive events throughout September:

Zacatecas: This UNESCO-recognized colonial city typically stages its National Fair (Feria Nacional Zacatecas) for around three weeks in September, often from about the 5th to the 23rd. Expect concerts, mechanical rides, livestock shows, theater, traditional charrería rodeo, sports, and abundant regional cuisine. Dates can vary, so always confirm locally.

San Miguel de Allende: The annual Fiesta de San Miguel honors the patron Saint Michael the Archangel. Although the feast day is September 29, celebrations usually occur on the closest weekend. Events, sometimes called “La Alborada,” feature parades, traditional dances, concerts, and fireworks illuminating the historic center.

Mexico City: The capital offers a packed calendar of recurring September happenings.

• Pulque and Mezcal Gastronomic Festival: Commonly held in the first week of September, with tastings of traditional dishes, dozens of pulques, and a large range of mezcals.
• Medieval Roast Festival: A yearly gathering of chefs and grill specialists, plus Mexican snacks and desserts.
• Plant Fest: A periodic bazaar spotlighting national floriculture, often showcasing more than 400 plant varieties.
• Other Events: Examples include free Zócalo concerts, such as Latin American rock icon Fito Páez on September 7, Lucha Libre Élite shows at Parque Aztlán on September 7 and 8, a Chiles en Nogada Festival from August 16 to September 30 in the Historic Center, the Festival del Terror at Six Flags, the FM/AM Music Fair from September 19 to 22, and Expo Café from September 5 to 7 at the World Trade Center. The 28th French Film Tour often arrives in the city during this period.

Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato: Known as the “Cradle of Mexican Independence,” the town commemorates Hidalgo’s cry with a civic parade and local festivities.

Puebla: The San Pedro Cholula Fair typically runs from late August into mid-September, featuring regional dishes and artisan crafts. The Huey Atlixcáyotl Festival is another landmark celebration of indigenous traditions.

Guadalajara, Jalisco: The International Mariachi and Charrería Festival (Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charrería) usually takes place in late August or September, showcasing the city’s mariachi heritage with performers from around the world.

Chichen Itza, Yucatán Peninsula: The Autumn Equinox Festival marks summer’s end. At sunset, the Pyramid of Kukulcán casts a striking shadow that resembles a serpent descending the steps.

Nuevo León: The Santa Lucía International Festival, the state’s largest cultural event, typically begins in mid-September.

International Festival of Mexican Short Films: The 16th edition of this major shorts festival runs throughout September across Mexico City’s 16 boroughs.

Across the country, September carries a powerful sense of national identity, with colorful decorations, traditional music and dance, and community gatherings that celebrate Mexico’s culture, history, and enduring symbols.