Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged folkloric dance, Guelaguetza, Guelaguetza 2025 program, Mexico, music festival, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations on July 21, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Whether you are currently in Oaxaca or, like me, thousands of miles away, you can watch La Guelaguetza 2025. The 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM performances on July 21 and July 28, 2025 are being live streamed on the Guelaguetza Oficial Facebook page, CORTV, and Guelaguetza 2025 YouTube channel. (Note: Most of Mexico, including Oaxaca, does NOT observe daylight savings time.)
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged CORTV transmission, folkloric dance, Guelaguetza, List of delegations, Live streaming, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, Teotitlán del Valle on July 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »
July is “mes de la Guelaguetza” in Oaxaca. Alas, I am still in el norte and missing the festivities — though not the crowds! However, you can join me, from the comfort of your home, in viewing both last Saturday’s and today’s Desfile de Delegaciones (Parade of Delegations) and the July 22 and July 29 matutina (morning) and vespertina (evening) Lunes del Cerro dance performances on CORTV’s YouTube channel. I will be sure to be watching today’s desfile and the Monday (July 29) morning transmission live, as the Grupo Danza de la Pluma Promesa 2022-2024 from Teotitlán del Valle is one of the delegations.
As many of you know, blogger buddy Chris and I have helped sponsor dancers for nine years and it has been a great honor and privilege to get to know several of the dancers and their families in Teotitlán del Valle.
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged calendar of events, folkloric dance, Guelaguetza, List of delegations, Live streaming, Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations on July 16, 2023| 4 Comments »
It’s Guelaguetza time in Oaxaca. And, I know, I should have written this blog post several days ago, but I have the best of excuses for my tardiness — I’m in el norte for a family reunion, thus a little distracted! However, better late than never, Guelaguetza 2023!
See below for the list of delegations by date, time, and the dance they will be performing. Performances will be streamed on CORTV’s YouTube channel.
Activities are spread throughout the city with free transportation available between event sites.
For other daily activities and more information, check out the official Guelaguetza 2023 website and Facebook page. Enjoy!
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, calendar of events, folkloric dance, Guelaguetza, List of delegations, Live streaming, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations on July 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »
After a two-year hiatus, La Guelaguetza is back. Papel (actually, plastic) picado, in the colors of the rainbow, is draped over the streets, Tiliches (iconic participants at Carnaval in Putla de Guerrero and this year’s chosen image to represent Guelaguetza) are hanging around on sidewalks, walls, and rooftops, and the streets are filled with tourists, both foreign and domestic.
This morning, the dancing will begin at the Guelaguetza Auditorium on Cerro del Fortín. The list of delegations by date, time, and the dance they will be performing follows.
Please note, next Monday evening’s performance will include the previously mentioned Teotitlán del Valle, Danza de la Pluma Promesa 2022-2024. If you are not in Oaxaca or, like me, don’t have tickets, you can watch courtesy of CORTV via television, their website, and Facebook live.
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, dancers, Guelaguetza, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, street art, urban art, wall art on April 3, 2022| 4 Comments »
On the walls of Barrio de Jalatlaco, there is always dancing on the cobblestone streets.
And, it’s not just during La Guelaguetza that the sights and sounds of real life dancers can be heard and seen in the neighborhoods of Oaxaca, calendas (parades) celebrating festivals, weddings, graduations, and more are part of the life and soundtrack of Oaxaca.
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged calendar of events, Guelaguetza, Guelaguetza 2021, Guelaguetza 2021 delegations, List of delegations, Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, schedule of events, virtual Guelaguetza 2021 on July 18, 2021| 2 Comments »
Another year of Covid-19 means another year without an up close and personal Guelaguetza on the last two Mondays of July. Like last year performances and events are going virtual. However, unlike last year, when video of the dancing was taken from the years 2017 to 2019, this year the delegations will be performing live from their villages.
La Guelaguetza 2021 schedule of cultural events:
July 19, 2021 – Morning delegations and dances:
July 19, 2021 – – Evening delegations and dances:
July 26, 2021 – Morning delegations and dances:
July 26, 2021 – – Evening delegations and dances:
Transmissions can be viewed at CORTV– on local television, their YouTube channel, and on their Facebook page.
