Culiacán Celebrates Independence Day After 2-Year Pause

For the first time since 2023, the people of Culiacán will gather in public squares to celebrate Mexico's Independence Day with their traditional Grito festival. Interim Governor Yeraldine Bonilla made the announcement this week with a simple promise: "There will be Independence Day celebrations!"

The September 15-16 festival honors Father Miguel Hidalgo's 1810 call to arms that launched Mexico's War for Independence. Each year, officials ring bells in town squares and shout the names of heroes while crowds respond with cries of "¡Viva México!"

Culiacán canceled its public celebrations in 2024 and 2025, opting instead for restricted civic ceremonies while authorities focused on public safety. During those two years, residents of Sinaloa's capital city watched other Mexican communities celebrate while they stayed home.

Now preparations are already underway at the Governor's Palace Esplanade. Bonilla told reporters her team is negotiating with several musicians and entertainers who will perform during the festivities.

The governor even made her announcement personal, encouraging Sinaloans "to get ready to celebrate" and adding, "I hope to see you there." Organizers have contacted performers who were scheduled for last year's canceled event, including El Coyote, Marisela, and Miguel Bosé.

The Ripple Effect

The return of Independence Day celebrations means more than one festival. Bonilla confirmed that large civic events, concerts, and public gatherings will gradually return to plazas across the state.

For families in Culiacán, this September will mark a return to beloved traditions. Parents can once again take their children to see fireworks and parades on September 16, when military and civic groups march through streets filled with food vendors and cultural performances.

State officials plan to release the full program for September 16 events by the end of this month, giving residents time to plan their celebrations. The announcement represents a tangible step toward normalcy for a community that has waited two years to gather in public joy.

After years of staying apart, Culiacán's residents will soon fill their city's squares again, ringing bells and shouting together in celebration of their nation's independence.