Mexico City Events and Festivals
(Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico)
As the capital city, it will come as no surprise the there are always things to do in Mexico City, every day of the year. However, many festivals and events are particular highlights each month in Mexico City and often attract enormous crowds.
Regular concerts are often hosted at the Foro Sol stadium, a large sports and concert venue opened in 1995 and featuring a maximum capacity of up to 50,000 people. Classical music concerts often take place at Mexico City's Imperial Palace of Maximilian of Hapsburg, which is known for its acoustics and attracts large orchestras, while the annual opera season is based at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The main festivals and notable cultural events in Mexico City are below.
Mexico City Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- Exposición de Anticuarios (Antiques Exposition) - mid-January, important and valuable antiques are displayed at the Mexico City Museum
February
- Dia de la Bandera (Day of the Flag) - February 24th, a true celebration of the city's independence, where flags are raised high above the city and vendors sell smaller red, white and green Mexican flags, so that everyone has something to wave and join in the fun
- Festival del Centro Histórico (Historic Centre Festival) - late February / early March, one of the most notable events in Mexico City takes place at this time of year within the Centro Histórico and draws crowds approaching one million
- Muestra Coreográfica Contemporánea (Exhibition of Contemporary Choreography) - throughout February, a time for dance, with many performances within the Chapultepec district
March
- Foro Bazar Cultural del Comic y la Historieta (Comic Book Fair) - early March, large numbers of comics, memorabilia and rare copies are offered for sale at the beginning of March, in the Basilio Badillo's Foro Bazar venue
- Festival Eurojazz - late March, this week-long event features a series of jazz performances at the Blas Galindo Auditorium, attracting many prominent jazz musicians, singers and bands
April
- Semana Santa / Holy Week - early April, one of the religious highlights in Mexico City, with an enormous re-enactment of the Passion Play (Representación de la Pasión de Cristo) within the south-easterly Iztapalapa district and Palm Sunday parades
- Dia Internacional de la Danza (Day of International Dance) - late April, this national event is enjoyed by many locals and visitors in Mexico City, with workshops, performances and a long dance marathon based at the Colonia Country Club
- Festividades del Dia del Nino (Children's Day) - April 30th, this family orientated event is based around the Centro Histórico district of Mexico City and features a range of free entertainment for children, including puppet shows, games and workshops
May
- Festival Anual Alternativo de Danza (Annual Festival of Alternative Dance) - early May, a cultural event with much more than just dancing, held at the Flying Circus venue on the Calzada de la Viga
- Concurso Internacional de Elegancia para Autos de Colección - early May, this classic car event is always a crowd puller and takes place each May at La Marquesa and attracts an array of beautiful vehicles from yesteryear
- Festejos del Dia Internacional de los Museos (International Museum Day) - mid-May, this popular themed event is held each year in Mexico City on May 18th and more than 100 museums across the city take part, offering guided tours, workshops and more
- Bienal Internacional del Juguete Objeto (Internationa Bienniel Toy Art Object Show) - late May / early June, taking place every other year, this show celebrates the designs of functional toys which are used for much more than simply to amuse children, held at the Academia
June
- Festival de Jazz en la Escuela Superior de Música (Jazz Festival) - mid-June, those with a love of jazz music should not miss the many concerts and talented jazz musicians performing at the National Art Centre, completely free of charge
- Fiesta de Santa Ana (Saint Ana Festival) - June 26th, marching bands, crowds of thousands, fairground rides, fireworks and plenty of local Mexico City specialities are all things that you can expect to find at the Saint Ana Festival
- Festival Annual Metropolitano de Danza Folklórica (Folk Dance Festival) - throughout June, lasting two weeks, this is a chance to enjoy Mexican folk dancing at its best, held at the university campus
- Feria Anual de San Pedro Tláhuac (Annual San Perdo Fair) - late June, taking place close to the city's government offices and featuring a host of sporting events, such as soccer and cycling, along with live music, dancing and a fireworks display
