What to Do in Guadalajara in October 2026: Fiestas de Octubre, Romería and Big Concerts
GUADALAJARA · Culture
The Fiestas de Octubre run to 2 November, the Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan fills the streets on Monday 12 October, and Gloria Trevi, Río Roma and Kenia OS play the fair. The month, day by day.
GUADALAJARA — This is a practical month-long guide for expats, digital nomads and long-stay visitors who want to know what is actually on in the city. Use it to plan your things to do in guadalajara october 2026 around the fair, the big religious procession and the concerts worth crossing the city for. Events before 4 October are left out. For the cost side of living here, see our Guadalajara cost-of-living guide.
October in Guadalajara is dominated by the Fiestas de Octubre, the state fair at the Auditorio Jalisco site in Huentitán el Bajo. The other fixed point is the Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan on Monday 12 October, a huge free procession that changes how the whole western side of the city moves that day. Around those two anchors sit a strong run of concerts, from Cultura Profética and Gloria Trevi to Rosana and the Harlem Globetrotters, plus smaller metal shows for residents who want a night out away from the fairground.
Sunday 4 October: The fair is open and the Sunday concerts
Friday 2 October to Monday 2 November
Fiestas de Octubre 2026
Auditorio Jalisco site, Huentitán el Bajo · Free on 2 October; from 3 October MXN 60 general (about US$3.30), MXN 30 reduced (about US$1.65)
Guadalajara’s principal annual fair, now in its 61st edition, combines headline concerts, food, rides and exhibitions for a full month. The grounds open daily at 11:00 with rides and family activities before the evening concerts. Reduced admission applies to children aged 3 to 12, students and older adults. Access to some stage shows costs extra (MXN 200 to 2,300, about US$11 to 127, depending on the artist).
Sunday 4 October
PICUS at Fiestas de Octubre
Auditorio Jalisco (formerly Auditorio Benito Juárez), Huentitán el Bajo · Included in fair admission
A youth-oriented pop performance in Zapopan. Sunday is a good low-pressure introduction if you are new to the city.
Sunday 4 October, 20:30
Cultura Profética
Auditorio Telmex, Zapopan · MXN 550 to 1,850 (about US$30 to 102) · Ticketmaster
The Puerto Rican reggae group plays a career-spanning set in one of the metropolitan area’s largest venues. It is a relaxed Sunday-night option with a different rhythm from the fair.
5 to 11 October: Regional Mexican, pop and the fair’s first full week
Monday 5 October
Los Horóscopos de Durango at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · $60 MXN general, $30 MXN reduced
A prominent regional-Mexican act in the fair’s headline schedule. Monday nights at the fair are quieter than the weekend, which makes this a good time to explore the grounds and still catch a big name. The reduced admission applies to children, students and older adults.
Tuesday 6 October, 20:00
La Arrolladora Banda El Limón at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · Fair admission; some stage access may cost extra
One of Mexico’s most commercially significant banda groups. If you want to understand why banda fills stadiums in Jalisco, this is a useful education. Arrive early for a good spot at the Foro Principal.
Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October, 09:00 to 20:00
Papirolas 2026
Centro Cultural Universitario, Guadalajara · Price from the venue
The 31st edition of the University of Guadalajara’s children’s science and creativity festival, themed “Colores, somos luz”. It is aimed at children and young people, with workshops, science activities and creative play.
Thursday 8 October, 20:00
Gloria Trevi at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · Fair admission; some stage access may cost extra
A major Mexican pop-rock headliner with broad national appeal and one of the fair’s strongest midweek bookings. Check at the official Fiestas de Octubre channels whether a seat needs an additional ticket beyond fair admission.
Thursday 8 October
Mortiis
Foro Independencia, Centro, Guadalajara · MXN 800 to 1,000 (about US$44 to 55)
The Norwegian dark-ambient project plays an intimate downtown venue. Doors are listed in the early evening, so confirm the time with the venue.
Friday 9 October
Río Roma at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · Fair admission; some stage access may cost extra
A major romantic-pop act in the public fair program. Friday at the fair is busy, so plan to arrive before the evening rush if you want food and rides before the show. Confirm performance access rules in advance.
