Grito night in the backyard
Zigzag the banners between trees or fence posts and add string lights along the same lines, so the flags stay visible after dark when the Grito is given.
September 15–16 · Hispanic Heritage Month
Plastic Papel Picado for Mexican Independence Day & Hispanic Heritage Month
Mexican Independence Day decorations start overhead: rows of papel picado strung across patios, plazas, classrooms and dining rooms. Plastic papel picado keeps that traditional cut-flag look in waterproof plastic, so the same banners can hang outdoors for the September 15 Grito party and stay up through Hispanic Heritage Month events at school, work or in the community.
One of our Mexican party supplies guides, alongside papel picado for Cinco de Mayo, weddings and more.
Know the dates
September at a Glance: What You're Decorating For
- Sept 15
eveningEl Grito
Celebrations begin the night before Independence Day with El Grito, the cry of "¡Viva México!" that recalls Miguel Hidalgo's 1810 call to arms in Dolores. Families and communities gather for food, music and fireworks.
- Sept 16
Mexican Independence Day
Mexico's national holiday marks the start of the war of independence from Spain in 1810. Expect parades, fiestas patrias, pozole and plenty of green, white and red.
- Sept 15 – Oct 15
Hispanic Heritage Month (U.S.)
A month recognizing the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. It starts on September 15, the independence anniversary of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with Mexico on the 16th and Chile on the 18th.
Not the same as Cinco de Mayo: May 5 marks the 1862 Battle of Puebla. Decorating for May? See plastic papel picado for Cinco de Mayo.
The featured set
Fiesta Wraps Plastic Papel Picado, 5-Pack
A multicolor set ("Fiesta Prismatic") of traditional papel picado designs, handcrafted in Central Mexico by skilled artisans from waterproof plastic.
- Pack5 pre-strung banners
- Each banner18.4 ft (5.6 m), 10 flags
- Whole set92 ft (28 m)
- Flag size16 × 12.5 in (41 × 32 cm)
- Colors10 colors and designs per banner
- MaterialWaterproof plastic, UV protection
Note: this is a multicolor set, not a green, white and red design. For a tricolor accent, see the pairing tip below.
$25.99Amazon.com price as of October 13, 2026; prices may change.
September 16
Mexican Independence Day Decorating Ideas
Fiestas patrias are loud, colorful and usually stretch late into the night of the 15th. These ideas use papel picado as the backbone of the decorations.
Block party & community fiesta
Line a street, parking lot or plaza in long parallel runs. Plastic can go up the day before and stay up through the celebration.
Restaurants & event venues
Cover the patio and the dining room for a fiestas patrias menu night; the flags rinse off afterwards and go back in storage.
The food table
Hang a banner along the wall behind the pozole, tostadas and dessert table so it frames the spread.
A photo spot
Stack three or four banners close together on a wall or fence for a bright backdrop.
Add green, white & red
Keep the multicolor banners overhead and add national colors with tablecloths, flowers or our tricolor tissue papel picado indoors.
Bring a piñata
A handmade star piñata under the banners gives kids a highlight of their own.
September 15 – October 15
Papel Picado for Hispanic Heritage Month Events
Hispanic Heritage Month honors many communities with their own histories, music, food and art, from Mexico and Central America to the Caribbean, South America and Spain. Papel picado is specifically a Mexican folk-art tradition. It's a natural choice when an event celebrates Mexican heritage, or as one Mexican element among decorations from the other cultures represented.
Because plastic banners can stay up for weeks and be reused, they work well for displays that run the whole month.
Schools & classrooms
Run a banner above a hallway display or bulletin board about Mexican history and art, or across the cafeteria for a heritage celebration.
Workplaces
Decorate a lobby, break room or cultural-event space; one set covers several runs across an open office area.
Libraries & cultural programs
Frame a book display, a storytime corner or a stage for music and dance performances.
Community gatherings
Festivals, church halls and community centers can hang the banners outdoors or in, then pack them away for next year.
Family celebrations
A heritage-themed dinner or party at home, with papel picado over the table and family recipes on it.
Tip for multicultural events: label what each decoration is and where it comes from. A small card reading "Papel picado: Mexican cut-paper folk art" turns decoration into a learning moment.
