About Guelaguetza
The Guelaguetza is the most important cultural festival in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, a vivid showcase of its Indigenous heritage. The name comes from a Zapotec word meaning a reciprocal offering or gift, and the event gathers delegations from Oaxaca's eight regions to share the music, dance, costume and produce of their communities. It is also known as Los Lunes del Cerro, "the Mondays on the Hill".
The heart of the festival is staged at the open-air Auditorio Guelaguetza on the Cerro del Fortín, overlooking Oaxaca City. Delegations in dazzling regional dress perform folk dances — from the feather-crowned Danza de la Pluma to the pineapple-bearing Flor de Piña — and toss gifts of bread, fruit and handicrafts to the crowd. Parades, mezcal, mole and craft fairs fill the rest of July.
The two main performances, the Lunes del Cerro, fall on the two Mondays following July 16 each year, shifting only when one would land on July 18. Dates vary slightly from year to year, so the countdown above points to the next celebration — add the Guelaguetza to your own countdown page and count down to Oaxaca's grandest fiesta.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026next |
| 2027 | Monday, July 19, 2027 |
FAQ
When is the Guelaguetza?
It is held on the two Mondays after July 16 — in 2026, on July 20 and July 27. The countdown above shows the time until the next festival.
Why is the Guelaguetza celebrated?
It honours and shares the Indigenous cultures of Oaxaca's eight regions, with roots in pre-Hispanic offerings and the Zapotec idea of reciprocal giving.
How is the Guelaguetza celebrated?
Regional delegations perform traditional dances in full costume at the Cerro del Fortín auditorium, throwing gifts to the audience, alongside parades, food and craft fairs.
What does "Guelaguetza" mean?
It is a Zapotec word for a reciprocal gift or offering — the spirit of sharing and mutual help that lies at the festival's core.