Friday 9 October, 21:00
Rosana
Teatro Diana, Centro, Guadalajara · Price from the venue
Saturday 10 October
Obscura, Abysmal Dawn, Thulcandra and Orion Rise
C3 Stage, Americana, Guadalajara · Price from the venue
Saturday 10 October, 20:00
Harlem Globetrotters
Arena Guadalajara, Huentitán el Bajo · MXN 502 to 1,569 (about US$28 to 86)
The exhibition basketball team tours Mexico with its trick-shot show. It is an easy family outing and a good first arena night if you are new to the city.
Saturday 10 October
Final of Canta Jalisco Canta at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco (formerly Auditorio Benito Juárez), Huentitán el Bajo · Fair admission; some stage access may cost extra
The final of the state singing contest, with a MXN 100,000 prize (about US$5,500).
Sunday 11 October
Mariano Barba at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · Fair admission; some stage access may cost extra
12 October: Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan
Monday 12 October, from 05:00 (Farewell Mass); procession from 06:30
Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan
Guadalajara Cathedral to the Basilica of Zapopan · Free
One of the region’s largest religious and cultural traditions, a procession of roughly 9 km with traditional dancers. The image of the Virgin of Zapopan is carried from the Metropolitan Cathedral along Juárez-Vallarta and Avenida Américas to the Arcos de Zapopan, expected around 10:30, and ends at the Basilica. Officials expect more than three million participants, so plan around road closures and slow public transport.
Monday 12 October
Fiesta Cumbiera with Los Hijos de Mike Laure and La Sonora Kaliente at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · $60 MXN general, $30 MXN reduced
14 October onward: Pop headliners and surprise acts
Wednesday 14 October, 20:00
Kenia OS at Fiestas de Octubre
Foro Principal, Auditorio Jalisco, Huentitán el Bajo · Fair admission; some stage access may cost extra
Planning your Guadalajara in October
October in Guadalajara is warm during the day and cooler at night, with the rainy season usually tapering off. Carry a light layer for evenings at the fair or after concerts. The Fiestas de Octubre are a constant option until 2 November at the fairground in Huentitán el Bajo; the Foro Principal dates on 15, 20 and 28 October are billed as surprise-artist nights. Our Fiestas de Octubre guide covers the Palenque, and Tiësto plays Guadalajara on 24 October. More Mexico coverage is on our Mexico hub.
The Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan takes place on Monday, 12 October 2026, a major religious procession that closes roads and slows public transport across the western side of the city. Plan errands and meetings away from the route that day. The fair itself stays open, but getting there may take longer than usual. The Farewell Mass is at 05:00 and the procession leaves at 06:30.
For tickets, check the official Fiestas de Octubre channels for fair admission and performance access, and the official sellers for Auditorio Telmex, Arena Guadalajara, Teatro Diana, C3 Stage and Foro Independencia. Several venues did not publish prices, so verify before purchase. Peso prices in this guide are converted at about 18.1 pesos per US dollar (RT, 2 October close). Foreign cards generally work on major platforms, but having a Mexican debit card or cash can help at smaller venues.
At night, use ride-hailing apps or authorised taxis, especially after events at the fairground or in Zapopan. The fair is well attended and generally safe, but keep an eye on your belongings in crowds. For weekly listings, check El Informador’s agenda and the Visit Jalisco activities page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Fiestas de Octubre 2026 dates?
The Fiestas de Octubre run from Friday 2 October to Monday 2 November 2026 at the Auditorio Jalisco site in Huentitán el Bajo, Guadalajara.
How much does it cost to enter the Fiestas de Octubre?
Entry is free on 2 October. From 3 October general admission is MXN 60 (about US$3.30) and reduced admission MXN 30 (about US$1.65) for children, students and older adults; access to some stage shows costs extra.
When is the Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan in 2026?
The Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan takes place on Monday 12 October 2026. The Farewell Mass is at 05:00 and the procession leaves Guadalajara Cathedral at 06:30 for the Basilica of Zapopan.
Which big concerts are in Guadalajara in October 2026?
Cultura Profética plays Auditorio Telmex on 4 October, Gloria Trevi plays the Fiestas de Octubre on 8 October, Rosana is at Teatro Diana on 9 October and the Harlem Globetrotters are at Arena Guadalajara on 10 October.
Sources: nuevaalcarria.com, cronica.com.mx, reporteindigo.com, songkick.com, informador.mx, informador.mx. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief