Oaxaca Festivals Calendar 2026: Complete Guide to Celebrations
Oaxaca is one of the most culturally rich states in Mexico, and its festival calendar is a vibrant reflection of a heritage that stretches back thousands of years. Throughout the year, Oaxacan communities celebrate festivals that interweave pre-Hispanic traditions with colonial and religious customs, creating a cultural mosaic unmatched anywhere else in the country.
From the majestic Guelaguetza in July to the mystical Day of the Dead celebration in November, and the singular Noche de Rabanos in December, each festival offers a unique window into the deep identity of the peoples of Oaxaca. If you are planning a trip to this state, knowing the festival calendar will help you choose the best time to experience authentic and unforgettable cultural moments.
This 2026 calendar includes the most important celebrations, with dates, descriptions, and recommendations so you can plan your visit well in advance.
January
Three Kings Day (January 6)
As in the rest of Mexico, January 6 marks Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day), but in Oaxaca the tradition carries a distinctive regional flavor. Families share the traditional Rosca de Reyes accompanied by hot Oaxacan chocolate, made with roasted cacao, cinnamon, almonds, and sugar. In the city’s markets and bakeries, you can find roscas of all sizes, many featuring flavors and ingredients unique to the region.
Churches hold special masses, and in some communities, pastorelas (nativity plays) and live representations of the birth of Christ are organized. Oaxacan children receive toys and regional sweets, and the festive atmosphere of the December holidays extends through this date.
Feast of San Sebastian Martir (January 20)
In Tlacolula de Matamoros and other communities in the Central Valleys, the patron saint feast of San Sebastian is celebrated with calendas (nighttime processions with music and fireworks), regional dances, jaripeos (rodeos), and gastronomic fairs. The festivities can last several days and include sporting events, competitions, and the traditional fair with carnival rides.
February
Candelaria Day (February 2)
February 2 marks Dia de la Candelaria, a festival of religious origin that in Oaxaca merges with pre-Hispanic traditions linked to the blessing of seeds and the beginning of the agricultural cycle. On this date, those who found the figurine in the Rosca de Reyes offer tamales and atole to family and friends.
In the city of Oaxaca and various communities, blessings of Nino Dios figures, tamale fairs featuring regional Oaxacan varieties, and religious processions accompanied by music bands are organized.
Carnival (variable date, usually February)
Carnival is celebrated in various Oaxacan communities with colorful parades, comparsas, and costume dances. Particularly noteworthy is the Carnival of Putla de Guerrero, where participants dress in elaborate costumes and masks representing local traditional characters such as the “mascaritas” and “marotas.” In the Costa region, Carnival celebrations have a strong Afro-descendant influence, with music, dance, and gastronomy reflecting this cultural heritage.
March-April
Holy Week (March or April, variable date)
Holy Week is one of the most solemn and spectacular celebrations in Oaxaca. In 2026, Holy Week falls in early April. The processions that wind through the streets of the historic center of Oaxaca City are particularly impressive, with religious images carried on platforms by the faithful, accompanied by music bands and clouds of incense.
In the Central Valleys communities, Holy Week is experienced with special intensity. Live representations of the Stations of the Cross stand out, where community members portray the different passages of the Passion of Christ. In the Mixteca region, nighttime processions illuminated by candles create atmospheres of profound spirituality.
During these days, Oaxacan gastronomy adapts to the season with Lenten dishes such as dried shrimp with nopales, shrimp patties in mole, arroz con leche, and Lenten empanadas filled with beans or rajas. Expect to spend $50-$150 MXN ($3-$9 USD) per meal at market stalls serving these seasonal specialties.
Spring Festival in San Antonino Castillo Velasco (March)
This picturesque village, famous for its floral embroidery, celebrates the arrival of spring with a flower and embroidery fair that attracts artisans from across the region. The embroidered garments of San Antonino are recognized as masterpieces of Oaxacan textile art, and during the festival you can observe the creation process and purchase pieces directly from the artisans.
