Emergency officials in Chicago are warning of possible significant travel restrictions, including street closures, during Mexican Independence Day celebrations and the El Grito festival in Grant Park this weekend.

According to a new warning from the Office of Civil Protection and Communications, the celebrations are set to begin Friday evening and continue through the weekend. Mexican Independence Day falls on September 16.

The city government asks residents to be considerate of their neighbors and the community during the festivities, which typically include car convoys and other events throughout the area.

Residents living in or visiting the city centre are also asked to be aware of increased traffic in the area. The city administration may need to close streets in the city centre or reroute traffic to control the flow of traffic.

In the event that access to the Central Business District is restricted due to the celebrations, a series of checkpoints will be set up to allow residents, staff and critical care staff to gain access. These will be set up at the following locations:

Halsted/Division

Halsted/Chicago

Halsted/Washington

Halsted/Madison

Halsted/Jackson

Division/LaSalle

Roosevelt/Canal

Desplaines/Channel

18^th/Condition

18^th/Michigan

18^th/Indiana

According to authorities, ramp closures on regional highways were also carried out during the celebrations.

In addition to the Mexican Independence Day celebrations, the El Grito Festival begins Saturday and runs through Sunday, taking over Chicago’s Grant Park with music, food and celebrations of Mexican independence.

Jackson will be closed between Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and residents are strongly encouraged to use public transportation on both event days.

Other events will take place in Little Village, including a 5K run and the Mexican Independence Day parade on Saturday.

NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago will stream the parade Sunday from noon to 1:30 p.m. on NBCChicago.com, TelemundoChicago.com, their respective apps and the NBC 5 Chicago News streaming channel.

For more information, please visit the OEMC app and the city website.