If you’re looking for a great weekend plan that includes good food, dancing, and live performances, be sure to check out the Veracruz Festival at Los Pinos. Get your appetite ready and break in your most comfortable shoes, because this event will bring a little piece of Jarocho paradise straight to Mexico City.
Mark your calendars—the festival will take place on July 25 and 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the event will kick off with all the energy of the “Xochitlallis” parade and ritual, inspired by the floral offerings of the Nahua peoples, performed by the Ateneo Sierra de Zongolica Cultural Dance Troupe.
In addition, you’ll be able to enjoy the Xochipilli Ballet of Chicontepec, which will perform the spectacular dances of “Los negritos” and “Los guaguas.” And to keep the party going, there will also be groups like Los Más Penquitos from the Xico neighborhood and the Toros de Almolonga, accompanied by their unmissable wind band.
Attention, foodies—here comes your favorite part!
At the Cocinas de Humo de Cencalli area, 20 traditional cooks from places like Papantla, Xalapa, Acayucan, and Tajín will be waiting for you. What’s on the menu? Get ready to treat your taste buds to zacahuil, spoon tamales, arroz a la tumbada, bocoles, picadas, and some hearty bean gordas. And to wash it all down, don’t forget to try a popo, atoles, aguas frescas, or a delicious regional coffee. Pure flavor!
After lunch, a must-see is Plaza Jacarandas, where artisans from various regions will captivate you with their talent. There will be everything from wood carvings and pottery to palm-leaf hats, loom-woven textiles, and traditional toys. Plus, if you want to get hands-on, you can participate in workshops on painting traditional jícaras, creating papel picado, or playing a game of Totonac Lottery.
You also won’t want to miss the exhibitions, which are perfect for taking photos and finding inspiration. There will be “Faces of Clay: Pottery Makers of Atlahuilco,” Héctor Silva’s beautiful sepia-toned oil paintings of Alvarado’s landscapes, and a spectacular exhibition called “Veracruz: Maps of Thread and Color,” where you’ll see huipiles and traditional costumes.
Admission to all these activities is free, and the exact location is 252 Molino del Rey Avenue, 1st Section of Chapultepec Forest. There’s no excuse to stay home watching movies—join the journey offered by the Veracruz Festival at Los Pinos instead.
