Not sure what to do in Mexico City in October 2026? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this month’s must-see events. There will be Day of the Dead activities, exhibitions, and plenty of music.
The date for the 2026 Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City has been set! This year, it will take place on Saturday, October 31, and will feature floats and plenty of surprises. The route has not yet been announced, but it is expected to follow Paseo de la Reforma, just as in previous years.
Hundreds of catrinas will parade down Paseo de la Reforma as part of the Day of the Dead events. It is one of the activities scheduled for October 2026 that aims to preserve and promote the traditions associated with this holiday. The procession will begin at the Angel of Independence and end at the Zócalo in Mexico City at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Venture into the Forbidden Forest and face the magical creatures from the worlds of Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™. The tour transforms the trails of Naucalli Park with thousands of lights and sound effects, where you’ll discover life-size hippogriffs, unicorns, and Nifflers hidden among the trees.
During the nighttime walk, you’ll put your wand to the test at various interactive stations to cast spells and even conjure your own Patronus. The route ends with dozens of themed food and drink options inspired by the movies, as well as a store featuring exclusive merchandise.
Not sure what to do in Mexico City this October? Grab your calendar because the parades just keep coming. On Saturday, October 17, the traditional parade of monumental alebrijes will take place, departing from the Zócalo at 12:00 p.m. It will pass along 5 de Mayo Avenue, Juárez Avenue, and Paseo de la Reforma.
Afterward, an exhibition will be set up on Reforma from October 17 to November 8, where you’ll see all the alebrijes that participated in the parade.
Did you get a ticket? After 14 years, Elton John will return to Mexico City to perform a couple of farewell concerts. Get ready to sing his greatest hits at the top of your lungs. It’s one of the events in October 2026 you won’t want to miss.
Not only will there be many parades in October 2026, but also festivals dedicated to pan de muerto. The Day of the Dead edition of the Café y Chocolate Cultural Festival will take place October 2–4 at the National Museum of Popular Cultures. There will be tastings, workshops, catrinas, and items for sale to help you prepare your ofrenda.
This exhibition is one of the October events in Mexico City you won’t want to miss. It’s divided into three thematic sections where you’ll learn more about the work of Alphonse Mucha.
Drinks, must-try dishes, and even pan de muerto. This street market will host a special Day of the Dead edition featuring everything from gourmet products to Mexican snacks, sotol, pulque, and mezcal. There will even be a section where you can purchase art, design, and fashion items.
Music is a must at the October 2026 events in Mexico City. This candlelit concert will feature the greatest hits of the “Divo de Juárez,” including “Abrázame muy fuerte,” “Querida,” “Amor eterno,” “Caray,” and “Así fue,” among other songs. If you can’t make it, don’t worry—this show has additional dates: November 28, December 20, and January 16.
Zombies and sinister creatures will take over our city’s streets just before Halloween! In addition to the procession, there will be other activities, such as a “monstrous aura” battle. Get your best costume ready.
Although admission is free, let’s remember that this is a charity event, so attendees are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items, which will be delivered to the organization Alimento Para Todos México.
Here, the offerings become small works of architecture! Open House CDMX Day of the Dead returns in 2026 with installations designed by architecture firms, which will reinterpret the Day of the Dead tradition through design.
What’s interesting is that you won’t find the typical monumental offerings: there will be 7 offerings at 6 different locations that you can visit over the course of 5 days.
Do you have your costume ready yet? Next Saturday, October 24, we’ll have the Day of the Dead night ride. It’s a parade where everyone dresses up in season-themed costumes. You can join by bike, on foot, on roller skates, or on a skateboard.
Let’s treat our taste buds! For nearly a month, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of moles and must-try dishes. Plus, there will be handicrafts and pieces made by local artisans for sale. Of course, there will be plenty of music and artistic and cultural activities.
Classic and sports cars will participate in the 2026 Carrera Panamericana, which spans 3,500 kilometers. Participants will travel from Veracruz to Mexico City on October 17; the following day, they will continue their journey to their next stop: Puebla. The route will be announced shortly.
Did you think we’d only bring you October events in Mexico City? There will also be plenty to do in the surrounding areas. In Toluca, State of Mexico, the 2026 Alfeñique Fair will be held—an event that will have it all: workshops, theater performances, sales of items for the altar, and many concerts. Caifanes, Ángeles Azules, and other bands will perform for free.
Looking for things to do in Mexico City in October? The 6th Pan de Muerto Festival at the Kaluz Museum will be held on October 3 and 4, 2026, in the Historic Center, featuring tastings, workshops, voting, and offerings ranging from traditional to experimental.
Huge 5-metric-ton monster trucks will put on an adrenaline-fueled show in Mexico City. They’ll compete in races and perform impressive stunts and acrobatics. There will be a couple of shows where, before the main event, you can visit the arena (for an extra fee) and see these massive trucks up close.
Looking for things to do in Mexico City in October 2026 and love a good scare? Check out this play starring Bruno Bichir. It’s a production full of mystery that will feature projections, video mapping, magic tricks, and even levitation. Performances will be held on weekends.
Expo Cerveza 2026 returns to Mexico City and will be held at the WTC with more than 150 breweries, tastings, DJs, and more. Take advantage of that weekend to learn more about this iconic beverage.
This immersive experience by Fantasy Lab takes you through the nine levels of the underworld that a soul traverses after death. In each of the rooms, you’ll find unique scenes that will transport you to another dimension. Best of all, you’ll be able to take plenty of photos along the way.
The UNAM 2026 Mega Offering celebrates the university’s 475th anniversary with monumental installations and sustainable materials. It will be on display on the Universum esplanade from October 31 to November 2, 2026. This year’s edition pays tribute to the university’s 475th anniversary with the theme “475 + Trajectories That Sustain Us.”
Starting October 21, you can visit this immersive experience. Through more than 100 artifacts, 3D projections, and life-size rooms, you’ll discover all the secrets of the Titanic.
Among the October events in Mexico City is a food festival in Roma Norte that brings together vendors selling pan de muerto, coffee, and chocolate, as well as food courts, cacao workshops, and cultural activities. Admission is free, and there will be daily raffles for purchases over $200.
If literature is your thing, we recommend saving these dates. Various publishers, including some independent ones, will participate in this book fair. Admission is free, and during the event there will be book sales, presentations, and talks.
The eighth edition of the Feria de los Barrios will be held in Plaza Santo Domingo in the Historic Center. The guest of honor will be Santa María Aztahuacan, which will showcase traditional crafts and cuisine.
Celebrate the Xolos at the first festival dedicated to these little dogs in Mexico City’s Historic Center. The full schedule has not yet been announced; however, it has been revealed that there will be activities featuring music, science, art, and history, as well as participation from local agencies and museums.
“Por amor a México” is a catrina fashion show that blends makeup, design, music, and dance in Mexico City’s Historic Center. The event will feature very special guests such as Paloma Fierro, the “Amo a México” Folk Ballet, Mariachi Lira de Oro, and more.
Dress up in an otherworldly costume and join the 2026 Monster and Zombie March in Toluca! It’s a family-friendly event with floats, marching groups, and terrifying characters. The route is yet to be confirmed; in previous years, the meeting point was Simón Bolívar Park. Here, we’re not only highlighting October activities in Mexico City but also in nearby areas.
Are you a fan of kittens? Head over to this new museum in Mexico City where you’ll learn more about these little animals while having fun. It features several must-see activities, such as a virtual reality experience that takes you on a unique tour of the city. Best of all, there’s a mural where you can add a photo of your cat.
