Guelaguetza

On the slope of Cerro del Fortín, above the historic centre of Oaxaca, an open-air auditorium fills with more than ten thousand people on a July Monday. The opening show of the 2026 edition, the 94th, drew over 11,000 people. Delegations from across the state arrive in costume to dance, sing and present their regional customs: thirteen of them in 2026.

The name comes from the Zapotec word "guendalezaa", which means an offering or a gift given in return. The roots are older than the modern show. Records speak of a decree regulating the Danza de la Pluma, the feather dance, in 1848. The second Monday is linked to a colonial permit for a secular celebration tied to the feast of Corpus at the Carmen Alto church. Each performance lasts around three hours.

The main days are the Lunes del Cerro, the Mondays on the Hill, which in 2026 fell on 20 and 27 July. The festival is not just two shows: there are more than 140 events across the state through July, from fairs to parades and craft and food exhibitions. Officials in 2026 expected about 149,000 visitors, so the city is busy for the whole month.

How to go. The 2027 dates are not out yet; look for two Mondays in the second half of July. The auditorium is the main venue. The shows are broadcast on state television, on YouTube through CORTV and on the official Facebook channel, which is a fallback if you do not get a seat. Seat prices are not in the sources I used, so check the official channels when sales open. The airport is about 30 minutes from Oaxaca de Juárez. Book your room early, because hotels in the city run at high occupancy in July.