Welcome to another edition of the Happenings in the Heights newsletter, your guide to weekend events in Boyle Heights and the Eastside.
The 79th East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Parade is coming up this Sunday — a joyful celebration of culture, tradition, and community. But amid immigration enforcement this summer, many may be concerned to attend large in-person events.
The parade will still go on, organizers said, and it’s expected to be one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the country. This year’s grand marshal is Mexican-American engineer and former NASA astronaut José M. Hernández, who will speak to the parade’s theme of tradition, education and achievement.
Floats, marching bands and equestrian units await all who attend. If you’re unable to go or are concerned about recent immigration enforcement activity, there are still ways to watch the event.
Here’s what you need to know about the celebration. Make sure to follow us on Instagram for live coverage this Sunday.
When is the parade and festival?
The parade starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to park and secure their viewing spot. It’s expected to be sunny, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.
The parade will conclude at 12 p.m. and will be followed by a festival at 1 p.m., featuring live music, performances and food vendors along Mednik Avenue until 5 p.m.
What’s the parade route?
The parade will begin at the corner of East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Mednik Avenue and end at Gage Avenue.
Parade viewing and festival entrance can be found at the corner of First Street and South Mednik Avenue. (See a map of the route.)
Where can I park?
Attendees can find free parking in the structure at the East L.A. Civic Center at 4801 E. 3rd Street. The parade start location is just a short, 15-minute walk. You can also find street parking where available. (More details on parking.)
Can I take public transit to the event?
Yes. Organizers cite public transit as the easiest way to get to the East L.A. parade. If you take the Metro E Line, travel to the East L.A. Civic Center Station and walk north about a mile to the parade and festival location near Belvedere Park.
Will there be any safety precautions in place regarding immigration enforcement agents?
A spokesperson for the event told Boyle Heights Beat that local law enforcement will provide security, as is customary, but did not say whether any additional safety measures would be in place. Ahead of a press conference annuncing the parade, L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis told L.A. Times en Español, “We will not be afraid—we will resist and do everything we can to fight. With that effort and community support, we will move forward.”
What if I don’t want to attend in person?
If you’re unable to attend or are concerned about recent immigration enforcement activity, you can still watch the event. ABC 7 will be broadcasting it live on TV and streaming it on their websites.
And here’s everything else we’ve got lined up for you this weekend.
Happenings in the Heights:
Thursday, September 11
- Annual Park Community Meeting: Join other L.A. County District 1 residents at Ruben Salazar Park to meet park staff, learn about upcoming events and voice their park priorities. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 3864 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023.
- Carlos y Charlos at Eastside Luv: Catch some música norteña at your favorite Boyle Heights wine bar. Doors are at 8 p.m., music starts at 9 p.m. $15. 1835 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Friday, September 12
- Policing Los Angeles Forum: Head to the Loyola Anti Racism Center at Loyola Law School for a conversation with community organizers, journalists and the ACLU. 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 919 Albany St., Los Angeles, CA 90015.
- Immigration Meeting: Join Centro CSO at Libros Schmibros for their monthly immigration committee meeting to learn more about their campaigns and the next barrio walk in the community. Event starts at 6 p.m. at 103 N. Boyle Ave. Los Angeles, 90033.
Saturday, September 13
- 2nd Annual East Los Books Festival: Bookworms and casual readers are welcome to the East L.A. Civic Center for poetry, book giveaways, readings and fun for the whole family. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East LA Civic Center 4801 E. 3rd St., East Los Angeles, CA 90022.
- Noche de Cumbia at the Ford: Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a night of music and visual art performed live featuring Sonido Gallo Negro and Eastside grown É Arenas in partnership with Cumbiatón. Tickets start at $40. Music at 8 p.m. 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Los Angeles, CA 90068.
- Robert Vargas Day: Head to Robert Vargas Square in Boyle Heights to honor the local muralist with art supply giveaways, folklórico performance and live mural painting. 1st Street and N State Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Sunday, September 14
- Mexican Independence Day Parade: Honor the culture and history of Mexico at the 79th annual East L.A. parade and festival around Belvedere Park. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and the festival begins at 1 p.m. on 1st Street and S. Mednik Avenue, East Los Angeles, CA 90022.
- La Santa Cecilia at The Luckman: Catch the second performance of the genre-defying group at Cal State L.A.’s Luckman Fine Arts Complex. Tickets start at $32.75 and the show begins at 6 p.m. 2100 Scudder Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90032.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Sept. 13, 2025, to include additional details on local law enforcement’s role in providing security, as well as a quote from Hilda Solis. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated NBC and Telemundo would stream the event. ABC 7 will be streaming and broadcasting.