What to Do in Mexico City in October 2026: Day of the Dead and Formula 1
MEXICO CITY · Culture
The Alebrijes parade on 17 October, the Catrinas procession on 25 October and the Day of the Dead parade on 31 October frame a month that also brings Formula 1, Def Leppard and Romeo Santos. The month, day by day.
MEXICO CITY — This is the monthly culture and events guide for people who live in the city or stay for weeks, not a one-weekend tourist list. Here are the things to do in Mexico City October 2026 from 13 October on, day by day, with venues and official ticket sellers, and more coverage is on our Mexico hub.
The second half of October belongs to the Day of the Dead season, with free parades on Paseo de la Reforma and in the Zócalo on 17, 25 and 31 October. The Palacio de los Deportes hosts arena shows almost every week, and the Formula 1 weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez closes the month.
13 to 18 October: Book Fair, Hombres G and the Alebrijes
Until Sunday 18 October
Zócalo International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro del Zócalo)
Plaza de la Constitución, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc · Free
The 26th edition of the city’s open-air book fair fills the main square with publishers, readings and free concerts until Sunday. Most talks are in Spanish, but the stalls and the music stage make it worth an afternoon even with little Spanish.
Until Sunday 25 October
National Mole Fair (Feria Nacional del Mole)
San Pedro Atocpan, Milpa Alta, km 17.5 of the Xochimilco–Oaxtepec road · Entry fee not yet published
At the 49th edition, some 23 traditional restaurants and 17 producers sell the mole sauce that made this hillside town famous, with folk dance and crafts on the side. Take Metro Line 2 to Tasqueña and then a Route 81 or RTP bus towards Milpa Alta, and expect the biggest crowds at weekends.
Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Friday 16 and Sunday 18 October
Hombres G — Los Mejores Años de Nuestra Vida
Auditorio Nacional, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo · 20:30, Sunday 19:00 · Ticketmaster México
The Spanish pop-rock band plays four nights, a run that grew after the first date sold out. It is a seated arena show in Polanco, built around the 1980s hits that made the band a fixture of Spanish-language radio.
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October
Martin Garrix — Americas Tour
Palacio de los Deportes, Granjas México, Iztacalco · Ticketmaster México
The Dutch DJ brings his arena production to the city’s largest indoor venue for two nights. Expect a young crowd and a late finish, and use Velódromo station on Metro Line 9, the closest stop.
Saturday 17 October, 12:00
Monumental Alebrijes Parade (Desfile de Alebrijes Monumentales)
From the Zócalo along 5 de Mayo, Avenida Juárez and Reforma to the Angel of Independence · Free
Giant, brightly painted fantasy creatures built by artisan teams roll from the main square to the Angel in the 18th edition of the parade, organised by the Museo de Arte Popular. Afterwards the alebrijes stand on Paseo de la Reforma between the Angel and the Estela de Luz until 8 November, which makes for an easy evening walk.
19 to 26 October: Def Leppard, the Catrinas and Bachata
Monday 19 October
Def Leppard with Extreme
Palacio de los Deportes, Granjas México, Iztacalco · Ticketmaster México
The British hard-rock band plays its only Mexico City date of the tour, with Extreme, the band behind “More Than Words”, as the opening act. A Monday show leaves the weekend free, and our Def Leppard Mexico City guide has the ticket and travel details.
Sunday 25 October, from about 18:00
Mega Procession of Catrinas (Mega Procesión de Catrinas)
From the Angel of Independence along Reforma, Avenida Juárez and 5 de Mayo to the Zócalo · Free
Groups dressed and painted as La Catrina, the elegant skeleton lady of Mexican folk art, walk from the Angel to the main square. The last groups are due in the Zócalo around 20:30, so pick a spot on Reforma early.
Sunday 25 and Monday 26 October
Romeo Santos and Prince Royce — Mejor Tarde Que Nunca Tour
Palacio de los Deportes, Granjas México, Iztacalco · Ticketmaster México
The two biggest names in modern bachata share a stage on their first joint tour. Expect the crowd to sing every word, and see our Romeo Santos and Prince Royce guide for tickets.
