Hundreds of attendees dressed in patriotic colors and vibrant costumes gathered at San Jose City Hall on Tuesday evening for the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day. The celebration culminated in “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” delivered by Consul General Neftalí Said Pérez González alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Patricia Rivera Esparza of San Jose, who was brought to the U.S. from Mexico as a one-year-old, wore elegant traditional Mexican ranchera attire to honor the heritage passed down by her parents—a cultural tradition she explained in fluent Spanish, she now passes on to her children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, fellow San Jose resident Alfredo Gonzalez became one of the most popular attendees of the night. Wearing a striking Guerrero Azteca (Aztec Warrior) costume, he was constantly approached by crowd members eager to take a souvenir photo. While his style contrasted sharply with Esparza’s, both embodied the same magnetic charisma.
Alfredo Gonzalez, of San Jose, poses for photos in his Guerrero Azteca costume during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Hundreds of people gathered for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which was announced by Neftali Said Pérez González, consul general of Mexico in San Jose, alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Elsewhere, attendees sampled an array of Mexican food, finding it hard to choose among the delicious smells and appealing presentations. The event featured a wide range of Mexican music, from timeless classics to modern hits, alongside folkloric dances, games, and arts and crafts. Outside, Mexican flags waved along Santa Clara Street in front of City Hall.
A Mexican folkloric dance group performs before “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which would be delivered by Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
As night fell, an escolta (color guard) composed of staff members from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Jose presented the Mexican flag to Consul General Pérez González on the first-floor balcony. Decorated in the Mexican tricolor, the balcony featured the iconic bell central to the historic ritual. Mayor Mahan rang the bell as the crowd echoed the rhythmic chants of “¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México!”—a call followed by the Mexican National Anthem reverberating through downtown San Jose.
Alvaro Cortez, left, and Fernando Robles, of San Jose, wave the Mexican flags as Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González delivers “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” during 216th anniversary Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The ritual honors the original “Cry of Dolores,” the 1810 battle cry issued by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla that launched Mexico’s war of independence against Spain. September 15 also marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a period during which several other Latin American nations—including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Chile, and Belize—celebrate their own independence.
A color guard composed of staff members from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Jose make their way to deliver the Mexican flag to Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Hundreds of attendees dressed in patriotic colors and costumes gathered for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which was announced by the consul general alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Fernando Robles, of San Jose, repeats “Viva Mexico” as Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González delivers “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” during 216th anniversary Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Consul General of Mexico in San Jose, Neftali Said Pérez González, left, alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, right, delivers “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” during 216th anniversary Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Hundreds of attendees dressed in patriotic colors and costumes gather for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” delivered by Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A Mexican folkloric dance group performs before “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which would be delivered by Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Edgar Franco, 8, left, Lorena Dominguez, and her 2-year-old daughter, Maya Alvarado, all of San Jose, look on as attendees dressed in patriotic colors and costumes dance to Mexican music before “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” delivered by Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Hundreds of attendees dressed in patriotic colors and costumes dance Mexican music before “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which would be delivered by Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
People enjoy Mexican food and aguas frescas during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Hundreds of people gathered for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which was delivered by Consul General of Mexico in San Jose, Neftali Said Pérez González, alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Makeup artist Rosa Arismendiz, of San Jose, exchanges a hug with an attendee during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Hundreds of people gathered for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which was delivered by Consul General of Mexico in San Jose, Neftali Said Pérez González, alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Fernando Robles, left, and, Alvaro Cortez, of San Jose, wave the Mexican flags as Consul General Neftali Said Pérez González delivers “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” during 216th anniversary Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Patricia Rivera Esparza of San Jose, wears traditional Mexican ranchera clothing to honor the heritage passed down by her parents—a cultural tradition she now passes on to her children and grandchildren, she said, during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Hundreds of people gathered for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which was announced by Neftali Said Pérez González, consul general of Mexico in San Jose, alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
People enjoy Mexican food during the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day celebrations at San Jose City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Hundreds of people gathered for “El Grito,” or “The Cry,” which was delivered by Consul General of Mexico in San Jose, Neftali Said Pérez González, alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)