Plan your space
Choosing and Hanging Plastic Papel Picado
Each banner is 18.4 ft long. Allowing for a gentle sag, one banner spans roughly 16 ft between anchor points, and the set of five gives you 92 ft to work with.
| Layout idea | Banners | |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom or school hallway | Two or three runs along the length, above head height | 2–3 |
| Office lobby or break room | Crisscross from corner to corner | 2–4 |
| Backyard Grito party | Zigzag between trees and posts, with string lights | 5 (one set) |
| Cafeteria, gym or event hall | Parallel rows across the ceiling | 5–10 (1–2 sets) |
| Street or plaza fiesta | Long runs between buildings or poles | Total length ÷ about 16 ft |
Planning estimates based on the 18.4 ft banner length; measure your own space.
Outdoors
- The listing describes the banners as waterproof with UV protection and able to withstand rain, wind and extended outdoor use.
- Tie both ends of every run to something solid; wind puts more pull on a long run.
- Keep runs clear of walkways, grills and fireworks.
- After the event, rinse if needed, let dry and store.
Indoors & at school
- Use removable adhesive hooks, ceiling clips or existing fixtures, and follow your building's rules for hanging decorations.
- Keep banners clear of sprinkler heads, lights and exit signs.
- Hang above head height in hallways so the flags aren't pulled.
- Hooks and clips are not listed as included.
Plastic or tissue paper?
Plastic suits outdoor fiestas and displays that stay up all month, and it can be reused next September. Tissue paper is the traditional material, with a delicate look for an indoor dinner or a one-day event, but it is designed for single use. Compare them on our Mexican party supplies hub.
Questions
Mexican Independence Day & Hispanic Heritage Month FAQs
What decorations are used for Mexican Independence Day?
Mexican Independence Day decorations center on green, white and red, the colors of the Mexican flag, together with papel picado strung overhead, flowers, and brightly colored tablecloths and serving pieces. Homes, schools and businesses often hang flags and banners for the fiestas patrias. Multicolor papel picado works on its own or mixed with green, white and red accents.
When is Mexican Independence Day celebrated?
Mexican Independence Day is September 16. It marks the start of Mexico's war of independence from Spain in 1810. Celebrations usually begin on the night of September 15 with El Grito, when the cry of "¡Viva México!" is given, followed by parades and fiestas on the 16th.
Is Mexican Independence Day the same as Cinco de Mayo?
No. Mexican Independence Day, September 16, is Mexico's main national holiday and commemorates the start of the 1810 independence movement. Cinco de Mayo, May 5, commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Both are celebrated with papel picado; for May, see our plastic papel picado for Cinco de Mayo.
How can papel picado be used for Hispanic Heritage Month?
Papel picado can frame classroom bulletin boards, hallway displays, library exhibits, office lobbies and performance stages during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15. Because it is a Mexican folk art, it fits best where an event highlights Mexican heritage, or as one of several decorations representing the different cultures being celebrated. A short label explaining what papel picado is adds an educational touch.
What is plastic papel picado?
Plastic papel picado is papel picado, the Mexican cut-flag banner, made from plastic instead of tissue paper. The Fiesta Wraps set is handcrafted in Central Mexico in traditional papel picado designs from waterproof plastic with UV protection, so it can hang outdoors and be rinsed, stored and reused. It includes five pre-strung banners, each 18.4 ft long with ten 16 × 12.5 in flags.
How can I use plastic papel picado for a school or community celebration?
Hang it above head height along hallways, across a cafeteria or gym ceiling, or over an outdoor stage or booth area. One 18.4 ft banner spans roughly 16 ft, so a hallway may need two or three banners and a large hall one or two sets of five. Use removable hooks or existing fixtures, keep banners away from sprinklers and exit signs, and store them afterward for next year.
Is the featured banner set green, white and red?
No. The featured set is multicolor, with ten colors and designs on each banner. For green, white and red, Fiesta Wraps offers tricolor tissue paper papel picado, which suits indoor displays. Many hosts hang multicolor banners overhead and add tricolor accents on tables and walls.
More from Fiesta Wraps
More Papel Picado & Celebration Decorations
Tricolor tissue papel picado
Plastic papel picado for Cinco de Mayo
Tissue papel picado for Cinco de Mayo
Handmade star piñatas¡Viva México! Decorate for September
Five pre-strung plastic papel picado banners, 92 feet in all, handcrafted in Central Mexico. Hang them outdoors for the Grito, keep them up for Hispanic Heritage Month, and reuse them next year.