May
Labor Day (May 1)
Although not exclusive to Oaxaca, May Day is celebrated with marches, cultural events, and community activities. In Oaxaca City, various social organizations and unions organize parades and demonstrations that culminate at the Zocalo.
Day of the Holy Cross (May 3)
This celebration is particularly important for bricklayers and construction workers. At construction sites in progress, crosses adorned with flowers are placed and a fiesta is held with music, food, and drink. In many Oaxacan communities, this date coincides with agricultural rituals related to rain petitions, evidencing the fusion between Catholic traditions and pre-Hispanic beliefs.
Feast of the Cross of Huatulco (May 3)
In Santa Cruz Huatulco, one of the oldest festivals on the Oaxacan coast is celebrated in honor of the Holy Cross that, according to tradition, was found on the beach by the first evangelizers. The celebration includes masses, maritime processions with decorated boats, calendas, regional dances, and a gastronomic fair where visitors can sample the typical dishes of the coast.
June
Feast of San Juan Bautista (June 24)
San Juan Bautista is the patron saint of numerous communities in Oaxaca, so his feast day is celebrated in multiple locations with a great diversity of cultural expressions. In Tuxtepec, in the Papaloapan region, celebrations include the colorful floral festival, parades of floats adorned with tropical flowers, regional dances, and huipil competitions.
In San Juan Gelavia and other Zapotec communities of the Central Valleys, the patron saint feast includes calendas with giants and cabezones (large papier-mache figures), music bands, Mixtec ball game tournaments, and abundant traditional food.
Feast of San Pedro and San Pablo (June 29)
In coastal communities of Oaxaca that bear the names of these saints, the celebration includes the blessing of boats, fishing tournaments, and maritime activities that reflect the intrinsic relationship between these communities and the sea.
July
La Guelaguetza (the two Mondays after July 16)
The Guelaguetza is without question the most emblematic and internationally recognized festival of Oaxaca. This celebration, whose name comes from Zapotec and means “offering” or “reciprocal exchange,” is a folk festival that brings together delegations from the eight regions of the state of Oaxaca to share their dances, music, traditional clothing, and customs.
In 2026, the Lunes del Cerro will be celebrated on July 20 and 27. The main performances take place at the Auditorio Guelaguetza, an open-air amphitheater located on the Cerro del Fortin, with panoramic views of the city. During the presentations, each regional delegation performs its most representative dances and at the end throws gifts to the audience — from tropical fruits and handicrafts to mezcal and pan de yema.
Beyond the presentations at the auditorium, the Guelaguetza permeates the entire city for several weeks with cultural events:
- Convite: A multicolored parade through the city streets with music, marmotas (giant papier-mache figures), and regional costumes.
- Bani Stui Gulal: A historical representation of the Guelaguetza that narrates its pre-Hispanic origins.
- Diosa Centeotl: A contest to choose the representative of the corn goddess, who will preside over the celebrations.
- Mezcaloteca and gastronomic fair: Tastings of mezcal and dishes from all regions.
- Concerts and artistic presentations in different spaces throughout the city.
The Guelaguetza is the best time of year to experience the cultural diversity of Oaxaca in all its magnitude. Book accommodations several months in advance, as demand is extremely high during these dates. Expect hotel prices to rise 40-60% above regular rates; budget hotels start around $1,200 MXN ($70 USD) per night during this period, while mid-range options run $2,500-$4,000 MXN ($145-$230 USD).
August
Feast of the Assumption (August 15)
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated as a patron saint feast in numerous Oaxacan communities, including Nochixtlan, Huajuapan de Leon, and various localities in the Mixteca region. Celebrations include religious processions, calendas, basketball tournaments (the most popular sport in many Oaxacan communities), jaripeos, and popular dances with wind bands.
