Guelaguetza Oaxaca 2025: Your Ultimate Festival Guide

If you’re planning to attend the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca, you’re in for a celebration unlike any other. It is one of the most iconic cultural events in Mexico.

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

If you’re wondering how to attend La Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, you’re not alone. Tickets to the main event are notoriously difficult to get, and with so many parades and performances throughout the month of July, it can be hard to know what to prioritize.

After attending the Guelaguetza Festival multiple times while living in Oaxaca, I put together this guide to help you navigate it all—how to buy Guelaguetza tickets, what to expect, 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 anyway.

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

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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.

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 they call it La Fiesta Máxima.

When is Guelaguetza Celebrated?

La Guelaguetza Festival is celebrated on the last two Mondays of July, known as Los Lunes del Cerro. Guelaguetza 2025 will be held on July 21 and July 28. However, there are celebrations throughout the month of July, with parades, dances, and other cultural events in both Oaxaca City and nearby towns.

What is Guelaguetza?

La Guelaguetza is a cultural celebration in Oaxaca that invites visitors to celebrate 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—it’s a way of life. While 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 Guelaguetza history towards the end of this article.

Where to Stay in Oaxaca for Guelaguetza

I generally recommend travelers book a place to stay in Oaxaca centro, especially if it’s your first time in the city or you’re visiting during a festival. This is because you’ll want to be close to the action but also able to easily retreat for a siesta when needed.

I’ve included some of my top picks for centrally located hotels with availability during Guelaguetza below.

El Callejón Hotel ($$$$) – Gorgeous modern suites with an integrated patio filled with tropical plants.
Majagua Hotel ($$$) – Chic boutique hotel with bohemian decor, a downstairs cafe, and a beautiful rooftop.
City Centro Hotel ($$) – Modern hotel with a unique design and a rooftop pool.
Hotel Las Golondrinas ($) – Beautiful rooms in a traditional house with a garden area.

Guelaguetza Festival Events in Oaxaca City

While the main event takes place at the Guelaguetza Auditorium in Oaxaca City, the true magic of the festival extends far beyond, with vibrant celebrations in the surrounding pueblos (more on those later).

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: The provided dates and locations are subject to change (even last minute). And other than the main event, dates have yet to be announced. I will update things as I can, but I recommend checking FB pages to confirm the date, time, and location before you go. Changes are more likely to occur with smaller events.

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, 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—parades that serve as both an announcement and an invitation to the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca.

Since Oaxaca City and the surrounding pueblos of the Central Valleys are inviting the rest of the state to join them for La Guelaguetza, the convites feature participants from the region. 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. But I don’t like to wait, so in the past I’ve arrived just before the parades begins to find a good enough spot.

I recommend catching this parade near Llano park or later along the route because the area where it starts is lacking the historic charm of 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 as you join in the celebration. These acts aren’t just a fun tradition—they reflects 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—two Mondays of performances held at the Guelaguetza Auditorium, which sits high above Oaxaca City. The atmosphere is one of deep pride and celebration, as Oaxaqueños from all over the state gather to witness the dance performances that embody their cultural heritage.

Each Monday, more than a dozen communities from Oaxaca’s eight regions take the stage, with different groups performing in the morning and afternoon shows. Through dance, music, and traditional clothing, they showcase the unique traditions and identities of their communities.

How to Buy Tickets to the Guelaguetza

While I linked to the website above, buying tickets to La Guelaguetza Festival when they go on sale is nearly impossible. In previous years, both the presale and general sale sold out within minutes.

Some people turn to second-hand tickets, which can be a viable option with caution. The biggest risks are counterfeit tickets and overpaying, as scalpers drive up prices, making 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 local 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 1200 to 1500 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 arriving early is still essential.

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.

Want to see a small town Guelaguetza performance? But you’re not sure how to get there or where to go. My friend and local tour guide, Israel is offering a Guelaguetza tour to one of the small towns. He’s a great driver and speaks English. It’s best to contact him on WhatsApp. Or you can send a message on Instagram.

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 stays true to Oaxaca and its spirit of celebration.

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 what it’s meant to be: a celebration of community.

Small Town Guelaguetza Celebrations

Whether you’re able to buy tickets to 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 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 – Traditional Guelaguetza

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 slightly steep hill—comfortable shoes and a rain jacket or umbrella are a good idea, just in case.

Cuilápam de Guerrero – Encuentro de Danza de la Pluma

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 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 powerful 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 – Feria de Mezcal y La Guelaguetza

The events in Mitla throughout the week of La Guelaguetza include a mezcal tasting, an agave workshop, a demonstration of waist loom weaving, and a guayabera exhibition. In addition, on the two Sundays before Mondays on the Hill, there is an afternoon parade followed by a Guelaguetza performance.

Ocotlán – Fiesta de Hermandad, Cultura, y Tradición

For the Guelaguetza, Ocotlán hosts a “festival of brotherhood, culture, and tradition.” The events include an artisan expo, mezcal fair, and various concerts. On Los Lunes del Cerro, there is a parade in the afternoon followed by a Guelaguetza performance.

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 one of these 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

Tasting the traditional 7 moles is one of the top things to do in Oaxaca City. At this culinary event, you can taste a variety of moles from the eight regions of Oaxaca.

Tickets need to be purchased in advance. They are available at various restaurants in Oaxaca including Tierra del Sol, Las Quince Letras, El Tendajon, Zandunga, and Casa Oaxaca.

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.

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 musical and dance performances, horse races, bull riding, and of course, mezcal demonstrations and tastings. You can find out more on their Instagram.

Red Pottery Fair in San Marcos Tlapazola

On the weekend before Guelaguetza begins, the town of San Marcos Tlapazola invites visitors to learn about their tradition of red pottery. The event includes guided visits of the pottery workshops as well as clay demonstrations. There is of course traditional food and other cultural events as well.

Alebrije Fair – San Martín Tilcajete

San Martín Tilcajete is known for the fanatical animals carved of copal wood and painted with intricate designs, called alebrijes. This is an opportunity to see the works of many artists at once while wandering the booths set up in the center of the town. While you’re there, I recommend visiting an alebrije workshop which is included on my favorite day trips from Oaxaca.

Want more Oaxacan crafts? Check out our guide to the best markets in Oaxaca. It includes the markets in surrounding towns and an artisan market.

Artisan Fair – Tlacolula de Matamoros

This artisan fair in Tlacolula de Matamoros features textiles, traditional shoes, filagree jewelry, baskets, and more. It’s located in the center of this small town. If you can, try to go on a Sunday to explore the Tlacolula Market, one of the oldest markets in Oaxaca.

Concerts and Performances at Teatro Macedonio Alcalá

During the month of July, the Macedonia Theater in Oaxaca hosts various events. They include Guelaguetza performances as well as concerts by the Oaxaca symphonic orchestra. You can find out more on their Facebook page.

Guelaguetza Festival History

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 Festival takes place.

The rituals included dances, offerings, and feasts that lasted for days and 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 Festival 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.

Final Thoughts on 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—and you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what makes Oaxaca so special.