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What’s on in the Riviera Maya in January

By
Bel Woodhouse
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0
Ring in 2026 in true Yucatán style, with parties, retreats and everything you've come to expect from life in the Caribbean. (Digital Nomad Couple)

The Riviera Maya is starting 2026 one of two ways: With healing, vitality, and wellness rituals like free Tai Chi in the park or with partying and celebrating another trip around the sun. There’s a nice musical selection of smooth blues, jazz, and candlelight string quartets for a mellower experience, or grab your bathers and get on the party boat with champagne showers and tequila water guns. 

Merida Fest 2026

(Merida Fest)

Merida Fest is huge, celebrating the founding of Merida! Two weeks of fun activities for the whole family. It takes place throughout Merida city. In parks, along the street like Paseo Montejo, in the Cultural Center, and the Municipal Palace, so be sure to check the program. There’s musical groups, folkloric groups, International artists, concerts spread out in 39 venues, with more than 165 shows and 600 artists of dance, literature, visual arts, theater, and music.

Date: January 5-18

Location: Merida

Cost: Free, though some events may charge. See the full program here.

Tai Chi in the park

(Parque La Ceiba)

I’m tempted to catch the ferry across to Playa del Carmen for this. Tai Chi is a wonderful way to relax, move your body, and revitalize your mind. Healthful for every age, body type, and fitness level, enjoy the almost meditation experience, breathing, and gentle movement for your body in a natural setting. 

Date: 7 January, 9 a.m.

Location: Parque La Ceiba, Playa del Carmen

Cost: Free

Out of the Blue Music Festival

Kahancun - Out of the Blue Festival 2024

Out of the Blue attracts hundreds of music lovers who come back year after year. So much so, they offer discounts for returning visitors. More than just music, this festival is full of amazing food, pool parties, fun in the sun, water activities. There’s even a cooking class! Friendships are formed and great music serenades you al day and night.  

Date: 8-11 January

Location: Riviera Cancun, Cancun

Cost: Depending on package

Fire – K’AAK Vitality Ritual

(K’aak)

Whether you choose the singles massage using traditional Mexican wellness practices. Or the couples massage experience with a reconnecting love ceremony, I love that they are using traditional methods handed down from generation to generation. With herbs to help heal your body in an oceanside treatment deck, so you can relax to the sound of the waves. Choose your 90-minute or 120-minute option when booking. 

Date: 8 January

Location: AZULIK Tulum

Cost: 333 pesos for singles, 889 pesos for couples

Clay Rebirth Ritual

(Eventbrite)

If you’re like me and would prefer smaller, private healing ceremonies (up to 6 people), then this one is for you. Start your new year with a healing ritual of clay, sound and dance. Inspired by the turtle, guardian of the Maya, it helps shed what no longer serves, cleanse both body and spirit, reconnect with the earth and be reborn. 

Date: 10 January

Location: Tulum 

Cost: 5,000 pesos

Annual shoe giveaway

(Isla Mujuers Shoe Giveaway/Facebook)

Here’s something different, and a fun event to volunteer at. Isla Mujeres has an annual shoe giveaway, supplying shoes to over 600 children. If you’d like to join in and feel your heart swell surrounded by little smiling faces, then head to Isla Mujeres for a day trip or stay a night or two and enjoy the island. 

Date: 10 January, 12 p.m.

Location: Isla Mujeres

Cost: Free

Movies in the park

(El Cine Club/Facebook)

Is there anything better than free movies in the park? I love to pack a picnic and sit under the stars watching movies. Especially in the Riviera Maya with their mild nights and clear skies. So come join us, relax and don’t forget your blanket and picnic basket! 

Date: 14 January

Location: Parque La Ceiba, Playa del Carmen

Cost: Free

Candlelight tribute to José José

(Eventbrite)

If I weren’t traveling, I’d have front row seats to this one. Imagine the magic of musicians surrounded by a sea of candles. Add in the romance of the violin and cellos, and I’m in music lovers’ heaven. Just give me a glass of wine (or two), and this is my perfect night. Be sure to get there early to get the best seats, as it’s first come, first served. 

Wheelchair access is only available to the ground floor. The venue has its own parking lot for an additional fee.

Date: 16 January, 9 p.m.

Location: Stoa Auditorium, Cancun

Cost: From 350 pesos

Quebecean Blues and Rock

(Eventbrite)

Calling all Canadians and blues lovers. Quebec is coming to Playa del Carmen for a night of chill blues under the Caribbean stars. Join Hugo Lapointe, Carl Tremblay, and Ritchy Lemay for an authentic, vibrant show under the stars which boasts 100% Quebec vibes. 

Date: 20 January, 8 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Location: Hotel Boutique Caché Rooftop – Playa del Carmen

Cost: 500 pesos

Hip Hop boat party

(Hip Hop MX)

For an epic Cancun memory, join Rock Star Crawls for their party boat, voted #1 for eight years running. A day of top DJs, sweet Hip Hop and R&B beats, dancing, swimming, snorkelling, water activities, an open bar, and snacks, all while cruising through the Mexican Caribbean. There’s even a champagne shower!  You’ll receive fun photos of the day too. 

Date: 27 January, 12-3 p.m.

Location: Caribbean Carnival, Cancun.

Cost: US $102

Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now, she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.

Tariffs of up to 50% go into effect, hitting imports from China, other non-FTA countries

By
MND Staff
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6
A closeup of the front of a BYD dolphin electric car.
Cars from China and other Asian countries will now face 50% tariffs. The companies affected include popular electric carmaker BYD, which is based in China. (Michael Fortsch / Unsplash)

Sweeping tariff increases on imports from China and other countries without free trade agreements (FTAs) with Mexico officially took effect Jan. 1, marking a significant shift in the country’s trade policy aimed at protecting domestic industries and jobs.

