Guelaguetza Oaxaca 2026: Events, Tickets, and Festival Tips

La Guelaguetza is a vibrant July festival that brings together communities from across the state of Oaxaca to share their traditional music, food, and dance in honor of a centuries-old tradition of connection and reciprocity.

If you’re planning to go to La Guelaguetza 2026, you’re in for a celebration unlike any other. But with so many parades and other events throughout the month of July, it can be hard to know what to prioritize.

I’ve attended the Guelaguetza Festival four times while living in Oaxaca. I put together this guide to help you navigate it all. It includes tips for watching the parades, how to buy tickets for Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, and what to do if you don’t get them.

Spoiler: If you’re like me, you’ll find the small-town celebrations are more fun anyhow.

Whether you’re able to get tickets to the Guelaguetza performances in the auditorium or you find yourself dancing in a small-town parade, I hope you’ll leave with a deeper connection to Oaxacan culture.

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When is Guelaguetza Celebrated?

La Guelaguetza Festival is celebrated on the last two Mondays of July, known as Los Lunes del Cerro. Guelaguetza 2026 will be held on July 20 and July 27. However, there are celebrations throughout the month of July, with parades, dances, and other cultural events in both Oaxaca City and small towns throughout the state.

What is Guelaguetza?

La Guelaguetza is a cultural celebration in Oaxaca that celebrates Oaxacan culture through folkloric dances, colorful parades, food and mezcal tastings. The word Guelaguetza comes from the Zapotec language and translates to “reciprocal exchange of gifts and services.” At its core, it reflects the values of community and reciprocity.

In Oaxaca, Guelaguetza is more than just an annual event. Although the festival itself is in July, the spirit of Guelaguetza is woven into daily life through traditions of sharing and mutual support. If you’d like more background, I dive into the history of Guelaguetza towards the end of this article.

Guelaguetza events in Oaxaca City alone include numerous concerts, mezcal fairs, food festivals, parades, and much more. When you add in the dozen or so smaller Guelaguetza celebrations in the nearby pueblos, you can see why it’s referred to as La Fiesta Máxima (The Ultimate Party).

Although it’s crowded, this is an incredible time to be in the city as it celebrates one of the most anticipated festivals in Oaxaca.

Let’s take a closer look at the things to do during Guelaguetza. Don’t get too hung up on creating an itinerary. Some events aren’t announced until closer to the festival, so flexibility is key. But rest assured, there will be plenty of celebrations, parades, and dance performances to experience throughout the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca.

La Guelaguetza kicks off with a series of parades. They go by different names (convite, desfile, etc) depending on the occasion. I’ll explain more below.

Tip – If you’re interested in taking pictures, arrive at the start of the parade about an hour early. There are some nice moments while the groups are waiting for the parade to begin. The bands will impromptu play which then inspires the groups to dance.

Disclaimer: I update the Guelaguetza dates as events are announced but the dates and locations are subject to change, even last minute. Changes are more likely to occur with smaller events so I recommend checking FB pages (when provided) to confirm the date, time, and location before you go.

La Diosa Centéotl – The Corn Goddess

Before the Guelaguetza Festival can begin, La Diosa Centéotl (The Corn Goddess) must be chosen to represent the essence of Oaxaca throughout the celebrations.

Over the course of two nights in late June or early July, more than 40 women compete for the title. The event resembles a beauty pageant except here, beauty isn’t measured by appearance. It’s defined by the embodiment of culture and tradition.

Every woman is a prominent cultural promoter in their community. Every woman has exceptional knowledge of the traditions, languages, and customs of their community. Every woman proudly represents their region of Oaxaca.

Convites – Invitational Parades

For two consecutive weekends before Los Lunes del Cerro (Mondays on the Hill), the city comes alive with convites. These parades serve as both an announcement and an invitation to the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca.

Since the Central Valleys region is inviting the rest of the state, the convites feature participants from Oaxaca City and nearby pueblos. Alongside the iconic Chinas Oaxaqueñas (pictured above), other towns such as Ocotlán, Teotitlán, Zaachila, and Tlacolula also take part in the festivities.

Desfile de Delegaciones – Parade of Delegations

Now that the people of Oaxaca have been invited, La Guelaguetza can begin, with more parades of course!

