Festivals in Mexico's Magical Towns in October 2026
7 festivals, fairs and traditions take place in Mexico's Magical Towns in October. Here are their dates, where they happen and what to expect, so you can plan your trip and book ahead.
Festivals of Saint Francis of Assisi
📍 Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosí
A major religious gathering where thousands of pilgrims visit the sanctuary of Saint Francis of Assisi in the ghost town of Real de Catorce.
- Pilgrimages on foot and horseback from various parts of the country
- Continuous masses and traditional songs
- Matlachines dances and offerings
International Paste Festival
Gastronomic festival celebrating the English mining heritage through the traditional 'paste', featuring tastings and cultural events.
- Preparation and tasting of the world's largest paste
- Historical tours of the English Cemetery
- Celtic music and traditional British and Mexican dances
Festival of Souls
📍 Valle de Bravo, Estado de México
Cultural and artistic festival celebrating the Day of the Dead, featuring concerts, theater, dance, and literature.
- 'Catrineando' parade through the cobblestone streets
- Free concerts at the Alameda and the lake
- Art exhibitions and monumental offerings
Festival of Light and Life
Day of the Dead celebration on the Chignahuapan lagoon, featuring a torchlight procession, pre-Hispanic dances, and a spectacular light show.
- Torchlight walk from the center to the lagoon
- Floating stage show on the Chignahuapan Lagoon
- Exhibition of pre-Hispanic dances and lights
Night of the Dead in Pátzcuaro
Candlelit vigils in the cemeteries around Lake Pátzcuaro, with marigold offerings, prayers and Purépecha music.
- See the offerings and crafts market in downtown Pátzcuaro
- Take a boat to Janitzio Island
- Respectfully attend the vigils in the lakeside cemeteries
Xantolo in Xilitla
The Day of the Dead of the Huasteca: altars with marigold arches, masked dancers and zacahuil tamales to welcome the souls.
- See the altars with flower arches in homes and plazas
- Follow the masked dance troupes through town
- Try zacahuil and Huasteca tamales
Hanal Pixán in Valladolid
The Maya “food of the souls”: altars with mucbipollo, candles and flowers to welcome the departed in eastern Yucatán.
- Tour the altars downtown and in the neighborhoods
- Try mucbipollo (pib)
- Visit the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena