Earth, Wind & Fire Experience in Guadalajara on 17 December

MEXICO · GUADALAJARA CONCERT

The funk and soul hits of the 1970s return to Guadalajara a week before Christmas. The band carries the name of Al McKay, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay plays the Auditorio Telmex in Guadalajara on Thursday, 17 December 2026. The venue lists a 9:00 p.m. start, with tickets sold through Ticketmaster Mexico.

For US fans, that start is 10:00 p.m. Eastern, and the cheapest seats cost about US$37. Guadalajara and nearby Lake Chapala are home to one of the largest communities of American retirees in Mexico.

Who Is Playing and Why It Matters

Al McKay was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. His band performs the group’s catalogue under the name Earth, Wind & Fire Experience.

This is not the main Earth, Wind & Fire touring band, a point US fans should note before buying. The venue presents the show as a night of funk, soul and the anthems that made the world dance.

The Auditorio Telmex lists guitarist Gregory Moore in the line-up, with vocalists Tim Owens, Devere Duckett and Claude Woods. The tour is billed as the Intimus Legacy Mexico Tour.

For many American residents in Jalisco, the songbook is music they grew up with in the United States. A mid-week date in December also suits retirees who prefer quieter crowds than weekend shows.

Tickets and Prices

Ticketmaster Mexico is the official seller online, and the Auditorio Telmex box office also sells tickets. The venue lists the box office as open Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The venue lists the following prices in Mexican pesos. Amounts are converted at MXN 18.36 per US dollar, the open.er-api.com rate of 14 October 2026.

• VIP: MXN 3,200 (about US$174)
• Luneta Baja, the lower floor: MXN 2,350 (about US$128)
• Accessible seating: MXN 1,500 (about US$82)
• Luneta Alta, the upper floor: MXN 1,450 (about US$79)
• First balcony: MXN 880 (about US$48)
• Second balcony: MXN 680 (about US$37)

The venue page does not say whether these prices include Ticketmaster service fees. Expect the final checkout price online to be somewhat higher than the face value.

Buy only through Ticketmaster Mexico or the venue box office. Tickets offered on social media or by resellers outside the hall may be fake.

The Venue and How to Get There

The Auditorio Telmex is a modern concert hall in Zapopan, the city that borders Guadalajara to the northwest. It is one of the main stops for international tours in western Mexico.

Most visitors reach the hall by rideshare app or taxi, as public transport late at night is limited. Plan the ride home in advance, because thousands of people leave at the same time.

Visitors flying in arrive at Guadalajara International Airport, which has nonstop flights to many US cities. The airport lies south of the city, so allow extra time to reach Zapopan in evening traffic.

Guests coming from Lake Chapala or Ajijic face a drive of roughly an hour each way. A booked driver or a night in Guadalajara is easier than driving back after a late show.

December evenings in Guadalajara are dry and mild but can turn cool after dark. A light jacket is useful for the wait outside before and after the concert.

Tips for US and Foreign Visitors

US citizens visiting Mexico as tourists generally do not need a visa for short stays. A valid passport is required, and the length of stay is set by the immigration officer at entry.

The State Department lists Jalisco under a Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory because of terrorism, crime and kidnapping. It sets no extra staff limits for the Guadalajara area, Chapala or Ajijic, but bars intercity travel after dark.

Use rideshare apps or taxis called by your hotel rather than hailing cars on the street. Keep phones and wallets out of sight when leaving the hall at night.

Card payments are widely accepted in Guadalajara, but carry some pesos for small purchases. At MXN 18.36 per US dollar, MXN 500 is about US$27.

Mid-December is a busy travel period in Mexico, as the holiday season begins. Booking flights and hotels soon after buying a ticket avoids the steepest seasonal prices.

What It Means for You

For US residents of Guadalajara or Lake Chapala, this is classic funk close to home, with seats from about US$37. The 9:00 p.m. start makes for a late night, so plan transport early.

Guadalajara stays on Central Standard Time all year, as Mexico ended daylight saving time in 2022. In December the city runs one hour behind US Eastern time.

What Is Not Known

The venue has not published door times or an opening act, and its line-up does not name McKay himself. The set length and the number of seats left in each section are also not public.

The venue page does not say whether its listed prices include service fees. No second Guadalajara date has been announced.

What Comes Next

Any change to the start time or seating would be announced through Ticketmaster Mexico and the venue. Ticket holders should check their account and email in the week before the show.

The Auditorio Telmex lists Earth, Wind & Fire Experience among its December concerts, with other shows before and after. Fans can follow the venue’s calendar for further announcements.

Connected Coverage

The Rio Times Guadalajara city guide covers neighbourhoods, transport and costs for visitors and new residents. For this month’s events, see What to Do in Guadalajara in October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does Earth, Wind & Fire Experience play in Guadalajara?

The band plays the Auditorio Telmex in Zapopan, in the Guadalajara area, on Thursday, 17 December 2026. The show starts at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 10:00 p.m. US Eastern.

How much do tickets cost?

The venue lists prices from MXN 680 to MXN 3,200 (about US$37 to US$174). Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster Mexico and the venue box office.

Is this the original Earth, Wind & Fire?

No, it is a band named after Al McKay, a Hall of Fame member of Earth, Wind & Fire. It performs the group’s songs but is not the main touring band.

Sources: Auditorio Telmex, Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay; Auditorio Telmex, calendar and box office; US State Department, Mexico country information; US State Department, Mexico travel advisory; Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Earth, Wind & Fire; open.er-api.com, exchange rates (all accessed 14 October 2026).