July
- Festival Anual de Cine de San Francisco (International Film Festival) - early July, a Hollywood-style event hosted at the Plaza Condesa cinema and full of glamour
- Temporada Anual del Hipódromo de las Américas (Horse Racing) - mid-July, lovers of horse racing in Mexico City head to the Hipódromo de las Americas to watch the races and try to win some money
- Temporada Anual de la Liga Mexicana de Béisbol (Mexican League of Baseball) - mid-July, baseball clubs from around the country compete in Mexico City, at the Foro Sol Stadium, which has a capacity of up to 50,000
- Fiesta Anual de Santiago Apóstol (Saint Santiago's Festival) - July 25th, this special religious day in Mexico City features fairground rides, music, dancing, food stalls and many religious services at the main churches, particularly around the southern side of the city
- Festival por el Aniversario Luctuoso de Bach (Bach Festival) - July 29th, a major classical music event in Mexico City, with concerts at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, attracting famous musicians
- Festival Internacional de Titeres (Annual Puppet Festival) - throughout July, particularly appealing to young children and families in general, this puppet festival features all kinds of marionettes and regular shows
August
- Fiesta de Agustin de las Cuevas en Tlalpan (San Agustin de las Cuevas Festival) - late August, those attending this popular festival will be able to enjoy horse rising, costumed parades, folk dancing, plenty of tasty dishes and various activities, held around the Tlalpan district
September
- Temporada Anual de Conciertos Infantiles (Concerts for Children) - mid-September, classical music concerts targetted at children of all ages take place at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, located within central Mexico City
- Grito de la Independencia / Fiestas Patrias (Independence Day) - September 16th, the 200-year-old rebellion against the Spanish is remembered on this day and enormous crowds tend to gather around the Zócalo on the eve on this national holiday, often shouting 'Viva Mexico'. The grand fireworks display over Mexico City's cathedral is always particularly memorable
October
- Tianguis del Dia de Muertos en Xochimilco - mid to late October, the latter two weeks of the month see a large market in Mexico City, where many local handicrafts are sold. Based around the Explanada de la Delegación, highlights include dancing, flower stalls and many handmade items of interest
November
- Festival Nacional de Pantomima (Festival of Mime) - throughout November, various venues feature silent shows with performances by mime artists
- Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead / Skulls Festival) - mid-November, the lead up to this national event in Mexico City is often as appealing as the Day of the Dead itself, with offerings (ofrendas) made throughout the city and vigils held at the Panteón Civil de Dolores cemetery and festivities around the National Centre of the Arts
- Fiesta de Santa Cecilla - November 22nd, the much-loved patron saint of musicians is remembered, with festivities based around the Plaza Garibaldi
- Muestra Internacional de Cine (International Cinema Festival) - November / December, lasting two months, many cinemas around Mexico City join in this event and screen films throughout the day
- Feria Anual Tradicional del Sarape (Annual Sarape Fair) - early December, this traditional blanket is an iconic piece of clothing in Mexico and sold in large numbers at the popular trade fair, which lasts almost two weeks and also features fairground rides, a carnival procession, arts and crafts stalls and many other fun attractions
- Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe) - December 12th, this event is the culmination of around ten days of celebrations, honouring the country's famous religious patron. Mexican musicians perform outside of the basilica, in front of large crowds, when literally millions of pilgrims arrive
December
- Latin American Festival of Pastorelas - mid-December, the lead up to Christmas festivities includes this event, which tells the story of the nativity
- Feria de la Pinata (Pinata Fair) - mid-December, full of Mexican character, this event is centred around Alcoman, close to Mexico City, and features all kinds of brightly coloured pinatas, both for sale and on display
- Feria de la Nochebuena y Articulos Navidenos - late December, a truly seasonal market, filled with local handicrafts and a great place to pick up last-minute presents, plants and flowers for Christmas