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October is an excellent month to visit Mexico. The Festival Internacional Cervantino is one of the biggest cultural festivals of the year, and Day of the Dead kicks off at the end of the month. Weather-wise it's a great time to visit: it's the end of the rainy season and temperatures are milder than other times of the year. Here's a run-down of the most important festivals and events taking place in Mexico this October.
Fiestas del Sol - Festival of the Sun
Mexicali, Baja California, Sept. 28 to Oct. 14
Concerts, parades, and mechanical rides in celebration of the founding of Mexicali. This year's artist lineup includes Jesse y Joy, Julieta Venegas, Natalia Lafourcade, Los Vazquez Sound, and Cafe Tacuba.
Web Site: Fiestas del Sol
Cabo Comedy Festival
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, October 2 to 6, 2013
This festival will feature performances by some of the entertainment industry's top stand-up comedians as well as a competition for best new comic. The festival will also include panel discussions on the business of comedy with writers, producers and cast members from some of television's top comedies, celebrity golf and poker tournaments, and after-parties at some of Cabo's most popular nightclubs. The festival will culminate with an awards presentation and celebrity roast.
Website: Cabo Comedy Festival
Expo Tequila
Tijuana, Baja California, October 9 to 13, 2013
This is Mexico's largest tequila festival and offers Mexican cuisine and a family atmosphere, with over 300 brands of Mexico's best tequilas available at special prices. Collections of tequilas are raffled among attendees every day. The Expo Tequila takes place in Tijuana on 7th Avenue between Calle Revolution and 8th, in front of the Jai Alai Palace.
Website: expo-tequila.com
Festival Internacional Cervantino
Guanajuato, October 9 to 27, 2013
One of Mexico's main annual cultural events, the Cervantino Festival draws performers and spectators from around the world and features opera, classical and contemporary music concerts, dance and theater performances, and visual arts exhibits.
Website: FIC
Fiestas de Octubre - Octoberfest
Guadalajara, Jalisco, October 5 to November 5
A month-long event with concerts, dances, cultural exhibits and food, attracting visitors and performers from all over the world. This year's theme is 47 Años de Tradicion, "47 Years of Tradition." The inaugural parade will take place on October 5, and performances by Paquita La Del Barrio, Raúl Di Blasio, Enrique Guzmán, and Jo jo Jorge Falcón are on the program.
Festival Facebook Page: Fiestas de Octubre
Guadalajara City Guide
Baja California Culinary Fest
Baja California state, October 11 to 14
The 2012 edition of this culinary festival will bring together chefs, sommeliers and pastry chefs from all over the world. Events will be held at venues in Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexicali, Tecate, and San Felipe. A Tijuana Gastro Tour is scheduled for the final day, which will culminate in the Tijuana Food Fest at Plaza Galerias Hipodromo.
Website: Baja California Culinary Fest
More about Baja California State
Dia de la Raza - "Day of the Race"
October 12
Celebrated as "Columbus Day" in the United States, this day commemorates Columbus' arrival in the Americas.
Background on Día de la Raza
Monumental Alebrijes Parade - Desfile de Alebrijes Monumentales
Mexico City, October 20
Organized by the Museo de Arte Popular (Popular Art Museum), this parade of giant fantastical creatures is now in its sixth year. It departs from the Zocalo at noon and continues along 5 de Mayo, Juárez and Reforma until it reaches the Ángel de la Independencia. Read more about alebrijes.
Website: Museo de Arte Popular
Tulum Sea Turtle Festival
Tulum, Quintana Roo, October 25 to 28
Held annually in Tulum, the Sea Turtle Festival is a free event which encourages participants to learn about sea turtles and familiarize themselves with the various organizations that are trying to protect them. Artistic, environmental and cultural activities are also a part of the festival.
Website: Festival Tortuga Marina
Find out more about getting involved with sea turtle conservation in Mexico.
Festival de las Calaveras - Festival of the Skulls
Aguascalientes, October 26 to November 4
Skulls of different sizes and materials will be on display as well as stands with traditional food and seasonal fruit. Altars in honor of the dead, diverse artistic and cultural shows and a skeleton parade and "living altar" are all part of the events planned.
Website: Festival de las Calaveras
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Last Sunday of October (October 28, 2012)
In Mexico, Daylight Saving Time (horario de verano in Spanish) is observed from the first Sunday of April until the last Sunday in October. Clocks are set back one hour at 2 am on the last Sunday in October.
Read more: Daylight Saving Time in Mexico
Día de muertos - Days of the Dead
Celebrated throughout Mexico, October 31st, November 1st and 2nd
Deceased relatives are remembered and honored in cemeteries and family homes in this unique cultural celebration. Festivities take place throughout the country, but celebrations are most colorful in Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, Chiapas and San Andres Mixquic (D.F.).
More info: Day of the Dead in Mexico
Where to celebrate Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead Photos
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