This time, the parade participants expand to include communities from throughout the state of Oaxaca. These are the same groups that will perform at the main event, Los Lunes del Cerro, the following Mondays.

Since these parades take place during the height of the festival, it’s extremely busy. To get a spot in the front, you may need to get there an hour or two ahead of time. Personally, I don’t like to wait, so in the past I’ve arrived just before the parades begins to find a spot.

I recommend catching this parade near Llano park or later along the route because the area where the parade starts is lacking the historic charm of Oaxaca centro.

At the Guelaguetza parades and performances, participants share more than just their traditional dress and regional dances. They also bring gifts from their region.

After each performance, the dancers toss gifts into the crowd: fresh produce, bread, and even handcrafted items like woven baskets or hats. At the parades, don’t be surprised if someone offers you a sip of mezcal.

These acts reflect the meaning of guelaguetza itself, a practice rooted in generosity, reciprocity, and sharing what you have with your community.

Donají La Leyenda

The Zapotec legend of Donají is a tale of love between a Zapotec princess and a Mixtec warrior prince that ultimately ends in sacrifice. The legend is brought to life through music and dance in Donají La Leyenda.

The performance takes place in the auditorium on the two Sundays leading up to Los Lunes del Cerro. And while it’s much easier to purchase tickets than the main event, it’s best to buy them a few weeks or more in advance if you want your choice of seats.

The show is in Spanish, but don’t let that stop you from attending. Through interpretive dance and music, the emotions of the story are easy to follow if you know the storyline. I recommend you read the full legend here (use translation) or a short version here.

Los Lunes del Cerro – The Mondays on the Hill

The centerpiece of La Guelaguetza Festival is Los Lunes del Cerro (Mondays on the Hill) which features a morning and afternoon show each Monday.

Through dance, music, and traditional clothing, they showcase the unique traditions of their communities. The atmosphere is one of deep pride and celebration, as Oaxaqueños gather to witness the cultural heritage of the 8 different regions of the state.

How to Buy Tickets for Guelaguetza in Oaxaca

While I linked to the website above, buying tickets to La Guelaguetza when they go on sale is nearly impossible. Both the presale and general sale sell out within minutes. And there are long lines to buy tickets in person.

Some people turn to second-hand tickets, which is a viable option with caution. The biggest risks are counterfeit tickets and overpaying, as scalpers drive up prices and make it harder for locals to attend.

That said, it is possible to buy legitimate tickets at a fair price. One year, I purchased tickets from a woman who was asking slightly more than face value. But she explained that the extra cost covered someone waiting in line to purchase them.

Since the price difference was small and she seemed trustworthy, I felt comfortable with the purchase. If you go this route, use your best judgment and educate yourself on the original price beforehand. Tickets in Section A and B sell for 1300 to 1600 pesos.

Free Guelaguetza Tickets

There is also a free seating section near the back of the auditorium, available on a first-come, first-served basis. But the line for these seats can be long. One year, my friend suggested arriving at 3 am for the 10 am show—a 7 hour wait! In recent years, it hasn’t been as extreme, but it still requires waiting in line for hours.

Even without a ticket, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the Guelaguetza Festival. Performances in the pueblos, street parades, and other celebrations bring the festival to life beyond the auditorium, often in more intimate and immersive settings. Let’s go over those events now.

Guelaguetza Popular

Not everyone agrees with the commercialization of Oaxaca’s biggest festival. That’s why, more than 15 years ago, locals created Guelaguetza Popular—an alternative celebration that prioritizes Guelaguetza for the people, by the people.

The event follows a similar structure to the official festival but is condensed into one weekend. It kicks off with a convite (invitational parade), followed by a massive parade through the city that shuts down part of main highway in the north. The festival culminates in its own Guelaguetza performance on the first Monday of the festival.

I think the big parade is one of the best parades of Guelaguetza because instead of standing on the sidelines, you can join in. True to its slogan, “by the people, for the people,” Guelaguetza Popular strips away the commercial aspects and brings the festival back to it’s core: a celebration of community.

Small Town Guelaguetza Festivities

Whether you’re able to buy tickets to La Guelaguetza in the auditorium or not, it’s worth experiencing one of the celebrations in the small towns. These smaller festivals often feel more personal and connected to the community.

I recommend arriving at least an hour before the actual event begins because there is always food and a parade before the main performance, which is sometimes located on a hill just like in the city.