Mole Fair in San Pedro y San Pablo Etla (August)
In August, the community of San Pedro Etla organizes a fair dedicated to mole, one of the most emblematic dishes of Oaxacan cuisine. Traditional cooks from the region present their versions of mole negro, rojo, coloradito, amarillo, verde, chichilo, and manchamanteles — the celebrated seven moles of Oaxaca. It is an exceptional opportunity to taste and compare the different varieties prepared with family recipes passed down through generations. Tasting portions typically cost $30-$60 MXN ($2-$3.50 USD) each.
September
Independence Day (September 15-16)
The celebration of Mexican Independence in Oaxaca carries a special character. On the night of September 15, the Zocalo fills with families who gather to witness the traditional “Grito de Independencia” from the balcony of the Government Palace. Fireworks, music from bands and orchestras, and stalls of Oaxacan antojitos create a festive atmosphere that extends into the early morning hours.
On September 16, the civic-military parade takes place through the main streets of the city, with the participation of schools, civic organizations, and military contingents.
Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (September 8)
In the community of Villa de Etla and at the Basilica de la Soledad in Oaxaca City, this feast is celebrated with solemn masses, processions, and fairs. The Basilica de la Soledad, one of the most beautiful temples in the city, houses the image of the Virgen de la Soledad, patron saint of Oaxaca City.
October
Black Mole Festival of San Andres Huayapam (October)
San Andres Huayapam, a municipality adjacent to Oaxaca City, celebrates a festival dedicated specifically to mole negro, considered the “king of Oaxacan moles.” During the event, traditional cooks from the community prepare enormous quantities of this complex dish that requires more than 30 ingredients, including chilhuacle chiles, chocolate, plantain, and spices. Visitors can taste the mole, learn about its preparation, and participate in culinary workshops. Workshop fees range from $300-$500 MXN ($17-$29 USD) per person.
October Festivals in Tuxtepec
The city of San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, in the Papaloapan region, celebrates throughout October with a program that includes the colorful Festival de la Flor del Tropico, float parades, queen coronations, sporting events, concerts, and a commercial fair. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the tropical culture of the Papaloapan Basin.
November
Day of the Dead (October 31 - November 2)
The Day of the Dead in Oaxaca is one of the most authentic, profound, and moving celebrations in all of Mexico. Far from being a spectacle for tourists, this tradition is lived with genuine devotion by Oaxacan families, who honor the memory of their loved ones with altars, offerings, and nighttime visits to cemeteries.
Preparation of the offerings: Weeks before, Oaxaca’s markets fill with cempasuchil flowers, candles, copal (aromatic incense), freshly baked pan de muerto with its characteristic sesame seeds, chocolate, fruits, mole negro, and the favorite foods and drinks of the deceased. Families build elaborate altars in their homes with several levels representing different spiritual planes.
Comparsa de Dia de Muertos: In the days leading up, a colorful comparsa (parade) winds through the streets of the historic center with participants dressed as skeletons, musicians, dancers, and allegorical floats. This artistic expression combines tradition with contemporary creativity.
Cemetery visits: On the night of October 31 and the nights of November 1-2, families go to cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones. In communities like Xoxocotlan and Santa Cruz Amilpas, the cemeteries are illuminated with thousands of candles, adorned with cempasuchil flowers, and filled with music from bands and prayers. The atmosphere is one of profound respect and communion between the living and the dead.
This is the second-highest tourism season after the Guelaguetza. Book accommodations 3-6 months in advance. Hotel prices during this period typically range from $1,500-$5,000 MXN ($87-$290 USD) per night.
December
Virgen de Juquila (December 8)
The Virgen de Juquila is the most venerated Marian devotion in Oaxaca. Her sanctuary, located in the town of Santa Catarina Juquila in the Sierra Sur, receives hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, especially around her feast day on December 8. The faithful arrive on foot from different parts of the state, some walking for several days, to ask for favors or give thanks for miracles attributed to the small image of the Virgin.
