Viva México! It’s all about our southern neighbor’s rich culture when Festival de La Villita-perhaps the largest annual celebration of Mexican culture in the Midwest-returns to 26th Street in the heart of the Little Village neighborhood for its 30th celebratory year.

The fest coincides with the Fiestas Patrias family of patriotic holidays held each year in Mexico. More specifically, this wildly popular family-friendly happening celebrates Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule in September of 1810.

Festival de La Villita (aka Little Village Fest) offers something for everyone: top local and regional music acts and entertainment, the fantastic food of neighborhood eateries, carnival rides and more.

In addition, on Sunday afternoon the fest is the end location of one of Chicago’s biggest annual spectacles: the popular and colorful happening that is the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade.