FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN NOVEMBER
October Fair
Date: October 3 – November 4
Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco
This is one of the largest fairs in the country, taking place at the Benito Juárez Auditorium and other locations across Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, and Tlajomulco.
The Fiestas feature a wide variety of artistic and cultural performances, along with multiple recreational activities.
The event includes a commercial zone where you can taste the best dishes from Jalisco and discover many surprises.
Other traditional spaces include the Canica Azul, the Mansion of Terror, amusement rides, and the Main Stage.
Tlalpujahua Christmas Ornament Fair
Date: October 3 – December 16
Location: Tlalpujahua, Michoacán
This Magical Town dresses up to celebrate and showcase some of the most beautiful blown glass Christmas spheres, as well as other holiday decorations. Over 300 artisans participate in the fair, displaying their exquisite Christmas ornaments.
All artisans gather at the Municipal Auditorium to showcase their products, but you can also find these beautiful ornaments in various shops throughout the town.
In addition to Christmas ornaments, there are other regional handicrafts available for purchase, including brass objects, rustic furniture, cantera stone pieces, and a wide variety of ceramics. Visitors can also enjoy a rich gastronomic display.
Feria de la Frontera Sur EXPOFER
Date: October 17 – November 3
Location: Chetumal, Quintana Roo
This fair celebrates the culture and traditions of the region. It features livestock and agricultural exhibitions, commercial and craft pavilions, cultural forums, amusement rides, family attractions, shows, concerts, sports events, and gastronomic displays.
Tlaxcala Fair
Date: October 23 – November 17
Location: Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala
This is the largest celebration in Tlaxcala, where tradition, fun, history, and color come together. It features a traditional bullfighting arena and a local theater, showcasing top-tier artists.
The fair offers an attractive and extensive program, including a commercial area, livestock exhibits, bullfights, amusement rides, sports tournaments, popular dances, delicious cuisine, and various family-friendly shows.
The coronation of the queen is a highlight, culminating in a grand dance featuring a renowned artist or band.
Festival of the Skulls
Date: October 24 – November 2
Location: Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
This is one of the most important festivals in the city, aimed at rescuing and preserving the traditions of the Day of the Dead in a festive setting. The celebration also pays tribute to José Guadalupe Posada, a renowned engraver and illustrator from Aguascalientes.
It takes place at Isla San Marcos and is a blend of magic, fun, and mysticism.
The festivities include a Skulls Parade along Avenida Madero in the Historic Center, featuring floats and groups in traditional costumes. Additionally, there are culinary and craft exhibits, processions, street theater, concerts by the Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra, film showcases, music festivals, and much more.
All Saints Fair
Date: October 24 – November 9
Location: Colima, Colima
This is one of the most anticipated fairs in the state. The celebration includes amusement rides, culinary and craft showcases, as well as the typical Palenque where renowned artists perform.
Festival of Candles – Uruapan
Date: October 25 – November 2
Location: Uruapan, Michoacán
This festival honors the ancient Purépecha indigenous tradition of lighting candles, symbols of light, life, and hope, transforming Uruapan into a magical place full of color and spirituality. The lighting of candles represents the light that guides the souls of the departed on their journey.
The mystical atmosphere is enhanced by music, art, dance, and a wide range of activities, including visits to the impressive altars and offerings displayed throughout Uruapan.
There are also craft markets and traditional food stands.
Festival of Souls – Valle de Bravo
Date: October 25 – November 2
Location: Valle de Bravo, State of Mexico
This event combines music, dance, cinema, theater, and art in a unique setting. The streets of this Pueblo Mágico come alive with colors, marigold flowers, traditional altars, and countless cultural expressions.
The festival features concerts by national and international artists, theater performances, visual arts exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, workshops, and monumental altars, as well as parades of catrinas and catrines and other popular expressions.
Zacatecas Day of the Dead Festival
Date: October 27 – November 3
Location: Zacatecas, Zacatecas
This celebration embraces the rich tradition of the Day of the Dead. The festivities include a contest for arches and facade decoration, showcasing creativity and devotion to fill the city with color.
A concert is held at the Plaza de Armas, often becoming an emotional and moving musical experience honoring La Catrina.
There are also contests for altars and sawdust carpets that highlight the creativity of local artists.
Rosario Castellanos Festival
Date: October 29 – November 2
Location: Comitán de Domínguez, Chiapas
A festival organized by the State Council for Culture and the Arts of Chiapas, offering various concerts in public venues, musical events, theater performances, and much more.
Day of the Dead Festival – Guanajuato
Date: October 29 – November 2
Location: Guanajuato, Guanajuato
For five days, this beautiful colonial city fills with music, dance, theater, parades, video mapping, exhibitions, and tours honoring the memory of the departed.