The tariff modifications, published in Mexico’s Official Gazette on Dec. 30, affect 1,463 product categories across more than a dozen sectors including automotive, textiles, clothing, steel, plastics, footwear, furniture, toys, aluminum and glass. The new duties range from 5% to 50%, with the highest rates applied to vehicles from China and certain other Asian nations.

Casa china store
The tariffs will affect imports of cars, clothing, plastics, furniture, toys and more from China and other non-free trade agreement countries. Pictured: A Chinese import store in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. (Eduardo Esparza)

According to Mexico’s Economy Ministry, the measure is designed to safeguard approximately 350,000 jobs in sensitive sectors and advance what the government calls “sovereign, sustainable and inclusive reindustrialization.”

The tariffs are also linked to Plan México, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s economic development strategy that aims to increase domestic content in production chains by 15% and generate 1.5 million new jobs.

“This tariff modification constitutes a commercial and economic measure that seeks to benefit the people of Mexico, and is not directed at any particular country,” the Economy Ministry stated in its announcement. The changes impact imports from countries including China, India, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

The measure follows Congressional approval of the tariff reform in December, when the Chamber of Deputies voted 281-24 in favor of the bill. The legislation was significantly softened from Sheinbaum’s original September proposal before passage, though the 50% maximum tariff on imported vehicles remained intact.

Chinese cars, including electric vehicles from manufacturers like BYD, have surged in popularity in Mexico in recent years and faced a 20% import duty in 2025. The new 50% tariff represents a substantial increase that Mexican auto industry leaders have welcomed as protection for domestic manufacturers.

The government estimates the tariffs will generate an additional 70 billion pesos ($3.8 billion) in annual revenue.

Critics have warned the tariffs could increase consumer prices and hurt small businesses that rely on imported inputs. The measure also comes as Mexico seeks to strengthen its position ahead of the 2026 review of the USMCA free trade agreement with the United States and Canada, both of which have questioned Mexico’s growing economic ties with China.

Mexico News Daily

This story was written by a Mexico News Daily staff editor with the assistance of Claude, then revised and fact-checked before publication.

These are all the upgrades coming to Mexico City ahead of the World Cup

By
MND Staff
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An aerial view of Banorte Stadium in Mexico City, formerly known as Estadio Azteca
Estadio Banorte, a remodeled version of the Mexico CIty stadium long known as Estadio Azteca, will host the opening match and ceremonies of World Cup 2026. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

Less than six months before the first ball starts rolling at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, World Cup preparations continue apace across the country.

With nearly 6 million additional visitors expected in June-July 2026, the pressure on air connectivity, hotel inventory and ground services will be immense.

Government officials stand on a stage next to colorful World Cup posters
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus, Nuevo León Governor Samuel García and Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada unveiled the official posters of Mexico’s three World Cup host cities: Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. (Presidencia)

Eager to capitalize on the long-term exposure that comes with hosting one of the world’s largest global spectacles, the federal government and officials from the three Mexican host cities insist all will be in order when the World Cup kicks off in the nation’s capital on June 11.

President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke confidently about Mexico’s readiness after meeting with representatives of soccer’s world governing body, FIFA, on Nov. 10.

“Mexico will once again show the world who we are: a country of immense cultural richness, proud of its roots, its present and its future,” Sheinbaum said.

The government, in coordination with state authorities and the private sector, is organizing “Mexico 2026 Celebrations,” featuring public match screenings and free cultural and sports activities with the goal of “making this World Cup truly the people’s event.”

Sheinbaum presents FIFA World Cup
Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez (center), Director General of FIFA Mexico Jurgen Maika (left) and Gabriela Cuevas Barron (back right) joined the president for the FIFA-focused mañanera on Nov. 10. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

FIFA officials shared Sheinbaum’s optimism.

“This … will be the most ambitious event in the history of humankind,” said Jurgen Maika, Director General of FIFA Mexico. “In the three Mexican stadiums, we will welcome more than 800,000 fans, and … [visitors] will enjoy a free experience that will include the best of our culture, art, music and gastronomy.”

Playing host to the world

As co-host alongside the U.S. and Canada, Mexico will become the first nation to host three World Cups. 

Sheinbaum called the quadrennial soccer extravaganza a great opportunity “to demonstrate to the world that we are experiencing a historic transformation.”

“Mexico welcomes everyone with open arms,” she said, acknowledging the responsibility that comes with hosting millions of fans, world leaders and global celebrities.

In addition to the inaugural match in the nation’s capital, 12 additional games will be played in Mexico, with Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca (5 games), Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA Bancomer (4) and Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron (4) rolling out the proverbial red carpet.

The host cities and states are racing to complete infrastructure projects designed to improve connectivity, security and long-term urban development strategies.

To ensure a safe and unforgettable experience, the Sheinbaum administration and the Mexico City government are spending more than US $1 billion on infrastructure improvements, cultural exhibits and tourist amenities.

The overarching goal is to ensure that upgrades to public transport systems, airports and urban services not only make for a memorable experience for visitors, but also provide lasting benefits for residents.

Construction in the Mexico City airport (AICM)
Construction is currently underway in Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ahead of the World Cup. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

Sprucing up the capital

Naturally, as the Mexican hub of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico City is getting the lion’s share of attention.

Projects funded by the federal government include the US $26.4 million renovation of the two terminals at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and construction of a train line connecting the center city with Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), about 30 miles north of the capital.

Renovations at the AICM focus on structural rehabilitation, including runway enhancements, expanded parking and drainage upgrades to improve efficiency and reliability. Construction is expected to be 80% completed by the time the tournament starts on June 11, 2026.

The Mexico City government is also digging deep into its own pockets to modernize its infrastructure and services.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada created the Mexico City FIFA Committee, intending to leverage the World Cup to upgrade logistics and security, with a focus on enhancing urban spaces around Estadio Azteca.