Posted in Beverages, Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged calendas, Carina Santiago, Desfile de Delegaciones, Feria del Tejate y el Tamal, Feria Regional de Hongos Silvestres, Festival de los Moles, Grupo de Promesa de la Danza de la Pluma 2019-2021, Guelaguetza, hongos, Mexico, mezcal, Oaxaca, parades, photos, popular travel destinations, tejate, Teotitlán del Valle on July 27, 2020| 9 Comments »
July 2020, living in the time of Covid-19, is almost in the rear view mirror. Oh, how I have been missing July 2019!
July 9, 2019 – Teotitlán de Valle, Patronal festival in honor of La Preciosa Sangre de Cristo.
July 10, 2019 – Teotitlán del Valle, Grupo de la Danza de la Pluma 2019-2021 dancing in honor of La Preciosa Sangre de Cristo.
July 12, 2019 – Teotitlán del Valle, Convite inviting everyone to the fiesta celebrating La Preciosa Sangre de Cristo.
July 13, 2019 – Teotitlán del Valle, Grupo de la Danza de la Pluma 2019-2021 dancing in honor of La Preciosa Sangre de Cristo.
July 14, 2019 – Tlacolula de Matamoros Sunday market, Kalisa Wells at the stall of doll maker, Armando Sosa.
July 16, 2019 – Santa Catarina Minas at the mezcal palenque of Félix Ángeles Arellanes, Mezcal El Minerito.
July 18, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, Carina Santiago at a cocinera tradicional (traditional cook) demonstration.
July 19, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, Mole Festival at the Jardín Etnobotánico (Ethnobotanic Garden).
July 20, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, Guelaguetza parade of delegations.
July 21, 2019 – San Antonio Cuajimoloyas, Feria Regional de Hongos Silvestres (Regional Wild Mushroom Fair).
July 22, 2019 – Las Peñitas Reyes Etla, Guelaguetza.
July 25, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, procession announcing the Guelaguetza Muy Especial by the Down’s Syndrome folkloric dance troupe.
July 26, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, procession by the Asoc. de Juchitecos radicados en Oaxaca.
July 27, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, young participants in the second Guelaguetza parade of delegations.
July 31, 2019 – Oaxaca de Juárez, making tejate at the Feria del Tejate y el Tamal in the Plaza de la Danza.
A reminder that we need to appreciate and be present to the present; it will never come this way again.
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged braids, calendar of events, Guelaguetza, Guelaguetza 2020, Guelaguetza 2020 delegations, Guelaguetza 2020 poster, List of delegations, Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, schedule of events, virtual Guelaguetza 2020 on July 18, 2020| 2 Comments »
The Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca (Secretariat of the Cultures and Arts of Oaxaca) and the Comité de Autenticidad (Authenticity Committee) have selected this year’s Guelaguetza delegations from video taken from the years 2017 to 2019. The performances will be broadcast by CORTV, both on television and on their Facebook page.
July 20, 2020 – Morning delegations and dances:
July 20, 2020 – Evening delegations and dances:
July 27, 2020 – Morning delegations and dances:
July 27, 2020 – Evening delegations and dances:
This year’s poster image is the work of Montserrat Alhelí Steck Ortiz and was chosen out of 67 entries. Titled, Trenzando Magía (Braiding Magic), according to this article the artist explained that she wanted to begin with the image of woman as symbol of mother earth and giver of all wealth — exemplified by the peasant working the land and tending Oaxaca’s iconic maguey. The image then illustrates the be-ribboned braids reaching out to capture the joy found in the colors, textures and dances of the eight regions of Oaxaca.
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Bani Stui Gulal, Donají la Leyenda, Guelaguetza, Guelaguetza 2020 schedule of events, Legend of Donají, Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, posters, Villa de Zaachila, virtual Guelaguetza 2020 on July 15, 2020| 4 Comments »
It’s July, corn planting time and “Mes de la Guelaguetza” (month of the Guelaguetza) — a time when Oaxaca recognizes and celebrates the sixteen indigenous groups whose languages, traditions, and maize cultures long predate the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and permeate the character of the state. However, all is quiet in the streets. Due to the dreaded virus, there will be no live and in-person Guelaguetza 2020.
All is not lost; the “máxima fiesta” and its ancillary activities have gone virtual — broadcasting on TV and online.
Click on each image to read the dates and details for the book presentations, art exhibitions, lectures, and music and dance performances — including how to watch.