It opens with the traditional Xantolo Dance and performances of the classic play Don Juan Tenorio. The video mapping show takes place at the Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato. Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy mojiganga and macabre callejoneada processions, altar lightings, alfeñiqueand catrina contests, skull parades, horror film screenings, and multiple musical performances. El videomapping se lleva a cabo en la Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato. A lo largo del evento hay recorridos de mojigangas y callejoneadas macabras por el centro histórico, así como encendido de altares, concursos de alfeñiques y catrinas, desfiles de calaveras y catrinas, funciones de cine de terror y múltiples espectáculos musicales.
Alfeñique Fair
Date: October 1 – November 4
Location: Toluca, State of Mexico
This is a colorful event held in the city center, specifically around the Portales and the Cathedral of San José.
The word alfeñique is of Arabic origin and refers to a cooked sugar paste, stretched into thin rods and twisted. Nowadays, this term refers to sugar glass figures made for Day of the Dead.
These sweet treats, shaped like coffins, skulls, crosses, sheep, deer, bones, processions, angels, animals, and fruits, are sold at the fair. You can also enjoy other traditional sweets like dulce de leche, jamoncilla, amaranth candy, tamarinds, cocadas, and many more.
The celebration also includes traditional altar displays, a zombie parade, and the Llorona in the Portal 20 de Noviembre, as well as various representations of La Catrina, mummies, and other iconic Day of the Dead characters.
The fair also features cultural events like dance, music, theater, exhibitions, conferences, a gastronomic showcase, concerts, book presentations, workshops, video screenings, and competitions.
Day of the Dead Festival – Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
Date: October 30 – November 2
Location: Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Guerrero
This festival blends culture, art, gastronomy, and color in one of Mexico’s most beautiful Pacific destinations. The area comes alive with lights, music, and offerings.
Highlights include the lighting of the monumental Catrina figure, the “Walk of Light and Butterflies,” and the Festival del Pan de Muerto, Café y Mezcal, where local bakeries and restaurants offer traditional treats alongside musical performances.
Other events include the Illuminated Boat Parade in Zihuatanejo Bay, the Traditional Catrina Parade, the Hotel Association’s Altar Contest, and the Mixology Festival, which combines flavors, creativity, and live music.
Festival of Light and Life – Chignahuapan
Date: October 30 – November 2
Location: Chignahuapan, Puebla
This is an event full of mysticism, art, tradition, and spirituality. The beautiful setting of the Sierra Norte of Puebla provides the perfect backdrop to celebrate a festival that fuses the Day of the Dead with the symbolism of fire and light as elements of purification and guidance for returning souls.
The Light and Life Show is a monumental performance held along the Chignahuapan lagoon, combining theater, pre-Hispanic dance, projections, live music, and spectacular lighting and fireworks to represent the soul’s journey from darkness to light.
The celebration also features catrina parades, monumental altars, sawdust carpets, literary skull contests, offerings, cultural activities, regional music, crafts, and traditional snacks.
Day of the Dead Celebrations
Date: November 1 and 2
Location: Nationwide
The Day of the Dead is one of the most representative traditions of Mexican culture. On November 1, the souls of children are honored, and on November 2, the souls of adults.
The celebration includes a syncretism of pre-Hispanic cultures and the Catholic religion brought by Spanish evangelizers.
One of the traditions of this celebration is the altars, so it is common for both homes and public places to set up altars with photos of the deceased, foods they liked, seasonal sweets such as sugar skulls and pan de muerto, and colorful marigolds.
These altars are also placed on the graves of the deceased, accompanied by hundreds of candles that illuminate the path for the souls returning home.
Monarch Butterfly Season
Date: November to March
Location: Michoacán and Estado de Mexico
In the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, these lepidopterans arrive each year from Canada and the northern United States. The reserve covers over 16,100 hectares and is located in the municipalities of Contepec, Senguío, Angangueo, Ocampo, Zitácuaro, and Áporo in Michoacán, and Temascaltepec, San Felipe del Progreso, Donato Guerra, and Villa de Allende in the State of Mexico.
To observe this beautiful spectacle, various sanctuaries can be visited.
Rockstar Fest León
Date: November 1 and 2
Location: León, Guanajuato
This event brings together some of the most iconic national and international rock bands. It’s designed for rock lovers to discover new bands and share their passion for punk, metal, and alternative rock.
The experience includes food trucks, rest areas, alternative markets, vinyl stands, urban art, and spaces for interaction between bands and fans.
November Festivities – Puerto Escondido
Date: November 1–30
Location: Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
One of the most vibrant events on the Oaxacan coast, this festival combines music, color, culture, gastronomy, and sports.
