Many of Guadalajara's traditional festivities occur in the fall, especially October and November. In October, the festival of Our Lady of Zapopan coincides with the Fiestas de Octubre. In the vicinity of the Benito Juarez Auditorium, hundreds of booths offer visitors everything from food to clothing, toys and handicrafts. An amusement park is also set up for the fiesta, but the main attraction is the entertainment provided by popular Mexican (and sometimes international) musicians who perform every night in the auditorium and in the Palenque, a venue that houses cockfights. The Fiestas de Octubre begin with a parade through downtown Guadalajara and are also marked throughout the month by free performances in the downtown plazas.
September is dedicated to the International Mariachi and Charreria Festival. Mariachis from all over the world converge on the city and, with their domestic counterparts, perform daily in different parts of the city. Each November, Guadalajara hosts the International Book Fair, the largest in Latin America. Cultural events and performances are held around the city to honor each year's specially invited country.
For information about upcoming events, contact the Guadalajara Tourism Bureau. Phone 33-3818-3600. http://vive.guadalajara.gob.mx. Additional information can be found at http://www.jalisco.gob.mx.
To call any of the numbers listed in this calendar from outside Mexico, first dial your country's international access code, then Mexico's country code, 52, then the Guadalajara city code, 33, followed by the number given.
Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.
August, 2008
3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Aug—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
15 Aug—Feast of the Assumption. Religious holiday.
28-31 Aug—International Mariachi and Charreria Festival. International and domestic mariachi groups perform daily in different parts of the city. Many of these performances, which include parades, dance performances and competitions, are free to the public. For information, call 3880-9074 or 3880-9070. http://www.mariachi-jalisco.com.mx. Continues through 7 Sep
September, 2008
1-7 Sep—International Mariachi and Charreria Festival. International and domestic mariachi groups perform daily in different parts of the city. Many of these performances, which include parades, dance performances and competitions, are free to the public. For information, call 3880-9074 or 3880-9070. http://www.mariachi-jalisco.com.mx. Concludes 7 Sep
1 Sep—President's State of the Nation Address. Public holiday. Government offices and banks are closed.
7, 14, 21, 28 Sep—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
16 Sep—Independence Day. Public holiday. Commemorates the beginning of Mexico's revolt for independence from Spanish rule.
October, 2008
1-31 Oct—Fiestas de Octubre. Monthlong festival celebrating Jaliscan culture. Events include parades, art and dance exhibits, concerts, sporting events, rodeos and, of course, food at various locations throughout the city. Auditorio Benito Juarez and other venues. For information, call 672-5598 or 3660-2886. http://www.fiestasdeoctubre.com.mx.
5, 12, 19, 26 Oct—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
12 Oct—Festival of Our Lady of Zapopan. Religious holiday. Celebrates the return of the Virgin's statue to her Basilica in Zapopan.
12 Oct—Dia de la Raza. Public holiday that marks the mixing of Mexico's indigenous people and European races with the arrival of Columbus.
19 Oct—Guadalajara Marathon. Many excited spectators turn out for this scenic race through Guadalajara. For information, call 3637-0408 or 1199-8282. http://www.maraton.com.mx.
November, 2008
1 Nov—Dia de Todos los Santos. All Saints' Day, a public and religious holiday. Most offices and businesses are closed. Families honor their departed loved ones with elaborate altars in their homes.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Nov—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
2 Nov—Dia de los Muertos. All Souls' Day, or Day of the Dead, a public and religious holiday. Most offices and businesses are closed. Skeleton-shaped sweets and breads, wire and clay skeletons, and masses of flowers fill the markets. At night, candlelight processions make their way to cemeteries, where picnics and music pay tribute to the deceased.
20 Nov—Revolution Day. Public holiday. Commemorates the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910.
29, 30 Nov—Guadalajara International Book Fair. This event features almost 2,000 writers from nearly 40 countries. Programs include workshops, meet-the-writer discussions, author readings and book presentations. Expo Guadalajara, Expo Center. For information, call 3268-0900 or 3810-0331. http://www.fil.com.mx. Continues through 7 Dec
Mid November—Soccer. The GDL Cup Tournament is an international youth soccer tournament. San Siro soccer fields. For information, call the Consejo Municipal del Deporte de Guadalajara at 3637-0408. http://www.hectorvaleria.com.
December, 2008
1-7 Dec—Guadalajara International Book Fair. This event features almost 2,000 writers from nearly 40 countries. Programs include workshops, meet-the-writer discussions, author readings and book presentations. Expo Guadalajara, Expo Center. For information, call 3268-0900 or 3810-0331. http://www.fil.com.mx. Concludes 7 Dec
7, 14, 21, 28 Dec—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
12 Dec—Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Public holiday honoring Mexico's patron saint.
16-24 Dec—Las Posadas. Processions re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem.
25 Dec—Dia de Navidad. Public holiday. Families usually celebrate Christmas at home.
28 Dec—Dia de los Santos Inocentes. Commemoration of the children who were killed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the baby Jesus. The day is filled with pranks and practical jokes, much like April Fool's Day in the U.S.
January, 2009
1 Jan—New Year's Day. Public holiday.
4, 11, 18, 25 Jan—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
6 Jan—Dia de los Reyes Magos. Public and religious holiday, also known as Epiphany. Children place their shoes where the Three Kings can find them and fill them with treats. Marks the culmination of Christmas festivities.
Early-Late January—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Continues through mid July
February, 2009
1, 8, 15, 22 Feb—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
5 Feb—Constitution Day. Public holiday commemorating the constitutions of 1857 and 1917, which still guide the governing of Mexico.
Throughout February—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Continues through mid July
March, 2009
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Mar—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
19-27 Mar—Guadalajara International Film Festival. Feature, short and documentary Ibero-American films. Cenit 1158 Jardines del Bosque C.P. For information, call 3121-7461, 3122-7827 or 3121-6860. http://www.guadalajaracinemafest.com.
21 Mar—Birthday of Benito Juarez. Public holiday honoring the leader of the Mexican Revolution.
Throughout March—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Continues through mid July
April, 2009
5, 12, 19, 26 Apr—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
Throughout April—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Continues through mid July
May, 2009
3, 10, 17, 24, 31 May—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
5 May—Cinco de Mayo. National holiday celebrating the defeat of the French army at Puebla in 1862.
10 May—Dia de la Madre. Mother's Day is an important holiday in Mexican culture, with many businesses closed for all or part of the day.
Early-Late May—Festival de Mayo. This monthlong celebration of worldwide culture includes literature readings, art exhibits, food and wine, and performances by musical groups representing a variety of genres. For information, call 3616-8329. http://www.festivaldemayo.org. Continues through early June
Throughout May—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Continues through mid July
June, 2009
1 Jun—Labor Day. Public holiday. Most shops, restaurants and businesses are closed.
7, 14, 21, 28 Jun—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
Early June—Festival de Mayo. This monthlong celebration of worldwide culture includes literature readings, art exhibits, food and wine, and performances by musical groups representing a variety of genres. For information, call 3616-8329. http://www.festivaldemayo.org. Concludes early June
Throughout June—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Continues through mid July
July, 2009
5, 12, 19, 26 Jul—Bullfights. Bullfights occur on Sunday and occasional special events and holidays. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Pirineos No. 1930, Independencia. For information, call 3637-9982, 3651-8378 or 3651-8506. http://www.plazanuevoprogreso.com.
Early-Mid July—Concert. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly at Teatro Degollado, Calle Degollado. For information, call 3658-3812. For tickets, call 3614-4773. http://www.ofj.com.mx. Concludes mid July
