Calendar of Events

The most famous festivities in Guadalajara are those celebrated with dances, fireworks and a fair in front of the basilica of the Virgin of Zapopán on August 15. Another great celebration that involving a pilgrimage of the faithful takes place on October 15. Another picturesque festival is the one celebrated in the village of Nextipac, near Zapopan on July 25, during which the struggle between Saint Santiago and the Moors during the festival of the Tastoanes is re-enacted. 

Besides the big national holidays like Independence Day, Easter and Christmas (see Mexico Events Calendar) Guadalajara has some local festivals of its own:

Feria de Tonala  - Once Tonala was Guadalajara - before it moved to its current location.  Today, Tonala is a neighbourhood of the city and the week before and week after Easter, it hosts an annual Handicrafts Fair, with the emphasis on ceramics.

Fiesta Internacional del Mariachi (International Mariachi Fair) is scheduled to take place during the first two weeks in September. Mariachis from everywhere come to celebrate and play here.

Feria Internacional del Libro (International Book Fair) - The largest book fair in Latin America takes place annually in Guadalajara between the last week in November and the first week in December.

Fiestas de Octubre - (October Parties) These celebrations begin on the first Sunday in October and run right through to Halloween.   Street parades, parties, celebrations, food, Mariachis and tequila all feature heavily.    Consult the local tourist office (see Practical Information, below) for details of this year's event calendar.