27 October to 1 November: Formula 1 and the Day of the Dead Parade
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October, 20:00
Omar Courtz — Por Si Mañana No Estoy Tour
Palacio de los Deportes, Granjas México, Iztacalco · Sold out, extra show on 3 November
Both October nights of the Puerto Rican urban-music singer are sold out, and a third show has been added for 3 November. Buy only from the official seller or the venue box office, because fake resale tickets circulate for sold-out arena shows.
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October
Calvin Harris — The Line Up Festival
MUNET (Museo Nacional de Energía y Tecnología), Bosque de Chapultepec · Ages 18 and over · Tickets via Tixr
The Scottish DJ headlines the last two nights of The Line Up, a new three-night festival in Chapultepec park, and our Calvin Harris Mexico City guide covers tickets and access. In late September CFE, the state power company that runs the MUNET, said civil-protection and environmental permits were still missing, and the consumer agency Profeco advised waiting before buying; as of 12 October we found no announcement that the permits had been granted.
Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November
Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Granjas México, Iztacalco · Race on Sunday 1 November, 14:00 local (15:00 US Eastern)
Practice runs on Friday and qualifying on Saturday before the 71-lap race on Sunday afternoon. Our Mexico City Grand Prix guide covers tickets, the altitude and how to get to the circuit.
Saturday 31 October, 14:00
Day of the Dead Parade (Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos)
From the Diana Cazadora fountain along Paseo de la Reforma to the Zócalo · Free
Giant skeleton floats, Catrinas and dancers fill Reforma in the city’s biggest parade of the year, which drew more than 1.4 million people in 2025. Arrive by late morning for a place at the barriers, and see our Day of the Dead Mexico City guide for the full programme.
Saturday 31 October
José María Napoleón and Mocedades
Auditorio Nacional, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo · Ticketmaster México
The Mexican balladeer and the Spanish vocal group share a symphonic evening of love songs from the 1970s and 1980s. It is a seated, sentimental night for anyone who grew up with Spanish-language radio.
Saturday 31 October
Alex Fernández — Voz de Mi Sangre Tour
Teatro Metropólitan, Centro, Cuauhtémoc · Ticketmaster México
The young ranchera singer, grandson of Vicente Fernández, performs his own songs and mariachi versions of hits with a live mariachi band and dancers. It is a singer’s night, not the comedian of the same name, in a restored 1940s theatre near the Alameda Central.
Planning Your Month in Mexico City
October is the tail end of the rainy season, with occasional afternoon showers and cool evenings, so carry a light jacket and an umbrella for parades and late shows. No mandatory federal public holiday falls in October, so banks and government offices keep normal hours.
For the Palacio de los Deportes and the Autódromo, the Metro is faster than a car after big events, although platforms are crowded after the encore. On parade days parts of Reforma and the Centro close to traffic for hours, so plan on walking the last stretch.
Ticketmaster México sells most arena and theatre shows, and foreign cards are sometimes declined, so keep a second card ready or buy at the box office. The parades need no ticket but draw very large crowds, so keep phones and wallets in front pockets.
For newcomers, our Living in Mexico City guide covers neighbourhoods and costs, and Moving to Mexico in 2026 explains the paperwork. Free weekly listings are on the city government’s Cartelera CDMX.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Mexico City in October 2026?
The Alebrijes parade on 17 October, the Catrinas procession on 25 October, the Formula 1 Grand Prix from 30 October to 1 November and the Day of the Dead parade on 31 October lead the month. Hombres G, Def Leppard, and Romeo Santos with Prince Royce head the concerts.
When is the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City in 2026?
The Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos starts at 14:00 on Saturday 31 October and runs from the Diana Cazadora fountain along Reforma to the Zócalo. It is free and needs no ticket.
Which events in Mexico City are free this October?
The Zócalo book fair until 18 October, the Alebrijes parade on 17 October, the Catrinas procession on 25 October and the Day of the Dead parade on 31 October are free. The alebrijes stay on display on Paseo de la Reforma until 8 November.
Where can I buy concert tickets in Mexico City?
Ticketmaster México is the official seller for the Palacio de los Deportes, the Auditorio Nacional and the Teatro Metropólitan, and each venue also has a box office. Avoid unofficial resale for sold-out shows, because fake tickets circulate.
Sources: map.cdmx.gob.mx, formula1.com, chilango.com, cronica.com.mx, auditorio.com.mx, eluniversal.com.mx, mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx, deflepparduk.com, adn40.mx, grupoanimal.mx, excelsior.com.mx. Retrieved 12 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
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