Fast Fiesta Fixes: How to Throw a Mexican Independence Day Party

Each year on the night of September 15, the President of Mexico addresses the nation. He recites the cry of patriotism based on the Grito de Dolores or Cry of Independence that marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence against Spain. The speech ends with colorful fireworks and crowds shouting ¡Viva México!, marking the beginning of the September 16 celebrations that are Mexican Independence Day.

Mexican Independence Day is the country’s most important holiday. The occasion is marked with food, songs, fireworks, and even a day off from school for kids in Mexico. But Mexicans around the world have their own ways of celebrating, from decorating their homes and cars with Mexican flags to throwing fabulous fiestas. Here’s how you can enjoy the day’s festivities right at home.

The Flag

Mexican Independence Day is all about displaying the Mexican flag with pride. So why not find creative ways to do it? Hang it on a flag pole or on your wall to serve as a tapestry, use it as a tablecloth for your dining room table, or if you’re having a celebration outside drape the flag over your chairs and tie it with a red ribbon. 

Lighting

Break out the Christmas lights a few months early. Coincidentally, the signature colors of the holiday season are the same colors as Mexico. String them around the outside of your door and windows or inside your living room for a festive illumination. You can also change your light bulbs in lamps and high hats to red and green. Color bulbs can be found at your local hardware store. When it gets dark, hand out glow sticks to your guests (green, white, and red of course!) and use them as necklaces, bracelets, or headpieces.

Next up, how to decorate to get your guests in the party spirit…

Décor

Your centerpiece will serve as the focal point to your tablescape, so it has to be eye-catching and interesting. Pick up a semi-medium sized cactus plant from your local nursery and repot it in a terracotta pot, then stick small Mexican flags in the soil on each side of the cactus. Purchase four smaller cactus plants and line the rest of your table with them, on each side of your centerpiece. Top the main cactus with a sombrero and drape beads on the arms. 

If you’re in a bind, use your piñata as your centerpiece. Place the piñata on top of a serape runner, and scatter colorful confetti on your table. No piñata? No problem! Fill a large glass bowl or canister with traditional Mexican candy, flowers, or peppers (real or artificial, it’s up to you) and place it at the center of your table. Not only are you adding a burst of color to your table, but you’re giving a nod to Mexican culture as well.

For placemats that double as party gifts, print out and laminate copies of the Mexican National Anthem and set your dishes on top. Before the meal begins, have your guests join in and sing the anthem to kick off the celebration!

Also, don’t forget to pick up streamers, papel picado, and pinwheels. If you have time, make your own. Use a sharp scissor to cut out fun shapes and string each design around your main party area, amid colored balloons and lanterns.

And finally, make sure you buy plenty of noisemakers, like maracas and horns, for your guests at the party. And hang a piñata in the shape of a chile, sombrero, or cactus for some after dinner fun. Throw in some beads, stick on mustaches, and sombreros and you’re set to go!

Next up, what to serve at your fiesta and how to send your guests home happy…

Food

Traditional dishes to commemorate the day, such as pozole, a soup made of hominy and pork, as well as chiles en nogada and other foods that contain the Mexican colors of the flag, are delicious and easy to make. Serve your guests cocktails in the colors of the Mexican flag to start the celebration. You should also keep plenty of pitches of margaritas in the fridge, ready to be poured into cactus margaritas glasses (these can be found at your local craft, party, or home goods store). Tortilla chips and guacamole, Oaxaca style black bean soup, anything with mole as a starring ingredient, churros, and dulce de leche are also typical Mexican dishes you might want to have on hand for the day.

Music

Mariachi is the epitome of Mexican music. If you can’t get a live mariachi band to come to your party, fear not. We recommend the musical stylings of Alejandro Fernandez and Vicente Fernandez and Pepe Villa to name a few. You can also purchase specialty themed CDs for holidays that feature a variety of songs and artists. We suggest “Mexican Independence Day, the Sound of Mariachi“ available for $8.99.  

Party Favors

Everyone loves party favors, especially ones they can eat. Mexican weddings cookies are great favors for two reasons: they are easy and inexpensive to make and two, your guests will have something to munch on during their drive home. Hand-painted maracas, margarita mix, mini bottles of tequila from your local liquor store (usually $4-$7), or Mexican spices are great ideas as well.

Follow these party planning tips and ideas and your own version of Mexican Independence Day is sure to be a fiesta to remember! ¡Viva México!