Mexico has got a lot going on during the month of August, including wine festivals, music and film festivals, cultural events, and more. There's no shortage of things to do if you're headed to Mexico this month.
August is usually rainy and warm in central and southern Mexico, whereas northern Mexico tends to be hot and dry. It's still hurricane season, and most hurricanes take place between August and October, so keep an eye on weather reports before and during your trip. School holidays continue through this month, so tourist attractions may be crowded with Mexican families on vacation, but there are fewer international tourists, so good deals abound. Here are some of the important events which take place in Mexico in August.
Mariachi music fills the streets of Guadalajara at the end of August and during the first week of September. This is Guadalajara's most important cultural event of the year, and it captures the essence of the city. Mariachi musicians come from around the world to listen, audition and compete. There are parades and performances take place on the street, and in various venues throughout the city.
This fair is held in the small town of Huamantla, Tlaxcala, in central Mexico. It's dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and miles of the city's streets are decorated with beautiful tapestries made of colorful flower petals and colored sawdust. A running of the bulls follows, along with traditional folk dances and a fair.
In this popular annual celebration held during the last few days of August, a series of historical representations of battles between Moors and Christians take place on the Lomas de Bracho in Zacatecas state. The event also commemorates St. John the Baptist, whose Saints' day is celebrated on August 29th.
A fishing tournament in Baja California Sur, Brisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament is held during the first week of August. In addition to black and blue marlin, dorado and tuna are also targeted. An expected 75 teams will compete for over $400,000 in cash awards. Weigh-ins, which take place on the beach, are open to the public.
Chile en Nogada season lasts from July through September, but the month of August is the best time to sample this festive Mexican dish that consists of a poblano chile stuffed with meat and dried fruit, covered in a walnut sauce and garnished with pomegranate seeds. Some consider this Mexico's national dish. It was created in Puebla and it is served in many restaurants in that city, but you will find it served in various destinations throughout the country.
This celebration of the grape harvest in Mexico's wine country, Guadalupe Valley, includes visits to wineries, wine tasting, fine dining, and concerts. The festival kicks off with a wine show held at the Centro Cultural Riviera del Pacífico in Ensenada, in which vintage wines and local cuisine will be in the spotlight.
Over 130 Mexican artisans from all over the country exhibit their artistic wares at this handicrafts fair in Tlaquepaque, near Guadalajara. Jewelry, furniture, candles, ceramics, pewter, wood accessories, and blown glass are among the products showcased.
FENAPO, the national fair held in San Luis Potosí, has the primary objective of promoting culture through various manifestations of the fine arts. Theatre, dance, opera performances, as well as photography and painting exhibitions are some of the events you can enjoy during this festival, besides mechanical rides and other typical fairground activities and popular music concerts.
The Festival Internacional de Cine de Monterrey has as its goals to provide the city of Monterrey with a space where filmmakers can meet and present their work, spread cinematographic culture, share visions with the public, and form audiences for Mexican and world cinema through the presentation of film materials for children, youth, and adults. It gives filmmakers an opportunity to come together to discuss their work and for audience members to learn about their process.