With significant investments in mobility, public spaces and urban development, Mexico City aims to celebrate diversity, promote equality and reaffirm its status as a global cultural hub.

City Hall has set aside 2.6 billion pesos (US $142 million) to modernize the capital’s main avenues and rehabilitate 250 kilometers of primary roads, equivalent to more than 3.5 million square meters of new pavement. 

A second phase of road rehabilitation will begin after the World Cup such that half of all the main avenues will be repaved by May 2027.

Brugada insists this is not just about filling potholes, but about completely reconstructing the pavement, guaranteeing durable and safe streets for all capital residents.

As part of the city’s policy to promote cycling as a means of transportation, 500 million pesos will be invested in various cycling infrastructure projects totaling 300 kilometers. Eighty kilometers of new bike lanes will be ready by next June, increasing Mexico City’s total cycling routes to 613 km.

Foremost among the new projects is the controversial Gran Tenochtitlán bike path, a 34-km route running along Tlalpan Avenue, one of the city’s principal north-south causeways. The project also includes the restoration of green areas along the avenue, and street lights lining the road are being upgraded.

Mexico City will also rehabilitate 34 pedestrian underpasses along Tlalpan Avenue with the goal of improving mobility and safety. Twelve crossings located in the 2 km between Plaza Tlaxcoaque (just south of the Zócalo) and the Chabacano Metro station were being refurbished in November.

Although the World Cup matches in Mexico City don’t coincide with the peak of the rainy season (the capital experienced record-setting floods this past August), efforts to improve the city’s hydraulic infrastructure are in the works.

Brugada has touted a “Water Acupuncture” strategy that will enable 100 infiltration points (mostly wells), instead of building new pipelines that would cost billions of pesos.

The city government is also rehabilitating its light rail service and is building a new trolleybus line in the capital’s southern boroughs 

The rail line connects the Taxqueña multi-modal hub to the southern borough of Xochimilco and the trolleybus will link the National Autonomous University of Mexico campus with the Santa Úrsula neighborhood, which is adjacent to Estadio Azteca.

Related schemes offer improved access between Estadio Azteca and key transportation nodes, including AICM and AIFA.

The area around the iconic stadium is also getting a makeover, with 67 infrastructure projects to improve water systems, drainage and mobility, as well as the addition of shopping and leisure centers on the stadium’s grounds.

Estadio Azteca — poised to become the first soccer ground to stage three inaugural World Cup matches — is also getting a multibillion-peso facelift, but not at public expense. A private company is financing the renovations there.

Mexico’s cultural legacy will also be front and center. 

The Mexico City government will create 1,000 World Cup-themed murals at strategic locations throughout the capital, while the federal government’s “Social World Cup” program promises educational, tourism and gastronomic activities, including a tournament-long culinary event featuring the best regional cuisine from across the country.

With reports from Milenio, ESPN, Proceso, Mexico Business News, Infobae and Reforma

Behind the Scenes Preparing for the 2026 SMA Writers Conference and Literary Festival

By
Anne Richards
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0
Hotel Real de Minas, San Miguel de Allende
The 2026 San Miguel Writers' Conference is an undertaking that's been a year in the planning. (Hotel Real de Minas)

The 21st annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival will take place from Wednesday, February 11, to Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Hotel Real de Minas. This year’s conference theme is “Our Stories, Doors to the World,” according to Executive Director Jodi Pincus,

“I’m so excited about what’s unfolding for 2026 — it’s shaping up to be our most dynamic year yet!” Pincus says. “We’re expanding opportunities for Mexican writers with a new Emerging Writers Program, along with university and teen programs, and for the first time ever, a kids’ program. We’ll offer nearly 100 workshops in both Spanish and English.”

The conference was founded in 2006 by critically acclaimed writer, Susan Page, seen here celebrating with conference attendees. (San Miguel Writers’ Conference)

2026 marks the 21st anniversary of the conference

The conference was founded in 2006 by critically acclaimed writer Susan Page. It started with a few dozen participants and has now grown to over three thousand visitors from around the globe. 

Page moved to San Miguel in 2002. “The town captivated us,” she says. “I was surprised that there were no author readings and no place for local authors to sell our books. So, I just called a gathering of writers. Twenty-eight people showed up, and we all got excited about what we could do. We started a program of monthly author readings, partnered with a local bookstore and started several other programs. A year into it, we decided to do the Writers’ Conference. It started small but grew fast!”

Globally acclaimed author Abraham Vergheese is a 2026 keynote speaker

This year’s festival promises to be the biggest yet, with a lineup of keynote speakers including award-winning authors Abraham Verghese, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Rebecca F. Kuang, Emily St. John Mandel, Maira Kalman, Andrés Neuman, and Yásnaya Elena Aguilar Gil.

“Beyond that,” says Pincus, “we will have dozens of free offerings, from open mics and discussion circles to two Big Reads (one in Spanish and one in English), plus wellness activities like morning yoga and walk-and-write sessions. And of course, there’s that feeling you get here in San Miguel — surrounded by creativity, visceral beauty, and community. I can’t wait to feel that spark again.”

Molly Ringwald
Previous guests have included internationally recognized celebrities such as Molly Ringwald. (Alistair Palmer)

Preparation for the 2026 festival began the day after the 2025 festival ended

The conference lasts only a week, but the preparation is a year-long job. “The hardest part is keeping all the moving pieces aligned while still holding onto the magic that makes the festival so special,” says Pincus. “There are hundreds of details — speakers, workshops, volunteers, partners, and most importantly, attendees — and it can feel like assembling a giant puzzle. But beneath all the logistics is a deep sense of purpose: creating a space where writers and readers from around the world truly connect, grow, and feel inspired. Balancing the practical and the soulful is always the biggest challenge — and the most rewarding.”

