On the night of Wednesday 15 September 2027, Mexico City gathers at the Zocalo for El Grito, the cry that opens Independence Day. The national ceremony fills the great square in the Centro Historico, and Thursday 16 September is Independence Day itself, with civic commemorations and the annual military parade.
It is the biggest night of the Mexican year in the capital, and it rewards anyone who lands a day early, settles near the Centro, and walks in rather than fighting the closed streets. This post covers the ceremony, the ride in from the airport, and how the first hour works.
What is happening
Exoticca’s September 2027 guide confirms the shape of the holiday: Independence Day falls on Thursday 16 September 2027, and celebrations begin the evening before, on Wednesday 15 September, with the traditional Grito de Independencia. Across Mexico, public squares fill with music, flags and traditional food, and in Mexico City the national ceremony traditionally takes place at the Zocalo.
The following day brings civic commemorations and the annual military parade. Expect substantial crowds and temporary transportation restrictions around the Historic Center, which is why the arrival plan below puts you on foot for the last stretch. September is also chiles en nogada season: restaurants serve the stuffed poblano in walnut sauce with pomegranate seeds, its red, white and green echoing the flag, and it is the plate to order this week.
One earlier date is worth knowing. Monday 13 September marks the commemoration of the Ninos Heroes, the young cadets remembered for the defense of Chapultepec, so the holiday week builds across several days rather than a single night.
Getting there after you land
MEX has two terminals linked by a free shuttle and the Aerotren, and the guide is clear that Felipe Angeles (NLU), 50 km north, is a different airport entirely. From MEX, the Metrobus is the value pick with room for luggage, while taxis and apps win late at night. See our MEX to Mexico City center transfer guide for every option, priced and compared.
Metrobus Line 4Cheapest
Direct from both terminals to the Centro and Buenavista, running about 04:30 to midnight on the Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada.
Authorized airport taxi
Fixed zone fare. Buy the ticket at the booth inside arrivals and ignore anyone offering a ride in the corridor.
Uber and DiDi
Meet the driver at the designated pickup zone. Usually the cheapest door to door option, with the price locked in the app.
The full first hour: Mexico City guide
The ride in, the first ticket and the first meal, plus where to stay in Mexico City.
Where to stay, and getting back
For a Splurge, Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico, at 16 de Septiembre 82 in the Centro Historico, is an Art Nouveau landmark right on the Zocalo, with a Tiffany stained glass ceiling and a rooftop terrace looking across the square to the Cathedral. For Mid-range, Hotel Historico Central, at Simon Bolivar 28, is a colonial era mansion a few blocks from the Zocalo whose 24 hour cafe includes breakfast, coffee and snacks around the clock. For Budget, Hostal Amigo, at Isabel la Catolica 61-A, is a long running backpacker base with dorms, private rooms and a free breakfast buffet.
Staying in the Centro puts the ceremony on your doorstep, which matters on a night when transport around the Historic Center is restricted. For getting back, reverse the ride in: Metrobus Line 4 to either terminal, or a taxi bought at an official booth for an early flight.
The first hour, sorted
Get connected before you leave the terminal: the guide names an Airalo eSIM for Mexico, with Saily as the alternative, and Telcel starter packs at the airport OXXO stores if you prefer a local SIM. Rideshare pickups, maps and translation all depend on that data.
Sort money at an ATM inside the terminal, decline the conversion offer, and keep small bills separate. Prices are in pesos, written with the same sign as dollars. Cards work in most Centro and Roma restaurants and hotels, but markets, street stalls and many taquerias are cash only.
For a first meal, the guide sends you to El Cardenal on Calle Palma for chilaquiles and hot chocolate whisked at the table, to Contramar in Roma Norte for tuna tostadas, or to the standing counter at Taqueria El Califa de Leon for a gaonera taco. The city sits at 2,240 meters, so keep the first walk gentle: the Zocalo and Calle Madero to the Palacio de Bellas Artes as the light fades. Book the Casa Azul ahead, as the guide directs: it sells timed slots online only.
That is the shape of the trip: land well, join the event, and keep the first hour simple. Browse the events calendar for what else is on while you are in town, and use plan your trip to line up the days around it.
Teotihuacan, Xochimilco and the Zocalo, for the days around El Grito.
Get the Mexico City first hour checklist by email
The ride in, the first ticket and the first meal, in the Mexico City guide PDF you can read on the plane.
The checklist, free, from After You Land.
What else is on
The events calendar tracks every guided city, strikes and stoppages included.
Events calendarLine up the rest
Plan your trip pulls the guide, the stays and the bookings for this trip into one place.
Plan your trip