By Julie R Butler
In the previous Shoptezuma Love for Mexico blog post, about el inicio de verano, I discussed the top reasons why you should travel to Mexico this (and every) summer. So now, I’d like to highlight some of events being held in Mexico this July so you can be sure to include a colorful outdoor festival, intriguing film festival, or other great event into your vacation plans – you’ll be amazed at the range of activities going on! And be sure to check back with us over the next few weeks for even more great Mexico summer vacation ideas.
Guelaguetza Festival – Oaxaca – 1-31 July
The Guelaguetza Festival celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Oaxaca’s many different cultural traditions, with the Lunes del Cerro main events taking place in a hilltop auditorium on the last two Mondays of the month (22 and 29 July).
In addition to the two shows at the Guelaguetza auditorium, where the 17 ethnic groups come together to pay homage to Oaxaca with their traditional music, dance, clothing, and gastronomy, the entire month of July is filled with activities in Oaxaca City as well as in nearby villages, including dance performances, balls, parades, offerings of regional foods, mezcal tastings, artesania fairs, fireworks, and the epic theatrical presentation of la Historia de la Princesa Donají.
Feria Nacional Durango 2019 – Durango – 19 July - 4 August
The Feria Nacional Durango celebrates Mexico´s cultura ranchera and much more with everything from rodeos and sporting events to forums, fairs, and expos to a jardín de las artesanias, a short-film festival, and a schedule of entertainment that features Maluma as the headliner.
XXII Guanajuato International Film Festival – San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato – 19-28 July
In case you haven’t heard, Mexico is in the throes of a revolution – in cinema. So if you love movies, don’t miss the Guanajuato International Film Festival, which has become “the most important platform for young filmmakers in Latin America.” The movie screenings, concerts, conferences, and workshops that take place at various venues in two of Mexico’s most picturesque cities – starting in San Miguel de Allende and then moving to Guanajuato City – are all free to attend.
CantoyaFest 2019 – Pátzcuaro, Michoacán – 19-21 July
CantoyaFest is a family-friendly festival that fills the skies over Pátzcuaro with hundreds of colorful paper balloons for a weekend each July. Drawing people from around the world to compete in different categories, this year’s theme will highlight animals in danger of extinction.
12th Annual Whale Shark Festival – Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 19-21 July
If you’d like to actually get up close and personal with an endangered species while vacationing in the Caribbean, check out the Whale Shark Festival on Isla Mujeres. Festivalgoers will learn about these gentle giants of the sea and the importance of ecotourism as well as finding plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
Vans Surf Open Acapulco by Corona 2019 – Acapulco, Guerrero – 12-14 July
If sun, sand, and surfing is your thing, then head to Acapulco in mid-July for the Surf Open Acapulco surfing competition. Top surfers from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America will be strutting their stuff on the swells off of Playa Revolcadero.
Bierfest Orizaba – Orizaba, Veracruz – 18-21 July
So as you can see, there are festivals and events of all types – and this is just a sampling of what’s going on in Mexico this July!
The next article in this series on vacaciones de verano en México will present some of the events that will be held in August this year, and other articles will take a look at other types of activities you might like to make part of your summer vacation.