From Brooklyn to Mexico City: The Spirit of Mexican Independence Takes Over

Mexican Independence Day is about much more than one night of celebrations. Every September, the spirit of Mexico takes over streets, plazas and communities around the world — from the heart of Mexico City to New York City.

This year, that feeling made its way all the way to Brooklyn, where New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Sunset Park on September 13.

“Mamdani, hermano, ya eres mexicano”

Walking through Sunset Park surrounded by Mexican flags, music, dancing and hundreds of parade-goers, Mamdani was presented with the Grand Marshal sash and became the first sitting New York City mayor to participate in the neighborhood’s Mexican Independence Day Parade. 

The parade, now in its 32nd edition, has been held in New York since 1994 and has grown into an annual celebration of Mexican culture, heritage and community.

But one moment quickly became the highlight of the day.

As Mamdani made his way through the crowd holding a small Mexican flag, attendees began chanting:

“¡Mamdani, hermano, ya eres mexicano!”

The mayor responded by placing his hand over his heart, embracing the moment as he walked alongside Mexican New Yorkers celebrating one of the country’s most important holidays. 

Following the parade, Mamdani described Mexican Independence as “the triumph of a people determined to shape their own future” and highlighted the importance of Mexican New Yorkers to the city. 

And honestly, there is something very New York about seeing a mayor with Indian-Ugandan family roots celebrating Mexican Independence alongside one of the city’s vibrant immigrant communities.

Meanwhile, in Mexico City…

Thousands of miles away, the celebrations were happening on an entirely different scale.

On September 15, Mexico City’s Zócalo filled with people waiting for the annual Grito de Independencia, the ceremony commemorating the beginning of Mexico’s independence movement in 1810.

More than 100,000 people had gathered in the plaza ahead of the ceremony, many dressed in green, white and red, wearing sombreros and sarapes, waving Mexican flags and celebrating with the unmistakable energy of September 15.

The atmosphere was filled with mariachi music, Mexican traditions and, of course, plenty of patriotic spirit.

One of the biggest attractions of the evening was a free performance by Intocable, who took the stage as part of the celebrations before President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared on the balcony of the National Palace at 11 p.m. to lead the traditional Grito. 

As the clock approached midnight, the Zócalo became a sea of Mexican flags, voices and celebration — a scene that perfectly captures what September means in Mexico.

Mexico, wherever you are

From Sunset Park to the Zócalo, this year’s celebrations showed just how far Mexican culture travels.

In Brooklyn, Mexican New Yorkers filled the streets with music, dancing, flags and community pride. In Mexico City, hundreds of thousands gathered in one of the country’s most iconic public spaces to celebrate the history that connects them.

Different cities. Different celebrations. Same spirit.

Because Mexican Independence Day is not only celebrated in Mexico. It lives wherever Mexican communities gather, preserve their traditions, share their culture and proudly say:

¡Viva México!