This balance requires an organizational team of professionals, such as Pincus, Page and Mexico News Daily’s own Karla Parra, the Director of Partnerships and Education.

“We’ve been preparing for the 2026 Conference since the last one ended, but the final stretch is always the most demanding. There are so many small, meaningful details that shape the attendee experience, and my biggest challenge is making sure each one that I’m overseeing gets the proper attention it deserves!” says Parra.

“I am most excited about all the people I get to meet each year at the conference – fellow writers and our incredible faculty and keynotes. There’s a really special energy that’s created throughout our week together and I always leave feeling more connected than ever to the literary community and to my home city of San Miguel,” says Parra.

The festival offers writers and book lovers ample opportunities for networking. Attendees can connect with fellow writers, agents, publishers, and other industry professionals.

A yoga session in a park
The conference offers wellness activities, like morning yoga and art walks in town, plus affinity luncheons where conference attendees can meet people with similar interests. (Annie Richards)

For the original founder Page, the evolution of the conference has been both astonishing and rewarding. “What surprises me most?” Page asks. “I would say it is what we have accomplished with a limited budget. We have never had an endowment from a wealthy donor. We raise all our funds from enthusiastic Patrons and sponsors. We are truly a grass roots organization, supported by both local and international individuals, who recognize the value of our event. We are distinctive from any other such events. We are genuinely tri cultural, with a rich, highly intentional mix of the literary communities of Canada, the U. S., and Mexico.”

San Miguel de Allende provides a beautiful setting for writers and readers to meet

Of course, the magic of San Miguel de Allende is a draw in and of itself, having earned the title of “best city in the world” by Travel + Leisure magazine again in 2025.

“San Miguel has such a beautiful rhythm,” says Pincus. “Life here feels grounded, inspired, and connected. People come to San Miguel to be in community and to truly live. For our bi-cultural family, my husband, who was born and raised in Guanajuato, and me, originally from South Africa and raised in the U.S. from age eleven, San Miguel is the perfect place. It’s a fusion of all our identities. My family loves the sense of community, the mix of cultures, and the art everywhere you turn. There’s a feeling that people are genuinely present here, whether at a local café, in a parade, or watching the sunset from a rooftop. San Miguel invites you to slow down, connect, and create. Anything is possible in San Miguel, and we feel so grateful to call it home.” 

For the most up-to-date program information, check the official San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival website. “Make sure to read our weekly newsletter and in January, the periodic e-mails our team will be sending. In those communications, we’re providing important preparation details and invitations to opportunities that will make your conference experience even richer, such as how to join our Affinity Groups!” says Parra.

Anne Richards is a San Miguel de Allende-based author.

What’s on in Mexico City in January 2026

By
Andrea Fischer
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0
Mexico City
It’s 2026, and Mexico City is ready to rumble! Here’s the guide to the main activities to enjoy the New Year in the Mexican capital. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro)

Happy New Year, MND readers! It’s already January and we’re ready to enjoy our beloved Mexico City — and more importantly, she’s ready for us! This year, as our country will be one of the World Cup host countries, Mexico aims to break several Guinness World Records, given our nation-wide passion for soccer — and we surely will, with your help! However, for those of us who are not exactly panboleros, the capital has a lot to offer in art, photography and theater. Continue reading and find out all about it.

Electro MegaRAVE 2026

Electronic music concert CDMX
What better way to welcome the year than an electronic music megaconcert, near Ángel de la Independencia? (Gobierno de la CDMX/Cuartoscuro)

The Mexico City government revealed that the Ángel de la Independencia will be transformed into a giant dance floor to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada recently confirmed that 2026 will start with a massive electronic music party. The rave is expected to begin on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, and end in the early hours of Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. A monumental dance floor will be set up at the foot of the Angel of Independence and along Paseo de la Reforma, with lights, dancers, lasers and one of the best sound systems in the country.

Dates: From Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026

Location: Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, centered at the Ángel de la Independencia monument

Cost: Free admittance

Light Cycles 2026

Light Cycles
Light Cycles brings five outdoor installations that showcase the park from a unique perspective. (Fever/LightCycles/Moment Factory)

Light Cycles arrives in Mexico City with a wonderful tour through Chapultepec Forest. This January 2026 will be your last chance to experience this immersive adventure, which begins in Rosario Castellanos Park and extends to the capital’s largest park. Featuring five light and sound installations, this nighttime tour unveils “a sanctuary that celebrates the beauty of nature through cutting-edge technology,” as described by event organizers. Sounds like the perfect winter plan, especially with the cold weather, right?

Dates: All January long!

Location: Parque Rosario Castellanos, Chapultepec Forest, 2nd Section; entry through the Calzada Flotante accessible via the Jardín Escénico Chapultepec

Cost: Tickets starting at 295 pesos for adults. Get yours here!

Stranger Things: The Experience

Stranger Things at Expo Reforma
After watching Season 5, everyone wants to destroy Demogorgons, honestly. Now you can, at Expo Reforma in Mexico City! (Fever/Netflix)

Netflix and Blast Entertainment teamed up to create this immersive experience, where visitors become scientists at Hawkins Lab, the terrifying setting for the most macabre events of Stranger Things. With the fifth season just released, the hype is at its peak. Visitors can unleash their psychic powers, like Eleven and Kali, in immersive rooms themed around the 1980s. There will also be exclusive merchandise, as well as photo opportunities with Demogorgons and other characters from the series.

Dates: All January long!

Location: Expo. Reforma, Avenida Morelos 67, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc

Cost: Tickets starting at 616 pesos. Get yours here!

Rosca de Reyes Fest 2026

Rosca de Reyes
Matcha-stuffed Rosca de Reyes and café de olla? Yes, please!  (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)

It’s Rosca de Reyes season, just in time for Día de Reyes festivities in Mexico City. Finally! And the Rosca de Reyes Fest organizers know it. This gastronomic has everything that we, pan de muerto lovers, need, from chocolate-stuffed rosca to vegan and keto options. All ingredients are produced locally, as tradition dictates for these bread-themed culinary festivals. No Rosca de Reyes experience is complete without café de olla and hot Mexican cocoa, which will be available on site, of course.

