Sacramento’s El Grito festival returns to State Capitol

The celebration returned with a full festival after last year’s small ceremony.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The El Grito festival returned to the State Capitol on Tuesday, bringing mariachi music, dancing and food to Sacramento as the celebration of Mexican independence returned after the festival portion of the event was canceled last year.

The State Capitol was lit up with the colors of the Mexican flag Tuesday night as people gathered to celebrate.

Sept. 15 is El Grito, which celebrates the night before the start of the Mexican civil war.

“The audience is great. The music is good. So we’re here to have a very nice time and a good celebration,” said Marco Rodriguez, president of the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California.

This year’s celebration marked a return for El Grito after organizers held a reduced event last year because of the political climate.

Organizers said ICE raids across the U.S. led to safety concerns. The 2025 El Grito was limited to a small ceremony with no festival.

Rodriguez said this year felt different.

“A year makes a big difference, you know. Sacramento is a very safe community, the whole community loves everybody. So, I think that’s what really brought us back,” Rodriguez said.

Sarabel Rodriguez, who attends El Grito every year, said the festival’s return made up for last September’s disappointment.

“I’m glad that they were able to do this this year, because last year was very, it was kind of sad. I really look forward to it … I dress up for the occasion, so it’s just something that brings pride to me,” she said.

Local bands performed various styles of Mexican music and dance throughout the celebration.

Among the performers was 26-year-old Melissa Arellano, who plays violin and sings in her father’s mariachi band.

“Mariachi music I would say is like the heart of Mexico. El Grito to me means happiness and seeing something really great in the future,” Arellano said.

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