PLAYA DEL CARMEN · Culture
From free jazz workshops on 12 October to the Day of the Dead festival at Xcaret on 30 October, 9 events in Playa del Carmen with dates, venues and prices in US$.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico. Playa del Carmen’s October calendar runs from free jazz workshops on Monday 12 October to the 20th Festival de Vida y Muerte (Festival of Life and Death) at Xcaret, which starts on Friday 30 October.
In between come a wine festival, a children’s show and a run of evenings at the city’s Teatro de la Ciudad.
This guide lists events that still lie ahead as of Monday 12 October 2026 and that an organiser, venue or ticket seller confirms. Where no price is published, we say so instead of guessing.
For readers in the United States, the practical point is cost. Prices are in Mexican pesos, at about MXN 18.2 per US$1 (RT, 12 October 2026), so the Wine Fest costs about US$87 in advance and a children’s show about US$32 to US$38.
Key Facts
- Who: Residents, expats and visitors in Playa del Carmen, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast
- What: 9 events from 12 to 31 October 2026, from free jazz workshops to a wine festival at MXN 1,590 (about US$87)
- Biggest date: Friday 30 October to Monday 2 November: the 20th Festival de Vida y Muerte at Xcaret Park
- Why it matters: Several events are free or have no published price, so check each organiser before you travel
- Exchange rate: About MXN 18.2 per US$1 (RT, 12 October 2026)
12 to 17 October: jazz workshops, desserts and theatre
Monday 12 to Friday 16 October, 14:30
Jazz Fest workshops
Escuela Explayarte, Playa del Carmen · Free
The Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest runs an improvisation workshop from Monday to Friday, 14:30 to 16:00. A jazz ensemble workshop runs on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 October at the same time. The festival’s programme does not name the instructors.
Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October
Festival del Postre (Dessert Festival)
Plaza 28 de Julio · Time and price not published
A showcase of bakeries, pastry makers, restaurants and independent food businesses. The vendor list had not been released. Our source is a press report of the city’s festival calendar, not an official page.
Friday 16 October, 20:00
El Show de Teo González
Teatro de la Ciudad, Playa del Carmen · Price not published
The theatre lists the show on its October programme. The ticket page did not load, so we cannot give a price.
Saturday 17 October, 19:00
Wine Fest XI
Nicte-Ha, Distrito Xcalacoco Beach, north of Playa del Carmen · MXN 1,590 in advance (about US$87), MXN 1,890 at the door (about US$104)
An adults-only evening from 19:00 to 23:00 with more than 80 wine labels, food stations and live music. The listing offers a free tenth ticket for groups of nine.
Saturday 17 October, 20:00
Raúl Ornelas
Teatro de la Ciudad, Playa del Carmen · Price not published by the organiser
A concert by the Chiapas-born singer-songwriter, known for acoustic folk and trova.
20 to 31 October: family show, aerial dance and the Day of the Dead
Tuesday 20 October, 17:00
Zenón y sus Amigos, Dance Party Tributo
Teatro de la Ciudad, Playa del Carmen · MXN 590 to MXN 690 (about US$32 to US$38)
A family show in which children sing and dance with characters. Mezzanine seats cost MXN 590, general admission MXN 640 and preferred seats MXN 690, and every child needs a ticket.
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October, 09:00 and 14:30
AIRE aerial dance competition
Teatro de la Ciudad, Playa del Carmen · Price not published
An aerial dance competition on the theatre’s October programme. The daytime slots suggest a school or group audience.
Friday 30 October to Monday 2 November
Festival de Vida y Muerte, 20th edition
Xcaret Park, south of Playa del Carmen · Price and daily hours not published
Grupo Xcaret’s Day of the Dead festival, which has Guanajuato as guest of honour this year, with monumental altars and a gastronomy programme. The official site was not available when we checked, so confirm admission before you go.
Saturday 31 October, 22:00
Pandora and Flans, +Inesperado Tour
Teatro Gran Tlachco, Xcaret Park · Price not published
A pop concert within the Festival de Vida y Muerte. We have not confirmed whether it is included in festival admission.
Planning your October in Playa del Carmen
Teatro de la Ciudad hosts four of the events here, so one ticket office or website covers most of the city’s indoor programme. Wine Fest XI is north of town at Xcalacoco, so plan a taxi or a pre-arranged ride.
Check the ticket page for the final venue, time and price before you travel, because organisers can change them. We checked every weekday in this guide against the calendar.
What it means for you
If you are visiting from the United States, the free jazz workshops are the cheapest option, while the Wine Fest is the priciest ticket we can confirm. The peso price converts to about US$87 to US$104 for the Wine Fest, which is clear value only if you want the full evening.
Residents can fit most of the programme around work, because the theatre shows run in the evening and the workshops in the afternoon.
What is not known
We found no confirmed 2026 programme for Hanal Pixán, the Maya Day of the Dead tradition, so we list only the Xcaret festival. Prices for the theatre shows, the dessert festival and the aerial dance competition are not published, and Xcaret has not published 2026 admission details on pages we could open.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Playa del Carmen in October 2026?
The 20th Festival de Vida y Muerte at Xcaret Park runs from Friday 30 October to Monday 2 November. In the city itself, Wine Fest XI on Saturday 17 October and the Teatro de la Ciudad programme are the main listed events.
Are there free events in Playa del Carmen in October 2026?
Yes. The Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest runs free improvisation workshops on weekdays from 12 to 16 October at Escuela Explayarte, from 14:30 to 16:00.
How much is Wine Fest XI in Playa del Carmen?
Advance tickets cost MXN 1,590 (about US$87) and general admission costs MXN 1,890 (about US$104), at about MXN 18.2 per US$1. The listing offers a free tenth ticket for groups of nine.
Where is the Festival de Vida y Muerte held?
The festival is held at Xcaret Park, south of Playa del Carmen, from Friday 30 October to Monday 2 November. The Pandora and Flans concert is on Saturday 31 October at 22:00 at Teatro Gran Tlachco.
Is there a family event in Playa del Carmen in October 2026?
Yes. Zenón y sus Amigos plays Teatro de la Ciudad on Tuesday 20 October at 17:00, with tickets from MXN 590 (about US$32). Every child needs a ticket.
Related reading: Mexico news and What to Do in Tulum in October 2026.