El Grito, a festival in Grant Park celebrating Mexican Independence Day, commemorates the cry for freedom first proclaimed by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on the night of Sept. 15, 1810. Known as the 'Grito de Dolores,' it ignited the Mexican War of Independence. Every year on the night of Sept. 15, Mexicans across the globe gather to remember that cry.
Chicago had hosted official El Grito celebrations for years, but they came to an end about a decade ago. In the years since, the holiday was often marked by car caravans of hundreds of people gathering downtown with Mexican flags and driving through streets, causing closures and gridlock.
In 2024, the festival returned to Grant Park, drawing about 24,000 people over two days with no festival-related incidents.
In September 2025, the festival was scheduled for Sept. 13-14 but was called off due to the threat of a large immigration enforcement operation. Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned that federal agents would be deployed and said the timing was tied to Mexican Independence Day festivities. Organizer German Gonzalez said in a statement: 'This was a painful decision; however, with the heightened political tensions and given our location in downtown Chicago, we need to keep our community safe. To proceed in spite of the advice we've received directly from city and state officials and potentially expose our community to becoming collateral damage would be irresponsible. That's a risk we are not willing to take.' The festival's website issued refunds for all tickets. Mayor Brandon Johnson said he respected the decision, though his office clarified the city had not recommended canceling. Organizers did not provide a new date for the event. Meanwhile, the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village was still being planned, and the 24th annual parade in Pilsen was set to go forward.