Villa de Zaachila is even holding a virtual Guelaguetza 2020, accessed from the Facebook page, “Guelaguetza Virtual Zaachila 2020”
It may not be up close and personal, but if you are missing the sights and sounds of la Guelaguetza, it’s better than nothing! And, if the above isn’t enough, you might want to scroll through my Guelaguetza blog posts from previous years.
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged costumes, dancers, Desfile de Delegaciones, folklorico, Guelaguetza, Mexico, mezcal, Oaxaca, Parade of Delegations, photos, traje on July 30, 2019| 2 Comments »
With dancers and props arrived and prepped and streets blocked to traffic, this past Saturday’s second Guelaguetza Desfile de Delegaciones (Parade of Delegations) set off from Calzada Porfirio Díaz to again wind its way through the city’s streets.
San Carlos Yautepec, Sierra Sur
Santa Catarina Ticuá, Mixteca
San Francisco del Mar, Istmo
Danza de los Rubios – Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Mixteca
Huautla de Jiménez, Cañada
Danza de los Jardineros – San Andrés Zautla, Valles Centrales
Danza de los Diablos – Llano Grande, Mixteca
Loma Bonita, Papaloapan
H. Cd. de Huajuapan de León, Mixteca
Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Costa
Asunción Ixtaltepec, Istmo
Danza de la Pluma – Teotitlán del Valle, Valles Centrales
Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz, Sierra Sur
Mezcal, pride, and joy were all in abundance!
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged dancers, Desfile de Delegaciones, El Jolgorio mezcal, Flor de piña dancer, folkloric dancers, Guelaguetza, marmotas, Mexico, monos, Oaxaca, Parade of Delegations, photos, pineapple dancers, popular travel destinations on July 29, 2019| 2 Comments »
Saturday was a beautiful day for this year’s second Guelaguetza Desfile de Delegaciones. Nothing but sun and blue sky greeted the dancers as they arrived in buses, their large props arrived in trucks, and spectators arrived on foot — as Calzada Porfirio Díaz, north of Niños Heroes was blocked to traffic, except for the aforementioned mentioned official vehicles.
Did I mention, mezcal flowed freely, as dancers fortified themselves and the gathered onlookers? It’s all part of the prep and, by the time the parade began at 6:00 PM sharp, everyone was feeling good and more than ready!
Posted in Celebrations, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged costumes, dancers, Desfile de Delegaciones, folklorico, Guelaguetza, Mexico, Oaxaca, Parade of Delegations, photos, traje on July 27, 2019| 5 Comments »
There has been so much happening in Oaxaca, this week seems to have gone by in a colorful blur. It’s already Saturday and the city is gearing up for the second Guelaguetza desfile (parade) of delegations from the eight regions of Oaxaca. And, I realized that I never did cover the first parade last Saturday — other than a single photo in the Snapshots from Oaxaca post of the China Oaxaqueña delegation huddled in the rain. I am happy to report that the storm passed and it didn’t rain on the parade.
Chinas Oaxaqueñas Genova Medina, Valles Centrales
Chinas Oaxaquenas Doña Genova,
Valles Centrales
Ejutla de Crespo, Valles Centrales
San Sebastián Tecomaxtlahuaca, Mixteca
Santa María Tlahuitoltepec, Sierra Norte
San Blas Atempa, Istmo
Putla de Guerrero, Sierra Sur
Tiliches of Putla de Guerrero, Sierra Sur
Chalcatongo de Hidalgo, Mixteca
San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, Papaloapan
San Pedro Pochutla, Costa
Chinas Oaxaqueñas Casilda, Valles Centrales
San Francisco Sola, Sierra Sur
San Felipe Usila, Papaloapan
This wasn’t even all the delegations! Today, a few of the same, plus many more — including “our” Danza de la Pluma guys (and little gals) from Teotitlán del Valle. The sun is shining and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t rain on today’s parade. By the way, they changed the route this year, beginning in Colonia Reforma and ending at Mercado de La Merced — making it longer AND closing Calle Niños Heroes (Carretera Federal 190 — known in the USA as the Pan American Highway) for more than an hour. Glad I wasn’t stuck in that traffic jam!
