Festivals and Annual Events

The MICFF promotes budding directors and film makers in the city. Initiated in 2004, this event was an instant hit and drew in crowds from all over the city, also attracting a significant number of international enthusiasts. Aimed at putting México City on the map of modern cultural hotspots, this festival is for everyone who likes to be associated with cinema and film, whether it is creating, viewing, rating, or just criticizing for fun. Screenings of various genres of film, ranging from documentaries to pure imaginative fiction, discussion groups and interview sessions with the film makers, and competitions for amateur film makers are the main highlights of this festival.

Usually held in mid-March every year, this is a music and arts festival that promises a pleasant change of taste from just another ordinary arts festival. Renowned national and international names in the music and performance industry gather around to perform in the city’s squares, parks, and palaces. With theatrical shows, dance performances, musical nights, and exhibitions of paintings and literary works, this festival has something to match everyone’s taste. It also has special evening shows for children and families.

The largest of all cultural festivals taking place in Mexico. A largely open-air festival featuring musical nights, theatrical performances, dance and drama, and exhibitions of contemporary and modernistic visual arts. Also includes activities for children. Some family activities are free to participate in. The festival progresses as a series of events held at various venues throughout the city.

Got a fine taste for art? Or a taste for the fine arts? This art exhibition is a sure delight for any art lover. An exclusive artist’s event, the ICAF caters to well-established as well as emerging talent. Display booths categorized according to the artists’ experience, into different sizes, collectively covering an area of around 10’000 sq m, including a Publications Sections that caters to photographic and video displays by national as well as international media. Special booths are sometimes also arranged for solo projects by eminent artists. Some shows of the exhibition might include trips to local museums and cultural centers.

date:16-26 July San Angel Flower Festival has roots deep in tradition. It began in the ancient times when inhabitants of Mexico City worshipped numerous gods one of which is Xiuhtecuitl, the God of the Flowers. The San Angel Flower Festival is held in honor of Xiuhtecuitl and to seek a productive season for flowers and fruits. The festival comprises of various neighborhood-level events arranged in streets, churches, and other places of cultural significance. A wide variety of some of the finest of Mexico’s flowers are up for sale. And like all festivals of a lively city, this event also features live street performances and street parties open for free to every fun-loving person! The festival is held from 16-26 July every year. Website: http://feriadelasfloresdesanangel.blogspot.com/

Date: 15, 16 September The Independence Day celebrations in Mexico City are a sight to behold! And for the extensive traveler, these celebrations are unlike any other Independence Day celebrations around the world. The history of Mexico is filled with heroes real and legendary, and this celebration pays homage to the heroes that helped Mexico gain independence from the Spanish colonial administration.

Date: 2 November A festival that sure sounds spooky but forms an important part of the spiritual beliefs of every Mexican is the Dia de los Muertos, the equivalent of Halloween in Mexico. Entrances to homes are adorned with skeletons and small bones, believed to attract (and invite) relatives who have passed away, so that they may come into the family home to spend a few hours with their loved ones. The day starts with visits to graveyard, where graves are tidied up and ornamented with fresh flowers, and special prayers are said for the deceased. Marigolds and favorite food and drinks of the deceased are also laid by the grave. Processions are also taken out in the city’s streets in remembrance of the dead, with props, flowers, and costumes.

Date: 11-12 December Dedicated pilgrims from all around the globe come to pay their respects to the patron saint of Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe, at her Basilica in the north of the city. Performances by Conchero players and festive dancing fills the city squares from the morning of the 11th and continues all through the night into the next day, and goes on till the evening of the 12th, where feasts mark the end of the celebrations.