LITTLE VILLAGE — More than 500,000 people are expected to visit Little Village this weekend as the Festival de La Villita returns for the 26th year.
The three-day festival — which celebrates Mexico's independence from Spain — kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday and runs until 10 p.m. Sunday.
The highlight is the Mexican Independence Day Parade, which starts Sunday at noon near 26th Street and Albany Avenue, then heads west along 26th Street to Kostner.
According to organizers, Festival de La Villita (Little Village Festival) is one of the largest celebrations of Mexican heritage in the Midwest.
Admission is free, and guests can expect music, carnival rides, kids' activities, craft vendors and authentic Mexican food and drinks from local restaurants.
The festival runs along 26th Street, starting at Albany and heading west, from 6-10 p.m. Friday, and 2-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
A portion of proceeds will support community programs run by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
According to Special Events Management, main-stage performances will include:
Friday
5 p.m. Deejay
6 p.m. Codigo 4
7 p.m. Grupo Sabo
8 p.m. Herencia Guerrerense
9 p.m. Jose Vega (con banda)
Saturday
2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Flor de Corazon
3 p.m. La Distancia de Oaxaca
4 p.m. Trueno de la Costa
5 p.m. Viento y Sol
6 p.m. Grupo Bien
7 p.m. Nuevos Invasores
8 p.m. Los Viejones
9 p.m. Alfredo Fernandez con La Ley del Norte
Sunday
2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Flor de Corazon
3 p.m. To be announced
4 p.m. El Mayor de la Sierra con Grupo Holandes del Norte
5 p.m. Tenango Band
6 p.m. Escuela de Rancho
7 p.m. Grupo el Tiempo
8 p.m. To be announced
9 p.m. Los Yumas de Zacatecas
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