Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Sept. 16, 2026 — Thousands gathered along Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón on Tuesday night for the city’s Independence ceremony and fireworks display.
Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía González led the traditional Grito shortly after 11 p.m. from a balcony of the Municipal Palace overlooking the downtown waterfront.
A fireworks display followed the ceremony, filling the sky above Centro as music and other festivities continued along the Malecón.
Thousands gather in downtown Puerto Vallarta
Separate local reports described a crowd of thousands that included Puerto Vallarta residents, Mexican visitors and international tourists.
Families and other attendees filled the area around the Municipal Palace, Plaza de Armas and the Malecón. Large screens allowed people farther from the balcony to follow the ceremony.
The concentration brought one of the year’s largest civic celebrations to the heart of Puerto Vallarta. Activity centered on the waterfront and the surrounding streets of the Centro neighborhood.
The city had previously announced a four-day Independence program running from Sept. 13 through Sept. 16. The schedule included mariachi performances, cultural presentations, fireworks and civic ceremonies at the Malecón and Plaza de Armas.
Munguía leads his second Grito as mayor
Munguía appeared on the west-facing balcony of the Municipal Palace to lead his second Independence ceremony as mayor.
During the formal address, he invoked Miguel Hidalgo, José María Morelos, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama and Mariano Matamoros.
The crowd answered the mayor’s calls of “¡Viva México!” and “¡Viva Puerto Vallarta!” before the ceremony concluded.
The municipal government also published a full recording of the downtown celebration.
Fireworks close the civic ceremony
Fireworks began after the Grito, illuminating the waterfront and downtown Puerto Vallarta. Music continued on the Malecón following the display.
The celebration marked the 216th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico’s independence movement. The traditional Grito is held on the night of Sept. 15, ahead of the country’s official Independence Day on Sept. 16.