In Oaxaca City, many churches hold masses in honor of the Virgen de Juquila and organize local pilgrimages.
Noche de Rabanos — Night of the Radishes (December 23)
The Noche de Rabanos is a festival unique in the world, celebrated only in Oaxaca. Every December 23, artisans and participants carve elaborate figures using giant radishes grown especially for the occasion. The sculptures depict religious scenes, Oaxacan traditions, historic buildings, regional dances, and folk characters — all made from fresh radishes.
The tradition dates back to the eighteenth century, when merchants at the Christmas market carved radish figures to attract buyers. Over time, this custom evolved into a formal competition held in the Zocalo of the city. Participants work for weeks on their creations, which are displayed for just a few hours before the radishes begin to deteriorate.
The Noche de Rabanos is complemented by exhibitions of dried-flower figures (flores inmortales) and totomoxtle (figures made from corn husks). Lines to see the exhibitions can be very long, so arriving early is recommended. The event is free to attend.
Christmas Calendas (December 16-24)
During the nine nights before Christmas, different churches and neighborhoods of Oaxaca City organize calendas — nighttime processions accompanied by music bands, fireworks, paper lanterns, and “marmotas” (large fabric spheres illuminated from within). Each night, a different calenda winds through the streets of the center, creating an atmosphere of communal celebration.
Calendas are a deeply rooted tradition in the social life of Oaxaca. Families gather to walk together in the procession, and afterward they share bunuelos (crispy fried dough) with hot chocolate. It is customary for participants to break the clay plate after eating the bunuelo, throwing it to the ground as a gesture of good wishes for the coming year.
Christmas Eve and Christmas (December 24-25)
Christmas Eve is celebrated with family around a special dinner that includes dishes such as bacalao a la vizcaina (salt cod), romeritos, Oaxacan tamales with mole negro and rajas, fruit punch, and the traditional bunuelos bathed in piloncillo syrup. At midnight, families attend Midnight Mass and share the gift-opening moment.
On December 25, the city rests and families continue celebrations with meals and gatherings. It is a quiet day when shops and restaurants may have reduced hours.
Tips for Enjoying Oaxaca’s Festivals
Planning and Reservations
The largest festivals, such as the Guelaguetza and Day of the Dead, attract thousands of national and international visitors. Booking accommodation at least 2 to 3 months in advance is essential for these dates. Flights also tend to increase in price, so purchase tickets as early as possible. International roundtrip flights to Oaxaca (OAX) typically range from $400-$800 USD during festival periods.
Cultural Respect
Oaxaca’s festivals are not shows put on for tourists — they are genuine expressions of the culture and spirituality of the communities. Maintain a respectful attitude, ask permission before photographing people or altars, and participate with sensitivity. The best way to experience these celebrations is with humility and openness, letting yourself be carried by the generosity of the communities that welcome you.
Festival Gastronomy
Each festival has its particular gastronomy. Do not miss the chance to try the seasonal dishes: tamales during Candelaria, mole negro during Day of the Dead, bunuelos and punch in December, and regional antojitos during the Guelaguetza. Markets are always the best place to find authentic food at accessible prices, with most dishes costing $40-$150 MXN ($2-$9 USD).
Transportation
During the main festivals, the center of Oaxaca City may be closed to vehicular traffic to make way for processions and events. Plan to arrive on foot or by public transportation. If you plan to visit festivals in communities outside the city, verify transportation options in advance, as services may be modified during the holidays. Taxis within the city cost $40-$80 MXN ($2-$5 USD) for most rides; colectivos (shared vans) to nearby communities run $15-$30 MXN ($1-$2 USD).
Oaxaca’s festivals are a journey to the very heart of Mexico, where ancestral traditions coexist with contemporary life in a way that astonishes and moves visitors deeply. Any time of year is good to visit Oaxaca — consult our guide on when to visit Oaxaca — but if you can plan your trip to coincide with one of these celebrations, your experience will be truly unforgettable.