It begins with the traditional Calenda Inaugural followed by the Opening Concert. Among the main events are a sawdust carpet exhibition, the Catrina Paddle Parade, the Children’s Basketball Club Festival, the MTB Marathon, and the Calenda del Mercado Benito Juárez.
Sports competitions include the International Sailfish Tournament, the BMX Flatland International Tournament, the Open Water Challenge, the National Youth Beach Volleyball Championship, the Puerto Escondido Half Marathon, and the Water Polo Tournament.
The festival also features a seaside Guelaguetza, filled with music, dance, and tradition.
Las Cuatro Casas International Festival
Date: November 2
Location: Parque Naucalli, Naucalpan, State of Mexico
This festival brings together music, culture, and alternative energy, featuring Latin American rock, reggae, ska, and punk bands as expressions of urban identity.
It includes artists from across Latin America and is free to the public.
Corona Capital
Date: November 14–16
Location: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City
This festival has become one of the most important music festivals in the city, featuring nearly 50 international acts performing over two days.
It takes place in Curve 4 of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
Balloon Festival in León FIG
Date: November 14–16
Location: León, Guanajuato
Over four days, you can witness more than 200 balloons in the sky of León, providing a unique spectacle. The festival includes participation from balloonists from around the world.
If you would like to experience a hot air balloon ride, this festival is a great option. Additionally, you can enjoy an unparalleled mix of culinary, musical, and entertainment experiences, including live concerts, fireworks shows, dance and music performances, and a wide variety of culinary options for the whole family.
Food & Wine Festival Mexico City
Date: November 8–9
Location: Jardines del Campo Marte, Mexico City
This festival is for food lovers, featuring various experiences over two days where attendees can learn about gourmet products, spirits, beer, sake, and wines from experts, as well as enjoy dishes created by the best chefs in the country, showcasing Mexican, international, and exotic cuisine.
Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
International Livestock Fair of Querétaro
Date: November 14–30
Location: Querétaro, Querétaro
This fair has become one of the most important in the country. It features an impressive livestock exhibition attended by the best ranchers in Mexico.
There is also a horse festival, quarter horse exhibitions, goat judging, beginner beekeeping, among many other activities.
Additionally, there is entertainment such as a mechanical rides circuit, children's shows, circus performances, and artisanal, commercial, and gastronomic exhibitions, along with musical performances by nationally and internationally renowned artists.
Chiapas Fair
Date: November 28 to December 14
Location: Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas
This annual event celebrates Chiapas’ culture and traditions, including its Indigenous heritage, gastronomy, and unique handicrafts.
The fair features various themed pavilions showcasing the state’s diversity, such as the Handicrafts Pavilion, Gastronomic Pavilion, and the Livestock and Agricultural Pavilion. It also offers an attractive musical program.
Guadalajara International Book Fair
Date: November 29 – December 7
Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco
This fair is the most important editorial gathering in Ibero-America and an extraordinary cultural festival.
It is a fair for professionals where the public is welcome, distinguishing it from other major fairs held worldwide. In addition to being a business meeting, the FIL is also a cultural festival, with a program featuring authors from all continents and different languages. Furthermore, it serves as a space for academic discussion on significant current issues.
The event includes music, art, film, and theater from the guest country.
The FIL takes place at Expo Guadalajara.
National Tequila Fair
Date: November 29 to December 14
Location: Tequila, Jalisco
The most important event in this world-famous Pueblo Mágico, renowned for its tequila tradition and spectacular agave landscapes.
During the fair, attendees can enjoy a wide range of activities, including distillery tours and tastings of different tequila varieties.
It features live music performances, with genres such as mariachi, banda, and other traditional regional styles. Visitors can also enjoy folk dances, charrería competitions, parades, handicraft exhibitions, art workshops, and food stands serving typical dishes like birria, tamales, and the traditional tortas ahogadas.
The fair also includes the coronation of the Fair Queen, sports events, and equestrian exhibitions.
National Silver Fair
Date: November 29 to December 6
Location: Taxco, Guerrero
This annual fair celebrates and honors the silversmithing art that has made Taxco world-renowned. Held for decades, its main purpose is to promote and preserve Mexico’s artisanal silverworking tradition.
The fair includes a wide array of activities: silverwork exhibitions, the National Silversmithing Competition, handicraft displays, a gastronomic showcase, and cultural and artistic events featuring folkloric groups and local bands. Parades are also part of the festivities.
Tecalitlán Fair
Date: November 29 to December 13
Location: Tecalitlán, Jalisco
This major celebration combines tradition, culture, and entertainment in the land of mariachi.
The artistic lineup brings together well-known performers of regional Mexican music, local groups, and emerging talents. There are also popular dances, rodeos (jaripeos), charreadas, and traditional parades.
Gastronomic and artisanal exhibitions allow visitors to discover and enjoy local products.
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