Dates: Jan. 3-4, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Huerto Roma Verde, Jalapa 234, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc

Cost: Free of charge

‘Soft Math’ (Cloud in The Eyes) exhibit at Lago Algo

Jonah Freeman art exhibit
Jonah Freeman’s pieces transform the very architecture of Lago Algo “into a kind of flawed infographic,” said gallery authorities. (Grupo Habita/Lago Algo/Jonah Freeman)

New York-based artist Jonah Freeman arrives in Mexico City with his first solo exhibition in Latin America, Soft Math (Cloud in the Eyes). Organized by Lago Algo gallery, it showcases his “experimental narrative, material abstraction and cinematic logic to explore the hidden infrastructures of contemporary life,” as described by the curatorial team. Several drone-captured, abstract images flood the gallery, as a way to portray how “human-made machines that observe equally human-made environments.”

Dates: Running until Jan. 4

Location: Lago Algo, Bosque de Chapultepec, Pista El Sope S/N, Miguel Hidalgo

Cost: Free of charge

Watch Mr. Gwyn at Teatro Helénico

At the height of his career, fictional author Jasper Gwyn decides to disappear from the literary world. In the midst of a terrible midlife crisis, he decides to invent a new profession for himself: portraying people with words, capturing their soul rather than their appearances. Each session becomes an act of emotional revelation. As described by the Teatro Helénico team: “A profound gaze that transforms both the model and Gwyn himself.” Adapted by Mexican playwright Juan Cabello, this is a story about art, identity and intimacy directed by renowned Alonso Iñiguez.

Dates: Running from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.

Location: Av. Revolución 1500, Guadalupe Inn, Álvaro Obregón

Cost: Tickets starting at 410 pesos

Indie Fest 2026

 

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A post shared by ORALIA BAND (@oralia.band)

Remember the cool, alternative guy you dated last year? He probably already has tickets for the Indie Fest 2026. Highlighting Mexican independent music with emerging and established artists, the festival is expected to grow as a platform for the local scene, with calls for Mexican rock, pop and electro local bands. If you’re really into delving into the newest and quirkiest music, this is your plan to kickstart the year, as underground artists like Oralia will be performing.

Dates: Jan. 18 and 25.

Location: Donceles 12, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc

Cost: Tickets starting at 100 pesos. Buy yours here!

Bazar Resiliente

Bazar Resiliente
It’s tiiiiime! Iconic Bazar Resiliente is back in Mexico City in January 2026 with the best of ceramics, fashion, incense and tarot this year. (Bazar Resiliente via Facebook)

Independent Mexican creators make a line to be a part of Bazar Resiliente, one of the most iconic creative gatherings of the year. The best of local ceramists, fashion designers, eco-friendly makeup brands and graphic talent in Mexico City get to showcase their latest production. No CDMX It Girl should miss it, honestly! Moreover, on Jan. 24, Colonia Roma’s Centro Gallego will host Workshop Resiliente, a series of entrepreneurship talks in which eight speakers will share their experiences as independent creators.

Dates: Jan. 24-25.

Location: Centro Gallego, Colima 194, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc

Cost: Free of charge. Workshop entry fee starts at 850 pesos.

Visit ‘Fijar el Tiempo,’ the latest Graciela Iturbide exhibition

Graciela Iturbide
“Graciela Iturbide’s work is a game of appearances where nothing is what it seems,” exhibition organizers say. (Banco Nacional de México/Patrimonio y Fomento Cultural Banamex/Graciela Iturbide)

Last year, after decades of photographic production, Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide was awarded the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts. Honoring this major achievement in her career (and her 83rd birthday!), Fomento Cultural Bamanex curated a fantastic selection of self-portraits by the artist. The exhibition starts with endearing pictures of her wedding (the only piece in color, as the others were taken in black and white), and recreates her photographic work throughout her career. Everything from her earliest works for the National Indigenous Institute to her emblematic series in Juchitán, Oaxaca. This is a January must in Mexico City.

Dates: From Nov. 28, 2025, to Feb. 8, 2026

Location: Fomento Cultural Banamex, Francisco I. Madero 17, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc  

Cost: Free of charge

Velasco’s Garden

Velasco's Garden
The visual legacy showcased at Velasco’s Garden (2025) allows visitors to approach the naturalist Mexican painter. (Museo Kaluz)

Featuring 2,500 previously unseen pieces from the José María Velasco Collection, the Kaluz Museum presents a journey through the artist’s paintings, notebooks, sketches, letters, manuscripts, books and personal belongings. The exhibition is both intimate and scholarly, encompassing pieces that reflect “his naturalist, scientific and artistic side, as well as his private life,” said curators in a statement. As an avid observer of the Valley of Mexico in the 19th century, the painter found in nature a space for study and contemplation that “contributed to shaping a mineral, zoological, botanical and archaeological vision” of the country at that time.

Dates: From Oct. 26, 2025, to May 25, 2026

Location: Fomento Cultural Banamex, Francisco I. Madero 17, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc

Cost: Free of charge

Andrea Fischer is an editor for Mexico News Daily. She has edited and written for National Geographic en Español and Muy Interesante México, and continues to advocate for anything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.

Cold front brings freezing temperatures to Mexico City, rain across multiple states

By
MND Staff
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a vendor serving punch in the cold
Several boroughs are expected to freeze, particularly Tlalpan in southern Mexico City, which was issued an orange alert by the Secretariat of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection (SGRIPC) due to the potential for frost. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

The Mexico City government issued a triple cold alert with temperatures expected to drop to as low as 0 degrees Celsius on New Year’s Eve.  

