10 Things to Do in Mexico City in November

All year round there are many things to see and do in Mexico City, but November is undoubtedly one of the most exciting months, with a wide variety of activities to enjoy during your stay: from the fascinating Day of the Dead celebrations to food, music and art festivals that combine tradition and modernity.

So, if you are looking to immerse yourself in Mexican culture, enjoy its delicious gastronomy, admire its art and historic architecture or simply have a good time, here are the 10 best things to do in Mexico City during the eleventh month of the year, with something for everyone.

The Day of the Dead is one of the country's most important traditions, celebrated every year on 1 and 2 November. But the celebrations start earlier, as from October in Mexico City, the ofrendas begin to be seen and important parades take place. The Day of the Dead is a holiday particularly rich in symbolism and rituals, and is a unique opportunity to honour the dead in a very special way.

That is why cemeteries become places full of life and colour, and graves are decorated with flowers, candles and other elements. Offerings are also built with marigold flowers, candles, incense and personal objects of the deceased, which are displayed in homes, businesses and streets. Likewise, museums and cultural spaces build their Megaofrendas, which can be seen at their venues and in public spaces throughout the city.

One of the most spectacular traditions of the Day of the Dead is the candlelight procession, which takes place on the night of 1 November, when thousands of people walk through the streets carrying lighted candles in homage to the deceased.

In addition, in some parts of the city, theatrical performances known as Las Calaveras take place, telling stories about death and life with a mixture of humour and satire. There are also costume and mask parades, which are a display of creativity and joy, and literary skull contests with live music. It is an ideal time to take a bike tour of the CDMX and appreciate all the colourfulness of this celebration.

The 20th November parade in Mexico City is a historic event that celebrates the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution with a display of Mexican culture, music and traditions in all their splendour.

It is an event where you will see traditional uniforms and costumes, military manoeuvres, amazing aerial acrobatics, and a variety of groups, from the armed forces to students, dancers and artists, each showing their passion for their country and their roots. The tour is throughout the historic centre, the best place to start a tour of Mexico City.

The 20 November parade in Mexico is a unique opportunity for you to experience Mexico's vibrant culture and passion for its history, being part of a celebration that means so much to Mexicans.

La Mexicana Park is one of the most outstanding green spaces in Mexico City, with extensive green areas, children's gardens, a canine garden, lakes and sports areas. Every year in November, a big celebration is held to commemorate the anniversary of its inauguration.

During the anniversary celebration of La Mexicana Park, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities and special events. From outdoor concerts, theatre and dance performances, to games and activities for children and adults.

In addition to the annual celebration, the park is open to the public every day. Visiting the park is one of the best things to do in Mexico City, as it offers many outdoor entertainment options for all ages and tastes. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic with friends and family, take a stroll or just relax in a natural environment, La Mexicana Park is a destination not to be missed.

If you're a lover of the Christmas season, Christmas in the Park at Six Flags is a unique experience to start celebrating the holidays. This annual event begins in November and transforms the entire park into a magical world of Christmas lights and decorations. It is one of the best things to do at Christmas time in Mexico City.

To enjoy Christmas in the Park, it is important that you buy your tickets in advance to avoid long lines. Also, be sure to dress warmly as it is winter in Mexico, and although it is not too cold, temperatures can be chilly.

The light show on the main street of the park is definitely a jaw-dropping experience. There you can meet Father Christmas and his elves, enjoy themed activities for the younger members of the family and thrilling rides such as the Holiday in the Park roller coaster.

Find out more

• Location: Picacho Ajusco road, kilometre 1.5, Jardines del Ajusco, Tlalpan, CDMX.
• Entry fee: approximately €47 per person.

If you're looking for an authentic and exciting experience in Mexico City, you can't miss the Feria del Pulque in Metro Tlatelololco. This annual celebration, usually held in late November or early December in CDMX, pays homage to one of Mexico' s oldest and most revered beverages: pulque.

When you arrive at the Feria del Pulque, you'll be immersed in a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, with live music, folkloric dances and many stalls offering a wide variety of pulque of different flavours and blends.

From the classic natural pulque to more innovative flavours such as tamarind, guava and pineapple, there is something for everyone. If you are not a fan of the strong taste of pulque, don't worry, you can also try a curado, a mixture of pulque with fresh fruit juices that softens the taste.

