The Top 9 Cultural Festivals in Mexico you must experience

Traditions, Cultural Expressions, Arts, Music

Here You Will Find Every Festival You Need to Visit Throughout the Year

Mexico is a country with an amazing culture. From the gastronomy of each state to the cultural expressions from different regions, even traditions, ceremonies, and rituals bring Mexican folklore to life.

These days, various festivals take place across the country, and today we will review some of the most important ones that we believe you don’t want to miss out on.

San Marcos National Fair

• Date: April 15 to May 7th
• Place: Aguascalientes

The San Marcos National Fair is a celebration that shares some of the traditions from the state of Aguascalientes with its visitors. It began in 1828 and has evolved over the years to become one of the most important fairs in Latin America.

Known for its bullfighting events and regional music shows, games, and entertainment for families, it also offers a glimpse into Aguascalientes' gastronomy. Visitors can try local dishes at restaurants and markets.

Every year, there is a Guest State that presents its culture, gastronomy, and traditions, making it the perfect forum for local craftsmen to sell their products and showcase technological innovations.

It is an interesting display as it is planned to be a fair for both visitors and the local community. Locals participate in parades, contests, and other activities, turning the celebration into a vibrant festival representing the culture of Aguascalientes and the regions within the state.

Paax Festival

• Date: June 26th to July 7th
• Place: Hotel Xcaret Arte
• Website:  Festival Paax GNP | Alondra de la Parra & Seguros GNP

The Paax Festival is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in art, in all its expressions. Its artistic director, the orchestra conductor Alondra de la Parra, has created a unique festival, full of details.

From the choice of the artists and the performances presented in each edition, to the venue where each presentation takes place.

Hotel Xcaret Arte is not only the ideal setting for this festival because of its beautiful spaces; the gastronomy that accompanies each event turns this festival into a surreal celebration. Like a dream where the best artists share their passion for music, performing arts, and creativity.

Each presentation can give you goosebumps; the inspiration and talent of those who participate transform the atmosphere of the hotel. As if the whole place were inspired by the sound and every artistic expression.

A unique, transformative, and undoubtedly unforgettable journey.

Guelaguetza

• Date: July 2024
• Place: Oaxaca

This ethnic festival is the biggest cultural festival in Mexico. It is a celebration that happens during July and reunites the regions of Oaxaca where every artistic delegation shows their unique cultural expressions.

The Guelaguetza festival takes its name from the Zapotec word “Guendalezaa”, which means “offering or present”, and it is also known as the “Fiesta de los Lunes del Cerro” since it is part of the cultural rituals to the Virgen del Carmen. This is why it is celebrated on the two Mondays closest to the Catholic festivity of that Virgin Celebration.

At the Guelaguetza, the 7 traditional regions of Oaxaca: Los Valles Centrales, La Sierra Juárez, La Cañada, Tuxtepec, La Mixteca, La Costa y el Itsmo de Tehuantepec perform cultural and sports events.

Every region shares with visitors their traditional dances, music, and chants.

Traditional clothes, fireworks, gastronomy, and a lot of color take over Oaxaca during the festival. It is a spectacle full of tradition that shares its origins with pride and joy with the world.

Cervantino International Festival

• Dates: October 11th to 27th
• Place: Guanajuato
• Website: 51 Festival Internacional Cervantino 2023 :: Secretaría de Cultura

The Cervantino International Festival takes place every year in the city of Guanajuato. The name of the festival honors the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, considered one of the most important writers in Spanish literature.

The FIC is one of the oldest and biggest cultural festivals in Mexico. The performances are very diversified, and it is filled with activities among which visitors will find theatre, dance, literature, visual arts, and music, ranging from classical music shows to more modern artists.

Given the nature and the international recognition of the festival, Mexican and international artists visit the city of Guanajuato every year. Historic places such as the Alhóndiga de Granaditas and Juárez Theater are the perfect scenery for the performances.