Several boroughs are expected to freeze, particularly Tlalpan in southern Mexico City, which was issued an orange alert by the Secretariat of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection (SGRIPC) due to the potential for frost. 

SGRIPC issued yellow alerts for the Álvaro Obregón, Cuajimalpa, Gustavo A. Madero, Magdalena Contreras, Milpa Alta and Xochimilco boroughs, with temperatures expected to fall to between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The SGRIPC forecasts that the temperature in the capital’s remaining boroughs will drop to 8 degrees Celsius.

The warnings are in place from midnight until 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, with light showers possible in the outskirts of Mexico City.

A countrywide weather warning

It is not only Mexico City that will experience extreme cold this New Year’s Eve. The movement of cold front No. 25 from the Gulf of Mexico and a combination of other atmospheric events are expected to cause heavy rain across areas of northeast, east and southeast. 

The front will also cause temperatures to fall in the northern, northeastern, eastern and central regions of Mexico.

Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) has forecast isolated intense rainfall in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco. Very heavy rainfall is expected in Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo and Querétaro, while heavy rain is forecast for Nuevo León, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. 

The SMN warned of potential landslides, flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas of certain states due to the heavy rainfall.  

Wind could bring three to five-meter-high waves to the coasts of Tamaulipas and Veracruz and strong gusts of 50 to 70 km/h to the states of Baja California, Coahuila, Nuevo León and San Luis Potosí.

High-voltage tower collapses in Veracruz due to wind

The gale-force winds in Veracruz have already led to the collapse of a high-voltage tower belonging to Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), which fell on a car and a passenger bus on the Coatzacoalcos I bridge. Meanwhile, in Boca del Río City, next to the port of Veracruz, strong winds toppled a construction crane. 

Heavy rain in the region also caused a landslide that blocked the Benigno Mendoza-Venustiano Carranza highway, cutting off 20 towns for several hours.  

Power was suspended in parts of Veracruz due to the cold front, CFE reported on Wednesday. The agency is currently working to fully restore power to the state. 

With reports from El Financiero and La Jornada

New details emerge as investigation of deadly train accident inches forward

By
MND Staff
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4
funeral
In the Oaxaca town of Matías Romero, family members mourn victims of the tragic derailment of the Tren Interoceánico. (Carolina Jiménez Mariscal/Cuartoscuro)

Investigators continue to examine the scene of the tragic Interoceanic Train crash that killed 13 people on Sunday, while Mexico’s government announced it will seek international certification to improve safety on the railway line.

Several questions remain unanswered, even though the authorities are in possession of the train’s black box, which holds the key to understanding the incident. The accident occurred nearly 90 minutes after the six-car Z-line train departed from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, en route to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz.

Sheinbaum
President Sheinbaum stands before a projected photo of a special committee set up by Oaxaca Gov. Salomón Jara to oversee government support for the families of the dead and injured in the train accident. The president said she will seek certification from a qualified and recognized body of experts to ensure that the rail line is up to safety standards. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

In a statement, the government said 13 experts are on site, working to determine the cause of the accident, which took place on the edge of a ravine on a curved section of track. 

The train’s two locomotives managed to avoid falling down the embankment, but the first passenger car became detached and slid approximately 6.5 meters (21 feet) down the slope. The second car was left partially suspended in mid-air, while the third and fourth cars came to rest crosswise over the tracks but were undamaged.

The government is said to be considering asking external experts to assist in the investigation. The Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) will ultimately make that decision. 

The Naval Ministry — which operates the railway — and the FGR are looking for specialists who can make the necessary recommendations to improve the safety of the megaproject inaugurated just two years ago.

“We’re going to look for the best certification body so that, if they make recommendations on what needs to be done about these curves or … to make the route safer, we can take them into account,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

“In other words, once the report is submitted, a certifying body should come to guarantee that the track and locomotives are in good working order and that the train can operate again,” she said.

Sunday’s accident has increased pressure on Sheinbaum over the safety of recent government megaprojects, as this is the third train accident in Mexico this year.

The new Maya Train in the Yucatán Peninsula has experienced two derailments, though nobody was seriously hurt in either.

According to investigative journalist Alejandra Crail, Mexico’s federal auditing agency (ASF) cited “deficient planning” in its inspection of the Interoceanic Train project during construction.

Crail cited a 2019 ASF document detailing technical omissions by the contractors and concerns about their technical capacity to deal with the geography of the area.

Crail told Aristegui Noticias that among the issues mentioned in the ASF report are “steep slopes and curves in the predominantly mountainous areas” through which the train travels, as well as “undulations in the terrain and natural obstacles that affect the alignment of the track.”

The ASF reportedly recommended sanctions for the public officials who allowed the works to continue despite the detected deficiencies. Crail said it is unclear whether these irregularities were corrected in subsequent contracts.

The newspaper Reforma also mentioned the train’s deficiencies, reporting that “the project was plagued by flaws and carelessness” during the construction and track rehabilitation phases, adding that it operates with old and recycled trains, some of which are 50 years old.

Reuters news agency said the project “faced multiple allegations of corruption, weak oversight and potential conflicts of interest.”

With reports from Reuters, Los Angeles Times, El País, Milenio and Aristegui Noticias

The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2025: Crying contests, crash-landings and UFO tourism

By
MND Staff
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2
Professional mourners
In the town of San Juan del Río, Querétaro, aspiring mourners take turns competing for a cash prize. (Maribelandia)

In 2025, Mexico News Daily once again covered plenty of “hard news” and “bad news” stories.

As we have done since MND was founded more than 11 years ago, we also reported numerous stories that made us laugh, brought a smile to our faces, warmed our hearts and even left us scratching our heads in bewilderment.

