The Feast of San Sebastián, held on January 20, is one of Ajijic’s most traditional celebrations and takes place in one of its oldest neighborhoods. Days before, residents decorate streets, doorways, and altars, and bake the beloved pan Tachihual in wood-fired ovens. This sweet bread is offered to visitors and worshippers and is considered a […]
Ajijic’s Carnival is an explosion of color and energy, led by the famous Sayacos who take over the streets with papier-mâché masks, wild wigs, mismatched clothes, and lots of flour. For several Sundays, especially Carnival Sunday, the neighborhoods and town center turn into a giant open-air stage: parades, bands, dance groups, and community contingents fill […]
The Capirotada Festival, held on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, is a delicious way to discover one of Mexico’s classic Lenten desserts. In Ajijic’s main plaza, local cooks set up beautifully decorated booths to showcase their versions of capirotada—a bread pudding soaked in piloncillo syrup and topped with nuts, dried fruit, cheese, spices, and sometimes […]
On Palm Sunday, the Verbena Jamaica del Pasado transforms downtown Ajijic into a charming scene from old Mexico. The main plaza fills with food stands decorated with palm leaves, clay pots, colorful paper cutouts, and traditional utensils, where cooks serve pozole, tamales, crispy tacos, enchiladas, capirotada, tepache, atole, and more, following decades-old family recipes. Modern […]
Every Good Friday, Ajijic becomes the stage for a deeply moving Live Stations of the Cross, organized completely by the local community. Residents act out the Passion of Christ, starting from the Church of San Andrés and walking through the streets up into the surrounding hills. Fourteen stations are reenacted with simple but meaningful costumes, […]
On May 3, Ajijic fills with beautifully decorated crosses made from flowers, fruit, colorful paper, ribbons, pan Tachihual, and even bottles of tequila. Holy Cross Day honors construction workers but has become a celebration embraced by the entire community. Crosses are placed on the roofs of new buildings, on home altars, on façades, and in […]
The Balloon Regatta, held the Saturday before September 15, is one of Ajijic’s most spectacular events. Neighborhood teams build giant hot-air balloons from delicate tissue paper—fully handmade and assembled with impressive skill. Some designs are modest and small, while others reach over ten meters high, featuring geometric patterns, characters, flowers, or patriotic symbols. At the […]
Uses and Traditions of the Rebozo is a celebration of Ajijic’s cultural identity, where the traditional shawl is presented alongside many of the town’s most beloved customs. The main plaza becomes a living runway where women of all ages parade with both new and heirloom rebozos, children wear traditional outfits, and folkloric dances, mariachis, charros, […]
On September 14, Ajijic honors the charro—an iconic figure of Mexican culture—with a parade full of elegance and tradition. Early in the day, charros and escaramuzas prepare with embroidered suits, wide-brimmed hats, bows, rebozos, and beautifully saddled horses. The parade moves along the cobblestone streets as families and visitors applaud, take photos, and enjoy the […]
Independence Day turns Ajijic into a vibrant scene of music, food, and national pride. On the night of September 15, the main plaza becomes a festive fair with food stalls, games, folk dancing, live mariachi, and families dressed in traditional colors waiting for the historic “Grito de Independencia” and the fireworks show. The atmosphere is […]
October 31 in Ajijic is dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary, one of the town’s most spiritual and heartfelt celebrations. After several days of prayer in homes and chapels, the main event is a nighttime procession where the image of the Virgin—decorated with white flowers and fine fabrics—is carried through the streets. Worshippers follow […]
On November 2, Ajijic honors its departed loved ones in a celebration full of color, fragrance, and emotion. From early morning, families visit the cemetery to clean and decorate graves with marigolds, candles, photos, favorite foods, drinks, and meaningful objects. The atmosphere is peaceful yet lively, with prayers, quiet conversations, and shared memories. In the […]