The best places to celebrate Mexican Independence Day (September 15 and 16) in Guadalajara are the public plazas of the historic center, the municipalities of Tlaquepaque, Zapopan and Tonalá, and the magical town of Tequila, Jalisco. For those seeking a complete experience with mariachi, traditional cuisine and tequila tasting, Casa Sauza hosts Independence Night every year at its Quinta Sauza manor, in the municipality of Tequila.
September 16 is Mexico's Independence Day, the date that commemorates the start of the 1810 war of independence, which ended nearly 300 years of rule by the Spanish crown. The night before, on September 15 at 11:00 p.m., the Grito de Independencia (Cry of Independence) ceremony takes place in every plaza and municipality in the country. The representative of the government in office rings the bell, waves the Mexican flag, and repeats the words of the historic call of the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores, Guanajuato: the origin of what we know today as the Grito de Dolores.
If you are staying in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, these are the main options to experience the Grito ceremony:
The esplanade in front of the Palacio de Gobierno de Jalisco is the busiest gathering point in the city. The official ceremony includes fireworks, mariachi music and a festive atmosphere from hours before the Grito. Arriving early is recommended: vehicle access is restricted and the streets of the historic center are closed for the event.
Each of these municipalities organizes its own celebration. In Tlaquepaque you can go to the Palacio Municipal; in Zapopan, to the esplanade of the Plaza de las Américas, in front of the Basilica; and in Tonalá, to the Plaza de Cihuapilli. All three offer the official Grito, fireworks, traditional food and tequila. Because they are smaller in scale than the event in downtown Guadalajara, the atmosphere is more relaxed and family-friendly.
Sixty kilometers (about 37 miles) from Guadalajara lies the magical town of Tequila, Jalisco, birthplace of Mexico's national spirit. Celebrating September 15 here carries a different meaning: independence and tequila are two symbols of Mexican identity that converge naturally in this place. The cobblestone streets, the fields of blue agave and the characteristic aroma of the distilleries make this night an experience that goes beyond the party.
Every September 15, Casa Sauza celebrates Independence Night at Quinta Sauza, its historic mansion in the municipality of Tequila, Jalisco. The setting of a mansion with 153 years of history turns the celebration into something difficult to replicate anywhere else: live mariachi, traditional Mexican cuisine and tequila tasting in the same place where tequila has been made since 1873.
Details for the 2026 event will be available soon. If you want to be among the first to know the date, schedule and reservations, leave your information and we will let you know as soon as registration opens.
The Grito de Independencia ceremony is held on September 15 at 11:00 p.m. in most municipalities of Mexico, including Guadalajara and Tequila, in Jalisco. In Mexico City the presidential Grito also takes place at 11:00 p.m. Central Time, and in Jalisco the local time is likewise 11 at night.
September 15 is the night of the Grito de Independencia: the commemorative ceremony held at 11:00 p.m. in plazas and municipalities across the country. September 16 is the official Independence Day of Mexico, declared a national public holiday. The main festivities take place on the night of the 15th, but the formal civic parades and events are held during the day on the 16th.
Tequila, Jalisco, is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from downtown Guadalajara via highway 15D. By car the trip takes between 45 minutes and an hour. For September 15, it is worth considering alternative transportation if you plan to drink during the celebration: there are bus services from the Guadalajara Central de Autobuses and private transportation options within the city.
The cuisine of September 16 features the most representative dishes of Mexican cooking: pozole, birria, tamales, enchiladas, chiles en nogada and antojitos such as tostadas, sopes and flautas. In Jalisco, birria and pozole are the undisputed stars of the night. Tequila is the traditional drink of the celebration, and one of the most popular servings is the bandera mexicana (Mexican flag): a set of three shots with lime juice, blanco tequila and sangrita.
Prices and availability for the Independence event at Casa Sauza vary from year to year. To find out the cost and schedule, and to make your reservation for the 2026 event, registration will be available soon at casasauza.com.
Tequila, Jalisco, is a Pueblo Mágico (magical town) with established tourism infrastructure and independence events held year after year, with the presence of municipal authorities. As with any large nighttime event, it is recommended to plan transportation in advance, go in a group and not leave drinks unattended. The celebration at Casa Sauza offers a controlled environment with supervised access.
The Grito de Dolores is the name given to the call made by the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, in the early morning of September 16, 1810, in the town of Dolores, Guanajuato. Hidalgo rang the church bell to gather the people and call them to rise up in arms against Spanish rule, thus beginning Mexico's war of independence. Every September 15, that scene is commemorated in every plaza in the country through the Grito de Independencia ceremony.
Luis Navarro #70, col. Centro, Tequila, Jalisco.