Given the nature and the international recognition of the festival, Mexican and international artists visit the city of Guanajuato every year. Historic places such as the Alhóndiga de Granaditas and Juárez Theater are the perfect scenery for the performances.

Without a doubt, an experience worth a visit.

Morelia International Film Festival

• Dates: October 18th
• Place: Morelia, Michoacán
• Official website: Inicio | Morelia Film Fest

It’s an important platform that supports Mexican filmmakers, cultivates new audiences, and spreads Mexico’s film culture.

The festival is dedicated to independent films and has international recognition because it shows a variety of films, genres, and international filmmakers participate every year.

It’s a great opportunity to discover emerging talent from our country and to discover international filmmakers and their original projects.

Life and Death Traditions Festival

• Dates: October 29th to November 2nd
• Place: Xcaret Park
• Website: 

The Life and Death Traditions Festival at Xcaret Park gathers diverse traditions from the Day of the Dead. Every year, they host a Guest State to come and share the different ways they celebrate the Day of the Dead.

Gastronomy, rituals, ceremonies, dances, and even the original crafts used to commemorate this tradition are showcased. Visitors will also find beautiful altars, workshops, theater, dance performances, and concerts amidst the stunning landscape of the Riviera Maya.

The marigold flowers, candlelight, and cemetery decorations are part of how the Day of the Dead is celebrated all over the country and can be experienced at Xcaret Park.

Traditional Day of the Dead bread, among other typical dishes, turns this celebration into a festival filled with folklore and flavor.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit, save the date; we are sure you won’t regret it.

International Balloon Festival of Leon, Guanajuato

This is a totally different event since the sky is the canvas to enjoy this beautiful festival.

Over time, it has become an icon that showcases Mexico in the aerostation scenery. A spectacle that shares with the world the magic, culture, color, and hospitality of Mexico.

Pilots from more than 23 countries around the world participate in the festival, offering amazing sunrises with 200 hot air balloons, a Zeppelin Show, a Gastronomic Pavilion, and incredible nights where balloons light up to the rhythm of the music.

The festival has become a visual spectacle that has strengthened the local economy and has raised awareness of the City of Leon as a destination to visit.

We are sure that being able to attend one of these beautiful sunrises will be a unique and unforgettable experience.

Guadalajara International Book Fair

• Date: November 30th to December 8th
• Place: Guadalajara, Jalisco
• Website:  Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (fil.com.mx)

For literature lovers and people who want to delve deep into the written word from a different perspective, Guadalajara’s International Book Fair is a visit they would love.

The fair itself is the most important editorial gathering in Ibero-America and an extraordinary cultural festival. Founded by the University of Guadalajara, it was conceived as a cultural fest with literature as the main topic.

It is one of the most important book fairs in the country, attracting distinguished authors and renowned publishers every year. It has become a space where national and international literature converge.

The FIL, as is commonly known, presents a great variety of genres, styles, and topics, ensuring that every visitor will find something they like. It’s also a great stage for book releases, authors’ presentations, and where readers have the chance to get to know the author a little closer before embarking on their literary quest.

The FIL, as is commonly known, presents a great variety of genres, styles, and topics, ensuring that every visitor will find something they like. It’s also a great stage for book releases, authors’ presentations, and where readers have the chance to get to know the author a little closer before embarking on their literary quest.

The fair has become a cultural lighthouse that encourages a rich exchange between people who love the magic of books and those who understand the power of the written word.

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

• Dates: Late November – Beginning of December
• Place: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
• Website:  Riviera Maya Jazz Festival 2024 - Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is the only jazz festival in the world that offers free entrance to every one of its concerts. It started to give "Playa" a cultural identity. The first edition was in 2003, and it has become a magnificent experience combining the beautiful landscape of the Riviera Maya with the rhythm and passion of jazz music.

Many renowned jazz musicians have performed at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, which has led to an increase in its popularity without losing the intimate touch that allows interaction between artists and the audience thanks to the venues where they perform.