What’s On in Latin America: The Week Ahead, July 16–22
What’s On · Latin America
Key Facts
- The World Cup final. Argentina meet Spain on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife near New York.
- Third place. England play France in Saturday’s play-off in Miami.
- Oaxaca. The Feria del Mezcal opens Friday and runs to July 28.
- Guelaguetza. Oaxaca’s first Lunes del Cerro falls on July 20.
- Mexico City. Harry Styles plays the GNP Seguros stadium on July 31.
The week belongs to the World Cup final, with Argentina carrying the region against Spain on Sunday. Off the pitch, Oaxaca opens its biggest festival season, and the cultural calendar picks up after the tournament.
The World Cup final
Argentina reached Sunday’s final with a late comeback against England, and meet Spain on July 19 at MetLife, near New York. It is the region’s last team in the tournament, so fan zones will fill across Latin America.
Buenos Aires’s Plaza Seeber is the epicentre, with screens also up in Rio, São Paulo, Bogotá and Mexico City. England and France contest the third-place game in Miami on Saturday.
Oaxaca’s festival season
Oaxaca opens its Feria del Mezcal on July 17, running to July 28 alongside the Guelaguetza, the state’s biggest cultural event. The first Lunes del Cerro, the festival’s centrepiece, falls on July 20.
Expect the city to be busy and hotels full, so book ahead if you are travelling. It is one of Mexico’s most rewarding weeks for food, mezcal and folk dance.
Music and city calendars
In Mexico City, Harry Styles plays the GNP Seguros stadium on July 31, with tickets on sale. The capital’s winter concert calendar builds through the end of the month.
Buenos Aires, Santiago and Montevideo keep their winter theatre and music programmes running, though much of the region’s attention is on the football this weekend.
Coast and beaches
On the Caribbean coast, sargassum continues to land on parts of the Riviera Maya, with only a handful of beaches fully clear. Sheltered bays and the cenotes remain the reliable option.
In the south, it is midwinter, so Patagonia and the Andes are in ski season while the cities run their indoor calendars.
Planning ahead
The World Cup final closes the tournament on Sunday, and the following week brings the Guelaguetza’s second Lunes del Cerro on July 27. Peru’s presidential inauguration follows on July 28.
Confirm dates and venues before you travel, as festival schedules can shift. Fan zones and transport will be crowded on Sunday evening wherever Argentina are playing.
More: Latin America news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the World Cup final?
Sunday, July 19, at MetLife near New York. Argentina meet Spain, with fan zones across Latin America.
What is on in Oaxaca?
The Feria del Mezcal opens July 17 and runs to July 28, alongside the Guelaguetza; the first Lunes del Cerro is July 20.
Any big concerts this week?
Harry Styles plays Mexico City’s GNP Seguros stadium on July 31, with tickets on sale.
Is sargassum still a problem?
Yes, parts of the Riviera Maya are affected, with only a few beaches fully clear. Sheltered bays and cenotes are reliable.
What follows the World Cup final?
The Guelaguetza’s second Lunes del Cerro on July 27, and Peru’s presidential inauguration on July 28.
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