Summary
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico in July, it’s important to note that this month typically marks the onset of the rainy season across central and southern regions of the country. Therefore, be sure to include a raincoat or umbrella in your packing list. Rain usually arrives in the afternoons and evenings; however, daytime often remains sunny and relatively dry. This means your sightseeing plans can likely continue without interruption. Additionally, Mexican schools observe summer vacations during this period, leading to many families engaging in travel, which makes early travel arrangements a wise decision for anyone heading to Mexico in the summertime. Read on for the most significant festivals and events taking place in Mexico this month.
Guelaguetza Festival
This vibrant cultural festival showcases the traditional dances from the various regions of Oaxaca state. It attracts visitors from around the globe and is sometimes called Lunes del Cerro (Mondays on the Hill), as it occurs on the last two Mondays of July in an auditorium that overlooks Oaxaca de Juarez city. Many additional activities happen in the area during the two weeks surrounding the festival, including a mezcal fair.
Guanajuato Film Festival
The colonial mining town of Guanajuato hosts one of the largest film festivals in Mexico and is a significant event in Latin America. Originally called Expresion en Corto, this festival emphasizes short films, videos, and documentaries. Various venues in Guanajuato city and nearby San Miguel de Allende screen the films, with free admission to all screenings and events.
Jornadas Villistas
This week-long celebration honors the life of the Mexican revolutionary icon, Francisco “Pancho” Villa, in his home state of Chihuahua. The festivities coincide with the anniversary of Villa’s death on July 20, 1923, and culminate in the Cabalgata Villista, a horseback ride covering 136 miles from Chihuahua to Hidalgo del Parral.
Ruta del Vino Bike Ride and Wine Festival
Experience the scenic beauty of Mexico’s wine-producing region, the Guadalupe Valley in Baja California state, as you embark on a bike ride past 25 wineries. The juxtaposition of sweet grape aromas and refreshing Pacific breezes enhances this picturesque landscape. Conclude your ride at Rondo del Valle vineyard, where you can partake in a wine festival showcasing local varieties, accompanied by delicious food and live music.
Whale Shark Festival
During the summer months, a remarkable number of whale sharks inhabit the waters north of Isla Mujeres on the Yucatan Peninsula. This festival offers a delightful blend of local culture and gastronomy, enabling participants to engage in popular aquatic activities such as sportfishing, diving, snorkeling tours, and swimming with these majestic creatures, which hold the title of the largest fish in the world and are an endangered species.
Feria Nacional Durango
The state fair in Durango celebrates the region’s ranching and agricultural heritage, featuring equestrian events, charreadas (Mexican rodeo), and various cultural activities, accompanied by popular music concerts. Past performers have included renowned artists such as Jesse & Joy, Napoleon, Pepe Aguilar, Cristian Castro, and Enrique Iglesias.
Fiestas de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival)
If you’ve always wanted to crush grapes with your feet, this festival hosted by La Redonda in the central Mexican state of Queretaro is your chance. The grape harvest celebration occurs in the latter half of July and includes wine tastings, a commemorative glass, and the unique experience of feeling the grapes beneath your toes.
Cantoya Fest
Each year, the beautiful town of Patzcuaro in Michoacán state hosts Cantoya Fest, where the sky fills with a spectacle of giant paper balloons. Local artisans demonstrate their artistic skills and compete in various categories, reinforcing community bonds through this important cultural tradition.
Festival Internacional de Folclor (International Folklore Festival)
Each year, Zacatecas hosts a week-long international folklore festival that kicks off on the last Sunday of July. With participation from 20 countries and 10 Mexican states, this festival beautifully showcases a spectrum of cultural representations through dance, crafts, and cuisine.
