Here’s our monthly guide to upcoming events in Cancun, Riviera Maya & Yucatan.
La Dorada del Caribe Women’s Fishing Tournament, Isla Mujeres, August 5
Feria de San Joaquin, Bacalar, August 11-20
Traditional village fair with agricultural exhibitions, horse races, folk ballet and live music.
Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Izamal, August 15, Izamal
Masses, processions, traditional dances and music in Izamal, a historic town in the Yucatan famous for its colonial convent and surrounding buildings all painted in bright yellow with a white trim. Izamal shares the distinction of being one of the Yucatan’s twin Pueblos Magicos or “Magical” Towns with Valladolid, a name given to smaller Mexican communities that are rich in history and traditions or are the site of natural wonders.
167th Anniversary of the Settlement of Isla Mujeres, August 17
Isla Mujeres celebrates its anniversary in August, 167 years since the first settlers in the modern era founded the village of Dolores. Isla Fest events include processions, dance performances, live music and more.
Jats’a Ja Festival, Mahahual, August 18-20
This festival opens with a Mayan ceremony and blessing and an exhibition and sale of crafts from villages in the Chacchoben, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Bacalar and Chetumal areas, a traditional vaqueria folk dance performance, sports and live music.
Barracuda Fishing Tournament, Isla Mujeres, August 19
Punta Allen Fishing Tournament 2017, Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, August 25-27
Whale Shark Festival, Holbox, September 8-10
The island of Holbox is getting ready to honor its most famous visitor, the whale sharks that gather to feed on plankton in the waters off the coast of the island and around Cabo Catoche during the summer. There will be whale shark tours, live music, food stands, seminars and exhibitions on the festival guest, the island of Cuba.
Mexican Independence, September 15 & 16
Mexico celebrates the anniversary of its Independence from Spain with delicious food, music and colorful festivities the night of September 15 and processions on September 16.
Xplor Bravest Race, Xplor Park, September 17
Xplor Bravest Race is a fun 5-kilometer race through the jungle with a course of 30 manmade and natural obstacles to test your strength and bring you into contact with the elements: water, earth fire and wind. One of the elements will be your ally during the challenge.
As you run through the jungle, you’ll encounter rival Elementals who will motivate you to race harder and also try and prevent you from reaching the finish line and steal your flag. With the help of your Element ally, you can defy them and even turn the tables on them taking their flags. Competitors who complete the race with flags representing all four elements are The Bravest.
Up to 3,500 people will be competing in this event. Minimum age of competitors is 16. http://en.xplorbravestrace.com/about-xplor-bravest-race.php
Fiesta del Cristo de Las Ampollas, September 27, Merida
The patron saint of Merida is honored with masses, pilgrimages, processions and traditional dances.
Festival Internacional de la Cultura Maya (FICMAYA), Merida, October 1 –23
Now in its sixth year, this celebration of Mayan culture past and present takes place in Merida, the Cultural Capital of the Americas 2017. Events will include seminars given by leading experts on Maya culture, poetry readings and theater, live music, dance and much more. It also features an offering of live transmissions from the famous Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato.
Festival de Vida y Muerte, Xcaret Park, October 30, 31, November 1 & 2
Hosted by Xcaret Park, the Festival of Life and Death Traditions showcases one of Mexico’s richest and most colorful customs, the Day of the Dead or Día de Muertos, which takes place on November 1 and 2. At this time of year, Mexicans believe that the souls of the departed come back to the world of the living for a short time. They welcome their loved ones with altars laden with flowers, food, treasured possessions and other offerings, and with candlelit vigils, masses and serenades.
The Festival program features processions, altars, traditional cuisine, art exhibits, music, dance, theater, children’s events and a visit to a replica of a Mexican cemetery with gravestones in the shape of colonial churches, adorned with flowers and the statues of saints and epitaphs that range from the philosophic to the humorous.
The Xcaret Festival is one of the most popular events in Cancun, Riviera Maya & Yucatan.
Elsewhere in the Yucatan Peninsula, you’ll see flower-laden altars in streets and squares in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid and Merida keeping faith with Day of the Dead customs. In the Yucatan, Dia de Muertos is known as Hanal Pixaan.
OHL Classic at Mayakoba, PGA golf in the Riviera Maya, November 6 to 12
A field of players that includes some of the PGA’s leading young players and several former champions gathers for the OHL Classic at El Camaleón Golf Club in Mayakoba.
Xel-Ha Triathlon, Xel-Ha, November 18 & 19
A field of 1,800 athletes will compete in the Xel-Ha Triathlon and the National Triathlon Championship Mexico 2017.
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Playa del Carmen, November 30 – December 2
Playa Mamitas is the venue for this popular music event. The line up for the 2017 Festival has yet to be announced.
Visit this blog for listings of more events in Cancun, Riviera Maya & Yucatan during the year.
