OAXACA · Culture
Oaxaca’s next three weeks open with the Tule tree’s birthday on 12 October, add a regional Mexican concert and an Afro-Mexican festival, and end with the Day of the Dead parade on 31 October.
OAXACA — Oaxaca de Juárez has nine events with a published date between Monday 12 and Saturday 31 October 2026, and most list no admission price. The first is the 12 October birthday of El Tule, the ancient cypress outside the city. The biggest is the Day of the Dead parade on Saturday 31 October.
This guide is for people who live in the city or are staying for weeks. Dates, times and venues come from the state tourism programme as reported by Oaxaca’s regional press and from event listings, checked on 11 October 2026. We found fewer than ten confirmed events, so we list only those. Where no price is published, we say so, and we give no peso amounts because none were published.
For US readers: Oaxaca is on UTC−6 all year. Until US clocks change on 1 November, it is one hour behind Chicago and two hours behind New York.
12 to 19 October: a tree, a concert and a coastal festival
Monday 12 October, 06:00 to midnight
Birthday of the Árbol del Tule
Santa María del Tule · Admission price not published
The town celebrates its ancient Montezuma cypress. The programme lists “Mañanitas con Chirimía” (a dawn serenade with a traditional pipe and drum) at 06:00, a pre-Hispanic ritual from 06:10 to 07:00, Mass from 10:00 to 12:00 and a traditional dance from 19:30 to midnight. The tree is a short taxi or colectivo ride east of the city, so go early for the quietest hour.
Saturday 17 October, 21:00
El Trono de México and Lenin Ramírez
Auditorio Guelaguetza, Fortín · Ticket price not confirmed
A double bill of regional Mexican acts at the open-air hillside venue used for the Guelaguetza dance festival in July. Oaxaca’s regional press lists both acts; a tour-date listing confirms the El Trono de México date and time. We could not confirm ticket prices, so check the organiser before you go. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the practical way home, as the hill is far from the centre.
Monday 19 October, procession 16:00, programme 17:00
Guelaguetza Afro, “La Rejunjuneada”
Chacahua Isla, Villa de Tututepec, Costa de Oaxaca · Free admission
The state government lists this Afro-Mexican celebration on the Pacific coast, with a street procession followed by the main programme. It is a long trip from the city, so plan an overnight stay and check road and boat access with local hosts.
26 to 31 October: the Day of the Dead run-up
From Monday 26 October to Tuesday 3 November
Day of the Dead programme, state capital
Parque Juárez “El Llano”, Templo de Jalatlaco and the Zócalo · Prices not published
The state government announced more than 100 activities for this period. They include a marigold-field circuit called “Flores que guían el alma” that starts at Parque Juárez, a 250 square metre sand tapestry in the Jalatlaco neighbourhood, a facade competition in the historic centre and “Casa Hecho en Oaxaca” at the Real Alhóndiga from 10:00 to 20:00. Exact daily schedules were not yet published.
Friday 30 October, 19:00
Verbena Xandú
Zócalo · Free tamales, bread, chocolate and coffee
A popular evening fair in the main square, with free traditional food, as part of the state programme. Arrive early, since free food draws crowds.
Friday 30 October, 22:00
Recorrido al Mictlán race
Ex Convento de Santo Domingo · Price not published
A night run themed on the Aztec underworld, starting from the former convent beside the Santo Domingo church. Entry rules and fees were not published.
Saturday 31 October, 18:00
Gran Comparsa of Day of the Dead
Calzada Porfirio Díaz to García Vigil · Public parade
A costumed street parade from Calzada Porfirio Díaz to García Vigil street. A comparsa is a travelling band of costumed dancers and musicians. Stand along García Vigil early if you want a clear view.
Saturday 31 October, evening
Catrinas contest and concert
Alameda de León, Centro · Price not published
The programme lists a contest for the best Catrina costume (the elegant skeleton figure of Day of the Dead) and a concert in the park beside the cathedral. Reports give the concert start as 20:00. The artists were not named.
Running through the month
Until Saturday 31 October
Mole de caderas in Oaxaca restaurants
Participating restaurants, Oaxaca de Juárez · Dish prices vary
After the 10 and 11 October festival, participating restaurants in the city keep mole de caderas, a goat-hip stew from the Mixteca region, on the menu until 31 October. The state tourism ministry did not publish the restaurant list in the sources we checked, so ask your hotel.
Planning your Oaxaca in October
October is the end of the rainy season in the Valles Centrales, so showers are possible in the afternoon and evenings turn cooler. Carry a light layer for outdoor concerts at the Auditorio Guelaguetza, which sits on a hill above the city.
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) runs from 31 October to 2 November, with the main observances on 1 and 2 November. Our Day of the Dead 2026 date guide explains the calendar.
Many events do not publish prices online. Ask at the venue, and carry cash, since smaller venues do not always take foreign cards. For daily costs, see our Oaxaca cost-of-living guide, and for food context our explainer on tlayudas. More coverage is in the Mexico section.
What it means for you: a US visitor staying a month can reach most of this without a car. The Day of the Dead events are in the centre, while the Tule, Chacahua and Fortín trips need a taxi or a local driver. Hotel prices for the Day of the Dead week usually rise, so book early if you want 31 October to 2 November.
What we could not confirm: ticket prices for the Trono de México concert, the artists at the 31 October concert, daily schedules of the Day of the Dead programme from 26 October, and fees for the Mictlán race. We did not list events whose date, venue or organiser we could not verify, including several exhibitions and arts-centre programmes that earlier listings mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What events are on in Oaxaca between 12 and 31 October 2026?
The Tule tree celebrates its birthday on Monday 12 October, El Trono de México and Lenin Ramírez play the Auditorio Guelaguetza on Saturday 17 October at 21:00, and Guelaguetza Afro takes place in Chacahua on Monday 19 October. The Day of the Dead programme begins on 26 October.
When is the Gran Comparsa of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca in 2026?
The Gran Comparsa leaves at 18:00 on Saturday 31 October and runs from Calzada Porfirio Díaz to García Vigil street. A Catrinas contest and a concert follow at the Alameda de León.
Is Día de Muertos in October or November in Oaxaca?
Día de Muertos is celebrated from 31 October to 2 November, with the main observances on 1 and 2 November. The state programme of more than 100 activities in the capital runs from 26 October to 3 November.
What is the Verbena Xandú in Oaxaca?
It is a popular evening fair in the Zócalo on Friday 30 October at 19:00, with free tamales, bread, chocolate and coffee, listed in the state Day of the Dead programme.
Is the Guelaguetza Afro on 19 October free?
Yes. The state government lists free admission for the celebration at Chacahua Isla, Villa de Tututepec, with a procession at 16:00 and the main programme at 17:00.