I’ve had some of my most memorable Guelaguetza experiences in these towns. Here are some of my favorites. I’ve included a link to the city’s Facebook page when available. They will post details closer to the event.

San Antonino Castillo Velasco

San Antonino Castillo Velasco hosts its own Lunes del Cerro celebration in the afternoons featuring the same dance groups that perform at the Guelaguetza Auditorium in Oaxaca City that morning.

The celebration begins in the main square with live music, food, and artisan stalls before a lively parade winds through town to El Cerro. Before climbing the hill, you’ll find a large tent filled with food vendors serving everything from lamb barbacoa to empanadas de amarillo, a local specialty.

The stage sits atop the hill, surrounded by bleachers that are free to the public. If you prefer a closer view, chairs in front of the stage are available for a small fee. Keep in mind, the walk to the stage includes a dirt path and a short but steep hill—comfortable shoes and a rain jacket or umbrella are a good idea, just in case.

Cuilápam de Guerrero

Just outside Oaxaca City, Cuilápam de Guerrero hosts another of my favorite Guelaguetza celebrations in the region. Before the festivities begin, take time to explore the town’s striking ex-convent, a partially finished 16th-century Dominican monastery.

When my friend and I arrived, there was already a party underway in the tents out front—we sat back with a michelada until the parade led us to the nearby field where the Guelaguetza performances took place.

The multi day celebrations include Encuentro de la Danza de la Pluma, which features a dance that is believed to have originated in Cuilápam and today is practiced in throughout the region. For this event, nearby towns like Zaachila, San Bartolo Coyotepec, and Teotitlán del Valle gather to perform this traditional dance.

La Danza de la Pluma reenacts the Spanish conquest through the depiction of two warring factions – the Spanish and the Mexicas. Dancers wear large semicircular headdresses made from over 3,000 brightly colored feathers and embedded with mirrors that represent the moon and stars.

Zaachila – La Fiesta Grande del Cerrito

Located less than an hour south of Oaxaca City, Villa de Zaachila also hosts one of the more exciting Guelaguetza celebrations outside the capital. The weekend includes parades, food, and a community Guelaguetza performance held at El Cerrito, the town’s archaeological zone in the center.

The celebration begins with a parade through the streets, leading to El Cerrito, where the performance takes place. You can buy a ticket for a seat near the stage, or do what my friends and I did—find a spot on the grassy hill and enjoy the show, just be prepared for limited shade.

Mitla – Parade and Guelaguetza

The main events in Mitla occur on the Sunday before the second Monday of Guelaguetza. There is a parade at 12 pm, followed by a Guelaguetza performance.

Ocotlán Guelaguetza

Guelaguetza in Ocotlán starts with a parade in the main square at 1:30 pm followed by a Guelaguetza performance at Parque Los Sabinos. I have yet to go to this Guelaguetza performance, but I believe the park is a bit of a walk out of town so keep that in mind.

Artisan, Food, + Mezcal Fairs

Beyond the parades and performances, La Guelaguetza is also a celebration of the flavors and craftsmanship that define Oaxaca. Throughout the month, artisan, food, and mezcal fairs are held in the city and surrounding towns.

Many of the surrounding Central Valley pueblos are known for a specific craft, and these fairs highlight the artisans—sometimes with demonstrations inside traditional workshops.

Oaxaca Mezcal Fair

The Oaxaca Mezcal Fair is one of the most anticipated events of La Guelaguetza, bringing together over 300 Oaxacan producers in one place. While mezcal is the star of the show, you’ll also find local brewers, coffee roasters, traditional foods, and artisans showcasing their work.

Before you start tasting mezcal, make sure to fill your belly with traditional Oaxacan dishes at the Semana de los Antojos event next door. And after, check out the Oaxacan crafts at the Guelaguetza Artisan Fair.

Festival of Moles

At this culinary event, you can taste the traditional moles of Oaxaca. The location is inside the Gastronomic Center in Centro, an open air space with booths and tables inside.

A mole tasting is one of the top things to do in the city and now you can incorporate it into your Guelageutza experience. In years past, tickets needed to be purchased in advance. They have yet to announce for 2026. 

Torneo de Pelota Mixteca – Ballgame Tournament

One of the newest Guelaguetza events is a Mixteca ballgame tournament located at Pasajuegos Benito Juarez on the UABJO campus south of the city.