Alien costume
The state of Tamaulipas already attracts thousands of UFO buffs for conferences, alien-themed festivals and sales of green alien hats, plush toys and T-shirts. Now, a themed museum is in the works. (@PachitaRex/X)

Now, as we approach the end of the year, it’s time to look back at the amusing, uplifting, inspirational, heartening, gratifying, strange, surreal and “only in Mexico” stories MND published this year.

We continue today with a compilation of articles we published between October and December.

Read our compilations for the first three quarters of the year at the following links:

The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2025: Part 1

The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2025: Part 2

The top ‘México Mágico’ moments of 2025: Part 3

México Mágico: A look back at MND’s weird and wonderful stories in the fourth quarter of 2025

The MND team covered a diverse selection of out-of-the-ordinary stories in the final quarter of the year. To start, there is this story by Gabriela Solís about the National Mourners Contest, where participants compete to deliver the most authentic display of grief.

In yet another surreal story, we reported on a suspicious bulge in a man’s pants, and, no, the protrusion wasn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon. It turned out that a U.S. citizen was attempting to smuggle two parakeets from Mexico into the U.S., but was caught in the act by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.

US man caught smuggling Mexican parakeets in his pants faces 20 years in prison

Meanwhile, scientists revealed that they had documented killer whales in northern Mexican waters attacking young great white sharks and devouring their energy-rich livers. The phenomenon was previously thought to be limited to South Africa.

In another enlightening development in the natural world, it was revealed that a new species of firefly had been discovered in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Forest. A public vote to decide the insect’s scientific name was held and it was consequently settled that the newly-discovered firefly would be called Photinus mariasabinae, after legendary Indigenous healer María Sabina.

While the kind of mushrooms Sabina knew so much about (the magic ones) might lead some people to believe they have a better understanding of the universe, a massive platform hidden in a jungle in Tabasco was determined to be a giant map that actually does depict “the order of the universe,” at least as the ancient Maya saw it.

Among the other unusual, quirky and offbeat stories we covered in the final quarter of the year were those about the possible establishment of a UFO museum in Tampico; an American skydiver who made an awkward landing in downtown Mexico City; and Dua Lipa’s CDMX taquería.

American skydiver unhurt after awkward landing in downtown Mexico City 

We also wrote about a shipment of meth-laden lettuce, Fodor’s inclusion of Mexico City on its 2026 “No List,” a selection of international award-winning Mexican cheeses and former-street sweeper Macario Martínez’s Tiny Desk concert.

We hope you enjoyed reading our quirkier stories this year, and perhaps found a few here that you missed. We’re already looking forward to another year of weird, wonderful and distinctively Mexican stories in 2026!

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

5 Mexico news stories to watch in 2026

By
MND Staff
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6
barbed wire in front of shipping containers
According to J.P. Morgan and other financial professionals, U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing tariff threat could turn next year's review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) into a drawn-out struggle, blocking Mexico's path to renewed growth. (Shutterstock)

In recent articles, I looked back at Mexico’s “10 biggest news and politics stories of 2025” and “10 biggest business and economics stories of 2025.”

With the new year fast approaching, in this article, I shift my focus to “five things to look out for in 2026.”

This coming year will be a pivotal one for Mexico, its authorities and its people for a range of reasons, some of which I consider below.

I’ve also included questions pertinent to the “five things to look out for” that I mention.

I look forward to reading your views — and respectful debate — in the comments section.

The FIFA World Cup 

Billions of eyeballs will be trained on Mexico, the United States and Canada next June and July as the world’s most-watched sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, will be played at stadiums in 16 cities, including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

President Sheinbaum on stage next to Trump and Carney, holding a paper reading Mexico
Mexico will kick off the 2026 World Cup with a match against South Africa, set for June 11 in Mexico City. (Presidencia)

For Mexico, co-hosting the World Cup gives it an enviable opportunity to show itself off to a huge audience of television viewers in countries all over the planet.

Let’s hope that things run smoothly, that there are no security concerns and that Mexico is seen around the world as the incredible country and hospitable host it is.

The influx of football tourists should give a much-needed boost to the Mexican economy, particularly the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Mexican fans will no doubt spur on Mexico’s national team, El Tri, which will face South Africa in the World Cup opener in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.

The team’s subsequent group matches will be played against South Korea and an as-yet undetermined European opponent.

Buckle up, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an exhilarating ride!

Now, over to you:

Will Mexico be a successful World Cup host?
How far will El Tri get in the tournament?

The USMCA review 

Another big event in 2026 will be the formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, variously known as the USMCA, T-MEC (in Mexico) and CUSMA (in Canada).

Preparations for the review have already begun, but the main event won’t commence until the second half of next year, with the first formal trilateral review meeting to take place on July 1.

There is a lot at stake.

The Mexican government will be seeking to lock in more certainty (and advantageous conditions) in its trade relationships in North America, especially that with the United States, after a year in which the Trump administration significantly undermined the USMCA by imposing tariffs on a range of Mexican and Canadian goods.

Claudia Sheinbaum is confident that Mexico will achieve a good outcome from the review, which will consider things such as the USMCA’s rules of origin and enforcement mechanisms.

But with a U.S. president like Donald Trump in the White House, anything is possible.

President Sheinbaum gestures from behind the podium of her morning press conference
President Sheinbaum recently suggested expanding the USMCA free trade bloc south after U.S. President Trump mused about letting the pact dissolve. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

According to the Center for Strategic & International Studies, “what was once expected to be a routine assessment aimed at improving implementation is now likely to become a high-stakes negotiation.”

“The Trump administration is poised to seek additional concessions from Mexico and Canada on long-standing trade disputes, while also leveraging the review to address non-trade issues such as migration, drug trafficking, and continental defense. Both neighbors, already in talks with Washington over tariff relief, are approaching the process with caution,” wrote the Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

Will Mexico get a favorable outcome from the USMCA review? 
Even with the review of the USMCA, can trade certainty really be achieved while Trump remains in office?

