If you're planning to travel to Mexico in July, you should be aware that this is the wettest month of the year through most of the country, so don't forget to pack a raincoat or umbrella. It rains mostly in the afternoon and evening so it probably won't interfere with your sightseeing plans. This is school holiday time, so it's a good idea to make travel arrangements in advance. Read on for the most noteworthy festivals and events taking place in Mexico in July.
See also: The Weather in Mexico
Festival Internacional de Ciclismo de Montaña - International Mountain Biking Festival
Creel, Chihuahua, July 6 and 7
Umarike Expeditions organizes this annual event which takes place amid the breathtaking scenery of the Copper Canyon. Festival activities include downhill races, road races, kids events and guided rides.
Web Site: Festival Internacional de Ciclismo de Montaña
More about the Copper Canyon.
Festival Internacional de Guitarra - International Guitar Festival
Taxco, Guerrero, July 8 to 13
Every year Taxco's international guitar festival honors an outstanding international guitarist. Events include concerts, conferences, exhibits and the Taxco National Guitar Contest.
Web Site: Festival Internacional de Guitarra
Taxco Destination Guide
Whale Shark Festival
Isla Mujeres, July 11 to 14
This family-friendly festival will showcase local culture and cuisine, and will allow participants to enjoy some of the water activities that have made Isla Mujeres a favorite vacation spot: sport fishing, diving and snorkeling tours of the pristine reefs and of course swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world and an endangered species.
Web Site: Whale Shark Fest
Read about swimming with whale sharks.
Wine and Food Festival at Capella Pedregal
Cabo San Lucas, July 11 to 15
Luxury resort Capella Pedregal will bring together master chefs for its inaugural wine and food festival, A Taste of Capella. Spend five days sampling exquisite cuisine and taking part in educational gastronomical experiences. Activities will include cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese tastings, a 5-course dinner (each course expertly prepared by a different chef), parties on the beach with chef-prepared food stations, and more.
Website: A Taste of Capella
Jornadas Villistas
Chihuahua, July 14 to 24
A week of festivities commemorating Mexican revolutionary icon Francisco "Pancho" Villa culminates in the Cabalgata Villista, a horseback riding adventure that takes participants from Chihuahua to Hidalgo del Parral, covering 136 miles.
Web Site: Jornadas Villistas
Nuestra Señora del Carmen - Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Celebrated in various locations, July 16
This religious holiday is celebrated with particular fervor in Catemaco in the state of Veracruz, Oaxaca, and the San Angel area of Mexico City.
Read about Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Guanajuato Film Festival
Guanajuato, July 20 to 25
The Guanajuato Film Festival (previously known as Expresión en Corto) is the biggest film festival in Mexico and one of the most important in Latin America. In addition to the promotion and dissemination of cinema in Mexico and elsewhere, the goal of the festival is to strengthen the film industry through mechanisms that facilitate production. In 2012, the festival is celebrating its 15th edition. The guest country this year is Holland.
Web Site: Guanajuato Film Festival
Guelaguetza
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, July 22 to 29, 2013
This traditional festival, sometimes called the Lunes del Cerro (Mondays on the Hill), takes place on the last two Mondays of July, and brings people from all over the world to watch the traditional dances of the different regions of Oaxaca State. There are many other activities taking place during the two weeks surrounding this festival, including a mezcal fair.
More information: Oaxaca's Guelaguetza Festival
See photos of a community Guelaguetza performance.
Oaxaca City Guide
Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament
Buenavista, Baja California Sur, July 24 to 28
A fishing tournament that "celebrates Cabo fishing the way it used to be." In addition to the black and blue marlin, dorado and tuna are also targeted. An expected 75 teams will compete for over $400,000 in cash awards. Weigh-ins, which take place on the beach, are open to the public.
Web Site: Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament
Festival Nueva Paquime
Paquime, Chihuahua, July 26 to 29
Paquime, located in the Casas Grandes region of Chihuahua, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the north of Mexico. This festival aims to celebrate Paquime culture. A variety of events and cultural presentations will take place as part of the festival, including art and handicraft exhibits, poetry readings, and concerts.
Web Site: Festival Nueva Paquime
Festival Internacional de Folclor - International Folklore Festival
Zacatecas, July 31 to August 7
With the participation of 20 different countries and 10 Mexican states, this festival offers varied representations of culture and traditions in dance, crafts and cuisine.
Web Site: Zacatecas Tourism Information
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Mexico Calendar of Festivals and Events
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