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 9 and 10
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 10 to 15
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
Festival Nueva Paquime
Paquime, Chihuahua, July 14 to 17
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
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.
Whale Shark Festival
Isla Mujeres, July 16 to 18
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.
Short Expression Film Festival - Expresion en Corto
San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, Guanajuato, July 22 to 31
This is the biggest film festival in Mexico and one of the most important in Latin America, with the focus on short films, videos and documentaries. This year's theme is "tolerance" and the festival will join forces with the Museum of Memory and Tolerance (Museo de Memoria y Tolerancia, which has carried out various events throughout the year to enhance the dissemination of this topic. This year the guest country is South Korea.
Web Site: Expresion en Corto
Guelaguetza
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, July 25 to August 1
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
Festival Internacional de Folclor - International Folklore Festival
Zacatecas, July 26 to August 2
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
Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament
Buenavista, Baja California Sur, July 26 to 30
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
International Chamber Music Festival
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, July 30 to August 15
The largest chamber music festival in Mexico. See Festivals and Events in August for more info.
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Mexico Calendar of Festivals and Events
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