Oaxaca's very own festival
¡ Guelaguetza !

The Guelaguetza is a commitment to sharing and the practice of contributing for the betterment of the community – though it is done between individuals. The mason may build a brick oven for the baker with the understanding that the baker will provide cakes for the weddings of the mason’s three daughters (though at the time of the building they may be ages 8, 10 and 14). The town upholsterer might re-do the undertaker's furniture, thereby guaranteeing that his funeral will be take care of. The community might also come together to see that people in unfortunate circumstances are looked after.

                            [The Story of the Guelaguetza]

Tickets for 2011's Guelaguetza will be available in May through TicketMaster.

Guelaguetza is still practiced in the villages around Oaxaca and is celebrated once a year, usually on the last two Mondays in July*. Locally it is sometimes referred to as Lunes de Cerro (Monday on the Hill). The fiesta is held at Cerro del Fortín, an amphitheater which offers magnificent views of the city. Oaxaca is always crowded at this time because of the popularity of this fiesta. Most visitors are from Mexico's larger cities and from Europe, though it is becoming more and more popular with North Americans.

*When Benito Juarez's death commemoration day (July 18th) falls on a Monday (as it is this year), the Guelaguetza takes place on the following two Mondays (7/25/11 and 8/1/11).

The fiesta is also in honor of Centeotl, the goddess of corn. Even missionaries incorporated it into the celebration of the Virgin of El Carmen in the middle of July. Since 1932 (Oaxaca’s 400th anniversary) groups from the seven regions of the valley of Oaxaca have presented carefully chosen dances with local characteristics and regional dress at this annual festival. During the dances, to symbolize the commitment to sharing, local gifts are tossed to the crowd.

Come celebrate with us!
• Day of the Dead Celebration • Christmas/New Year Holiday Season