This tournament is a modern version of the ballgame that was an integral part of the ceremonies at what are now archeological sites in Oaxaca.

Artisan Fair – Arte de Mi Pueblo

In past years during Guelaguetza, various towns hosted their own artisan fairs. It’s a great way to buy directly from the artists if you don’t have time to visit the workshops. But this year, their all in one location: Parque Primavera Oaxaqueña. The event also highlights the pueblos mágicos of Oaxaca.

Concerts in the Zocalo

Throughout the month of July, the city hosts numerous free concerts. Musicians from throughout the state and a wide range of genres perform in the afternoons and evenings. The schedule is announced periodically on the official Guelaguetza FB page.

Festival of Tejate and Tamales

Tejate is a uniquely Oaxacan drink that isn’t commonly found in other parts of Mexico. This pre-Hispanic blend of maize, mamey seed, cacao, and rosita de cacao flowers is known as the “drink of the gods.”

The Festival of Tejate and Tamales brings together more than 50 vendors selling a selection of tejate-based drinks and tamales. You’ll have the chance to taste tejate in its traditional form as well as in creative variations like coconut tejate and tejate-based ice cream, cookies, and cakes. The tamales feature traditional mole and bean fillings as well as specialty tamales.

Tlayuda Festival – San Antonio de la Cal

San Antonio de la Cal claims to be the birthplace of the tlayuda, a signature Oaxacan food. Visitors will be able to learn all about tlayudas—from preparing the corn dough for the large tortilla used as the base to cooking the tlayuda on the comal.

For the festival, over a dozen women set up their tlayuda stands in the square in front of the church in San Antonio de la Cal. In 2025, the festival centered around securing the Guinness World Record for the largest tlayuda ever made.

La Gran Fiesta de Mezcal in Santiago Matatlán

It’s only fitting for the town titled the “World Capital of Mezcal,” to host its own mezcal festival during Guelaguetza.

Santiago Matatlán produces an average of 40% of the mezcal in all of Mexico. So in an effort to shine a light on the traditions of their mezcaleros, they have organized what they call The Great Mezcal Party.

The event includes a parade, workshops, music, and lots of mezcal tastings of course.

History of La Guelaguetza in Oaxaca

The history of guelaguetza as a cultural practice dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The term itself comes from the Zapotec word guendalezaa, meaning “offering” or “gift,” and reflects the Oaxacan values of reciprocity and community.

Some sources suggest that long before the modern festival began, the Zapotecs held ceremonies in honor of the corn goddess on a hill they called Daninayaaloani, or “hill of beautiful view.” This is the same hill known today as Cerro del Fortín, where the current Guelaguetza performances takes place.

The rituals included dances, offerings, and feasts that were dedicated to the harvest. While the celebration has evolved over time, the practice of guelaguetza—mutual support and reciprocity—is deeply rooted in Oaxacan culture.

La Guelaguetza as it exists today has a much more recent history. In 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Oaxaca City, leaving significant destruction in its wake. In response, the governor called on Oaxaqueños from throughout the state to support one another—an act of guelaguetza in itself.

The following year, coinciding with Oaxaca City’s 400th anniversary, the first official Guelaguetza Festival took place on Cerro del Fortín, where communities from Oaxaca’s eight regions gathered to share their dance, music, and traditions.

Over time, the festival grew in scale and recognition. Referred to as La Fiesta Máxima, today La Guelaguetza is the most important celebration of Oaxacan culture and is widely considered the largest folkloric festival in the Americas.

Attending La Guelaguetza in Oaxaca

It’s no surprise that the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca is also called La Fiesta Máxima. With so many events throughout the city and surrounding towns, there’s no way to see it all.

The real joy of Guelaguetza comes from choosing a few experiences and allowing yourself to be fully present—whether that’s joining a lively street parade or watching regional dances on a hillside stage (with lots of food and mezcal tastings in between of course).

Wherever you find yourself during Guelaguetza, you’ll experience the colorful traditions of Oaxaca. From iconic dances like Flor de Piña and Danza de la Pluma to the everyday spirit of sharing that defines guelaguetza itself.

Come with curiosity, a loose plan, and maybe a rain jacket. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what makes Oaxaca so special.