Posted in Celebrations, Culture, Exhibitions, food festival, Music, Textiles, Travel & Tourism, tagged calendar of events, costumes, dance, Desfile de Delegaciones, folklorico, Guelaguetza, List of delegations, Live streaming, Mexico, Oaxaca, Parade of Delegations, photos, popular travel destinations, traje on July 8, 2019| 2 Comments »
Oaxaca is filling with tourists as “Julio, Mes de la Guelaguetza” (July, month of the Guelaguetza) is upon us — a time when Oaxaca recognizes and celebrates the sixteen indigenous groups whose languages, traditions, and rich cultures long predate the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors (both military and religious) and permeate the character of the state.
San Francisco Sola delegation – Guelaguetza July 28, 2018 desfile
Every year more parades, food and artisan fairs, concerts, and regional Guelaguetzas are added. Drawing both foreigners and nationals, it has become THE major tourist attraction for Oaxaca. [Click on images to enlarge]
While the streets are filled with a party atmosphere and those who can afford the high-priced tickets are treated to a true spectacle — fabulous views, colorful costumes, music and dance — people question how the indigenous communities (over 50% of the state’s population and some of its poorest) actually benefit.
San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec delegation – Guelaguetza July 21, 2018 desfile
The dancers are not professional dancers, are not paid to perform, and most must travel from villages hours and hours away.
July 22, 2018 morning
July 22, 2018 evening
They do it for the love of their villages, pride in their heritage, and to share a little of their traditions with the world outside their communities — and I can’t help but be swept along in the joy and moved by their dedication.
Chinas Oaxaqueñas Genoveva Medina delegation – Guelaguetza July 28, 2018 desfile
To support their communities, I strongly recommend you do your shopping at the craft fairs in the city and visit the indigenous villages — buy directly from the artisans or shops that can show provenance.
July 29, 2019 morning
July 29, 2019 evening
The above four Guelaguetza performances, along with Donají, La Leyenda (tragic legend of the love between a Zapotec princess and a Mixtec prince — it doesn’t end well, but her face graces the official shield of the city of Oaxaca de Juárez) are usually shown live on CORTV — both on their television station and their YouTube channel.
Putla Villa de Guerrero delegation – Guelaguetza July 28, 2018 desfile
Friends are arriving and my calendar is rapidly filling. Perhaps I’ll run into you at a regional Guelaguetza, at one of the desfiles in the city, the Festival de los Moles, the Feria de Hongos Silvestres in Cuajimoloyas, the Expo Feria Artesanal, the Feria del Tejate y Tamal, or at any one of the scores of other events happening here in July!
Posted in Celebrations, Culture, tagged competition, corn goddess, costumes, Diosa Centéotl, Guelaguetza, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, Plaza de la Danza, popular travel destinations, rehearsal on June 29, 2019| 4 Comments »
On my way to the supermarket this morning, look what I came upon in the Plaza de la Danza. The candidates vying to become Diosa Centéotl, the fertility goddess of corn who presides over July’s Guelaguetza festival, were rehearsing the blocking for this evening’s first stage of the competition.
Down the stairs of the Plaza de la Danza they processed to the solemn sound of the Himno a la Diosa Centéotl.
According to the Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca (Seculta), this year there are 43 women, all over 18 years old, hoping to be the one selected.
Onto the stage to their assigned seats, where, cued by the director, they each, in turn, practiced walking up to the microphone.
Representing the regions of the state, twelve are from the Central Valleys, eleven from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, six from the Sierra Sur, five from the Mixteca, four from the Papaloapan, four from the Coast, and one from the Cañada.
Accompanied by their shadows, they climbed the stairway to the stars to start all over again.
Tonight’s competition begins at 6:00 PM, when each participant will talk about the myths and legends, gastronomy, traditions, and tourist attractions in their village. The second stage of the competition begins tomorrow (June 30, 2019) at 11:00 AM.
(ps) This is not only a venue change, the date of the competition was moved up almost three weeks — perhaps to have Diosa Centéotl preside over more of the Guelaguetza’s ancillary events.
Posted in Animals, Celebrations, Culture, Holidays, Travel & Tourism, tagged El Día de Acción de Gracias, guajolote, Guelaguetza, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, San Antonino Castillo Velasco, Thanksgiving, turkey on November 22, 2018| 2 Comments »
Ya got your herbs, ya got your spices, ya got your smoker — smoked turkey, Oaxaca style!
San Antonino Castillo Velasco delegation, Guelaguetza desfile, July 21, 2018
In addition to my fabulous family, friends, blog readers, and indigenous peoples who survived genocide, colonization, and other inconvenient turkey day truths, I’m also feeling grateful for guajolotes. ¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias!
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
