The Jalisco May Cultural Festival, which promotes cultural activities across Guadalajara’s metropolitan zone, is back for its 28th year, boasting 400 events.
Featuring Canada as its guest of honor, the festival will feature everything from classical music to mariachi concerts to art exhibits and installations to contemporary dance shows and more. And with such a packed cultural program, it’ll be hard to choose what to see, so here’s our list of the 10 standout cultural events to experience at this year’s festival.
1. Contemporary dance: ‘Reckless Underdog’
To kick-start the festival, Guadalajara will host the Latin American premiere of “Reckless Underdog” by renowned choreographer Victor Quijada. The event promises an electrifying combination of urban dance and contemporary movement performed by the acclaimed Rubberband Company.
Date: May 8 and 9
Location: Degollado Theater, Centro Histórico, Guadalajara.
Admission: 150 to 300 pesos
Take a behind-the-scenes look at how the “Echoes” installation was put up outside the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art in 2022, with an explanation of the artwork by its creator, artist Mathias Gmachl.
2. ‘Echoes: Song of the Unknown’
Austrian artist Mathias Gmachl will explore the connection between nature and technology through an immersive experience running at the festival. The large-format art installation will boast the life-size incarnation of a one-year-old blue whale, at the age when it leaves its mother to begin exploring the ocean. The installation invites spectators to meditate about our relationship with nature and the changing global climate.
Date: May 8–June 8
Location: Plaza de la Liberación, Centro Histórico, Guadalajara.
Admission: Free
3. Marine immersive experience
Through the installation of interactive geodesic domes, festival attendees will be able to reflect on marine biodiversity and ocean pollution.
Date: May 8–June 8, 2025
Location: Liberation Square
Admission: Free
4. Exhibition: ‘Inhabiting the North’
The “Inhabiting the North” exhibition brings together 10 Canadian artists, providing multidisciplinary experiences of humanity and living matter specific to life in Canada, featuring painting, photography, video and installations. This exhibit explores the north’s strengths, climate and history, as well as its social, political and cultural conditions.
Date: Tuesday –Sundays in May
Location: Museo Cabañas, Centro Histórico, Guadalajara.
Admission: 80 pesos (includes ticket to the museum); free entry on Tuesdays
5. The Brooks in concert
Canadian groovy music band The Brooks makes a stop at the festival as part of its tour for their new album, “Soon as I Can.” The band is known for its soulful melodies and deep funk rhythms.
Date: 11 May
Location: Degollado Theater
Admission: 200 pesos
6. Nawales Ballet Folklórico
Expect color, music and Mexican traditional dance at this performance by the Nawales Folkloric Ballet. The ensemble was born with the aim of professionalizing Mexican folkloric performance and creating an innovative group to promote Mexican culture and traditions through dance.
Date: May 11
Location: Plaza de la Liberación
Admission: Free
7. Immersive Hudu Theatre
One of the most anticipated kid-friendly events at this year’s festival is the Immersive Hudu Show. Featuring an immersive theater experience with live music, the show is also suited for neurodivergent people.
Date: May 11–14
Location: Several locations. Check here.
Admission: Free
8. Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán in concert
Mariachi, Mexico’s most quintessential music, will also be present at the festival with a special gala featuring mariachi guests, including the ensembles Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitlán, Los Peques NT and Ballet Folklórico Nuevo Jalisco.
Date: May 24
Location: Degollado Theater
Admission: 150–300 pesos
9. Louis Lortie piano recital
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of French composer, pianist and conductor Maurice Ravel, the renowned Canadian pianist Louis Lortie will perform live. Lortie has performed with more than 70 orchestras in 25 countries.
Date: May 28
Location: Degollado Theater
Admission: 200 pesos
10. Ravel tribute by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra
To wrap up the festival, the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra will also give a concert celebrating the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth. Spanish artistic director José Luis Castillo will conduct, with Louis Lortie as a guest pianist.
Date: May 30
Location: Degollado Theater
Admission: 150 to 350 pesos
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