The rulings of Mexico’s top courts and the functioning of the FGR  

Mexico’s judiciary underwent a major transformation in 2025 with the staging of the country’s first-ever judicial elections and the subsequent swearing-in of new judges, magistrates and Supreme Court justices.

Mexico’s new Supreme Court takes the bench

Later in the year, the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) underwent a significant change as well. Alejandro Gertz Manero resigned as attorney general after almost seven years in the job, and the position was filled by Ernestina Godoy, a former Mexico City attorney general who is close to President Sheinbaum and served as her top legal adviser until her move to the FGR.

The popular election of judges and the appointment of Godoy as attorney general have raised concerns that Mexico’s judiciary and Attorney General’s Office will be unduly influenced by the federal executive and thus lose their independence.

Opposition politicians and other government critics will seize on any evidence or indication that courts such as the Supreme Court and the Federal Electoral Tribunal are improperly favoring the Sheinbaum administration and/or the Morena party in their rulings. Likewise, they will pounce on any suggestion that the FGR under Godoy is using its investigative powers for political purposes.

In that context, the conduct of the nation’s courts and the FGR will certainly be put under the microscope in 2026.

Does the popular election of judges pose a risk to Mexico’s democracy, in particular to the separation of powers?
Will the FGR maintain its independence under Godoy’s leadership?

The policies — and popularity— of the president 

Another thing to look out for next year is the impact of President Sheinbaum’s policies, many of which were approved by Congress in recent months.

Will the new and higher tariffs on goods from China and various other countries affect inflation more than anticipated? Will they crimp some industrial sectors while helping others?

Will the new anti-extortion law lead to a significant reduction in that crime?

Will the Amparo Law reform do more harm than good?

Will having a biometric CURP become essential to complete bureaucratic procedures in Mexico?

Yes, a lot of questions, as a lot of uncertainty remains. The answers to these questions and other policy-related ones should become clearer in 2026.

President Sheinbaum takes a phone selfie with a supporter
Will Sheinbaum maintain a high approval rating in 2026? (Presidencia)

The impact of government policies on people’s lives — for good and for bad — will to a significant extent determine whether Sheinbaum remains a highly popular leader in 2026.

To date, the president has maintained a very high approval rating, although recent polls found that her popularity waned slightly after a difficult November.

Are you concerned about any of the federal government’s policies?
Will Sheinbaum maintain a high approval rating in 2026?

The evolution of the security situation

Homicides declined in 2025 — a welcome development — but insecurity remains a major problem in various parts of Mexico, and a major concern of many Mexicans.

Everyone will be hoping to see a continued improvement in 2026 — to see the federal government’s security strategy succeed.

Any deterioration in Mexico’s security situation would likely lead to the staging of more large protests, such as those that took place in cities across the country in November.

It would also likely lead to increased calls for Mexico to accept on-the-ground assistance from the United States in the fight against crime and violence — something that Donald Trump has offered, and which a significant number of Mexicans (albeit not a majority) are in favor of, according to polls.

‘Last time the US came to Mexico, they took half the territory,’ Sheinbaum warns: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

Still, no matter how loud and insistent calls to accept U.S. help might become, President Sheinbaum will not heed them. She has made it clear that security in Mexico is a matter for her government and that while it is willing to collaborate with the Trump administration, it doesn’t want U.S. boots on the ground south of the 3,145-kilometer-long Mexico-U.S. border.

Among the specific security-related things to monitor in 2026 are:

Will homicides continue to decline in Mexico in 2026?
Is it wise for Sheinbaum to refuse Trump’s offer to send the U.S. military to Mexico to combat cartels? 

Of course, there are many other “things to look out for” in Mexico in 2026. Let us know which ones you’ll be watching closely!

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

What’s inside Popocatépetl? Mexican scientists finally have a detailed answer

By
MND Staff
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2
Researchers say repeating the study in the coming years could show how the magma system evolves — crucial information for refining volcano alerts. (Sectur)

Mexican scientists have produced the first full three-dimensional map of Popocatépetl, one of the world’s most closely watched volcanoes because of the millions of people living nearby in central Mexico.

Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) spent five years hauling instruments up the 5,426-meter (17,802-foot) volcano, deploying 22 seismographs around its flanks to capture and catalog the different kinds of seismic signals.

“I taught the machine about the different types of tremors there are in ‘El Popo,’” said Karina Bernal, a researcher on the project.

The sensors log ground vibrations 100 times per second, feeding artificial-intelligence tools that sort signals and reveal what lies miles beneath the crater.

​The resulting tomographic map, extending roughly 11 miles below the summit, replaces the textbook image of a single magma chamber with a far more intricate system.

Scientists report multiple magma pockets at different depths, separated by solid rock, and a mushroom-shaped magmatic structure linked by a narrow conduit that concentrates material beneath the volcano’s southeastern side.

Scientists obtain first 3D images of inside Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano

​Popocatépetl, often called “Don Goyo” or “El Popo,” has been in an almost continuous phase of activity since 1994, emitting ash, gas and incandescent fragments that can disrupt aviation and dust communities in the country’s most populous corridor.

Some 25 million people live within about 100 kilometers of the crater, including residents near five major airports, underscoring why even modest eruptions draw intense scrutiny from authorities and scientists.

Straddling the borders of the states of Puebla, México and Morelos, Popocatépetl is about 70 kilometers southeast of Mexico City.

​Though it’s one of Earth’s most active volcanoes, experts say its greenhouse-gas emissions are still modest compared with human output from Mexico City.

The new 3D imagery joins similar interior maps already made for other high-risk volcanoes in places such as Italy, Japan and the United States.

Researchers say repeating the study in the coming years could show how the magma system evolves — crucial information for refining volcano alerts.

With reports from Associated Press, El Sol de México and Detona

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