Communities across San Diego County are launching a slate of celebrations this weekend to mark Mexico’s 216th Independence Day.

While the actual national holiday falls on Tuesday, September 16, local festivities are taking center stage early across the region.

 “It’s a historic day that is part of our identity,” said Alicia Kerber, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, calling on generations of Mexicans abroad to embrace their heritage.

Here are the festivities set for this weekend:

Saturday, Sept. 12

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park leads off the weekend with Fiestas Patrias from 11:00 AM to 4:00 p.m. (4002 Wallace St., San Diego). The event features a community parade, hands-on traditional crafts, historic cooking demonstrations, live music, a guacamole contest and a reenactment of “El Grito.”

The Old Globe in Balboa Park simultaneously hosts its Mexican Independence Day Celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Copley Plaza (1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego). The schedule highlights live performances by Mariachi Continental San Diego, Danzarts Dance Company, Ballet Folklórico Yi-Má, a piñata workshop, Lotería, food trucks, and an official “El Grito” ceremony led by Consul General Kerber at 1:00 p.m.

In North County, Escondido begins its two-day Fiestas Patrias Festival organized by USA Multicultural at Grape Day Park (321 N. Broadway, Escondido) from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Festivities include a live mariachi, danza folklórica, local food and craft vendors, a kids zone, and a beer and margarita garden.

Sunday, Sept. 13

The flagship civic observance, “El Grito,” takes place from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Memorial Bowl in Chula Vista (373 Park Way). Hosted by the city and the Mexican Consulate, the evening includes food vendors, an artisan marketplace, live mariachi, danza folklórica and a performance by opera singer Manuel Vera. Consul General Kerber will lead the official “El Grito” ceremony at 7:00 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Vista hosts Vista’s Fiestas Patrias from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Linda Rhoades Recreation Center (600 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista). The program includes youth and local ballet folklórico troupes, Mariachi Internacional de San Diego, Danza de los Diablos, costume and Lotería contests and a 1:00 p.m. “El Grito” ceremony.

San Diego’s Holy Spirit Parish (2725 55th St., San Diego) holds its Fiestas Patrias from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., featuring food, live musical acts including Grupo Furia de la Sierra, danza folklórica, and a 3:00 PM ceremony led by a consulate representative. Additionally, Escondido’s Fiestas Patrias Festival at Grape Day Park continues its second day from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

People across San Diego County are celebrating Mexican Independence Day with “El Grito.” One of the biggest events took place in Chula Vista. NBC 7 and Telemundo 20’s Rigo Villalobos was there for the celebrations.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

On Tuesday, September 16, Chicano Park hosts El Grito que defiende al pueblo from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (1949 Logan Ave., San Diego), organized by Unión del Barrio to promote culture and community awareness. Across the border, Tijuana’s El Grito de Independencia kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Glorieta Miguel Hidalgo in front of Palacio Municipal (Blvd. Independencia 9302, Zona Río). The event features a free concert by Ernesto Solano ‘La Voz Original y su Maguey,’ a livestream of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s ceremony from Mexico City and a live address by Tijuana Mayor Abdiel Gutiérrez.

All listed events offer free admission for attendees.