Not only the drink is the star of the fair, but also the food, as you can delight yourself with tacos de pastor, tamales, enchiladas and other traditional Mexican dishes, while enjoying live music and dance, or wrestling shows, among others.

In Mexico there is a very special weekend that everyone looks forward to: it is the Buen Fin, a commercial initiative that has been celebrated since 2011 during the long weekend that includes the Mexican Revolution Day, which is November 20th.

The Buen Fin is a unique opportunity to take advantage of incredible discounts and offers on a wide variety of products, services and shows. The ideal time to take advantage of a gastronomic tour of Mexico City. Both large shops and commercial chains as well as small local businesses offer special promotions and discounts for this date.

To make the most of the Buen Fin it is important that you find out about all the offers and discounts available before making your purchases. I recommend that you hire a bus tour of the city with free stops to move around more comfortably, as you will get to know the most emblematic places in the city.

If you are a lover of literature and adventure, you should know that the International Children's and Young People's Book Fair (FILIJ) is the literary event not to be missed. For more than 40 years, FILIJ has been the meeting point for readers, authors and creativity. In November, FILIJ opens its doors in different venues in Mexico City to offer you a unique experience full of storytelling, workshops, book presentations, shows and much more.

FILIJ is not just a book fair, it is a universe of discoveries where characters come to life and illustrations take you to magical worlds. The main venue for FILIJ is the Centro Nacional de las Artes (CENART), a cultural space that will surprise you with its modern architecture and gardens full of art and life. But FILIJ also extends to other venues, including some of the best museums in Mexico City.

FILIJ lasts about a week, so if you are in Mexico City for those 7 days and want to immerse yourself in the magic of books, it will be a great opportunity! Besides, all the events of the festival are free of charge.

If you are a nature lover or have a special interest in wildlife, you can't miss the monarch butterfly sanctuaries, which are located just 2 hours from Mexico City. The season to visit them is from November to March in Mexico City, which is when the monarch butterflies return to their home in the north of the continent.

When you visit these butterfly sanctuaries, you will be amazed by the millions of monarch butterflies that congregate in the oyamel trees, creating an impressive sight of vibrant and colourful wings. In addition, you will be able to admire the beautiful vegetation and feel the peace that emanates from this sanctuary.

To fully enjoy your visit, I recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for walking. It is important that you respect the rules of the sanctuaries, especially not to touch the butterflies, as they are delicate creatures that deserve to be treated with care and respect. Without a doubt, visiting these sanctuaries is one of the best excursions you can do from CDMX.

Would you like to immerse yourself in a unique and terrifying experience? Then Morbido Fest is the perfect place for you. This film and genre culture festival is held annually in Mexico City and is one of the most important in Latin America. If you are a lover of horror, science fiction and fantasy, you can't miss this opportunity.

Morbido Fest takes place in different venues in the city, where films, short films, documentaries and other audiovisual works are presented. In addition, there is a wide variety of parallel activities such as talks, round tables, workshops and exhibitions, so there will always be something interesting to do.

If you want to attend the festival, I recommend that you keep an eye on the dates, as it usually runs from the end of October in CDMX until the beginning of November. You can buy your ticket online or at the ticket offices of the venues. Remember that some performances have a limited capacity, so it is important that you plan your visit in advance.

More info

• Interesting fact: C-rated performances are only open to people over 18 years of age.
• Ticket prices: depending on the venue you wish to attend.

If you're looking for an experience that takes you to the edge of your senses, MUTEK MX is perfect for you. It's a festival that fuses electronic music and digital art to create a multi-sensory experience you'll love. It usually takes place in November or October.

The festival lasts several days and takes place in different venues in Mexico City, such as theatres, museums and cultural centres. It's one of the best things to do in Mexico City at night, so I recommend you check the festival's schedule so you can plan your visit and not miss out on your favourite artists.

Of course, at MUTEK MX you'll find much more than just music and digital art. The festival also offers interactive workshops, conferences and exhibitions, where you can learn more about the latest trends and technologies in electronic music and digital art. In addition, you can interact with industry experts and other music and art enthusiasts.

More information about the event

• Interesting fact: some of the experiences are for ages 10+, and some are for ages 18+.
• Price: MUTEK MX is a fee-based event, with prices ranging from approximately EUR 16 to EUR 150. Tickets can be purchased through the festival's website or other authorised outlets. It is always best to buy them in advance, as they can sell out quickly.