April Festivals and Events in Mexico

You can expect hot, dry weather through most of Mexico in the month of April, and that's perfect weather for the beach. Easter sometimes falls during this month, so check your calendar for the dates because the two weeks around Easter are very busy for travel in Mexico, so you'll want to make reservations well in advance if your trip falls during the holiday. Also, take note that Daylight Saving Time in Mexico begins the first Sunday of April (the dates are different from in the U.S. and Canada). Here's a glance at some of the most important cultural festivals and events held in Mexico in April:

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National Hot Air Balloon Festival

Hot air balloons over Teotihuacan — Rolando Estrada/EyeEm/Getty Images

Mexico's hot air balloon festival takes place in a different location each year and includes a variety of family-friendly activities such as adventure activities, concerts, food tastings, colors party, as well as the main show with balloons flying above from the morning and a spectacular "bright night" closing show in the evening with a concert by a big-name performer. Flights in the hot air balloons are dependent on weather and other circumstances.

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Feria Nacional de San Marcos

Feria Nacional San Marcos — Getty Images/Mark D Callanan

This international fair attracts folks of all ages to enjoy mechanical rides, concerts, rodeos, art displays, music, dance, and other cultural events; and to gamble at the fair's temporary casino. There are also bullfights and cockfights as part of the festivities, The dates of the fair vary somewhat but are centered around the feast day of San Marcos on April 25.

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Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race

Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race — Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race

This colorful race that starts in Newport Beach, California and ends in Ensenada, Mexico, has earned the title of the largest international yacht race in the United States. With more than 20 classes, the race includes a variety of sea-going boats ranging from top ultra-light and maxi-yachts to the non-spinnaker classes. Lexus, the title sponsor of the yacht race, will provide a two-year vehicle lease to the winner.

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Beyond Wonderland Monterrey

Beyond Wonderland electronic music festival in Monterrey, Mexico — Beyond Wonderland

An electronic music festival organized by Insomniac Events, Beyond Wonderland's Mexico edition is held yearly on one day in April in the modern northern Mexican city of Monterrey. The action takes place on four different stages in the city's Parque Fundidora with an impressive lineup of electronic dance music artists, and lots going on off the stage as well.

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Talent Land Guadalajara

This innovation and technology conference brings hundreds of thought leaders together to explore solutions to today's problems. Representatives from Google, Adobe, Cisco, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Uber and more, hold talks and workshops. Keynote speakers at past editions have included notable influencers such as Randi Zuckerburg, Garry Kasparov, and Paul Zaloom of Beakman's World. The event is held at Expo Guadalajara and lasts five days, with events happening all 24 hours a day within that time frame.

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Chinto Mendoza Jazz Festival

Chinto Mendoza Mexican jazz musician — Festival Chinto Mendoza

Taking place in Baja California state, with various concerts held in Ensenada, Mexicali, Tecate and Tijuana, this three-day jazz festival, organized by the Instituto de Cultura de Baja California, pays homage to Jacinto "Chinto" Mendoza, a prominent jazz musician who is often present at the concerts, along with a variety of other headliners, some local, others national, and a few from the southern United States. All the festival events are free admission.

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Festival of Flowers and Gardening

Flower and Gardening Festival in Chapultepec Park — Festival Flores y Jardines

Inspired by the Chelsea Flower show in London, England, the creators of this festival wish to inspire Mexicans to take care of their natural environment and the need to revive and preserve urban green spaces, as well as to encourage interest in landscaping, floral art, and gardening. This festival takes place in the botanical garden of Mexico City's Chapultepec Park.

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Festival Cultural Zacatecas

During two weeks over the Semana Santa holiday, Zacatecas has an incredible lineup of concerts and other cultural events. Admission to all events is free. Past years included performances by artists such as Air Supply, Lila Downs, Pablo Milanés, and Susana Harp.

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Colores del Mundo Folkloric Dance Festival

Mexican folk dancers in the festival Los Colores del Mundo — Los Colores del Mundo

An international folk dance festival in Jalisco state with representatives from all over Mexico as well as guest dance troops from other countries who perform in a variety of different locations. The main hub is the small town of El Arenal in Jalisco's tequila country.

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Día del Niño - Children's Day

Children playing in a sprinkler — Ariel Skelley/Getty Images

In Mexico, everyone has their day: moms are celebrated on May 10 and dads on the third Sunday of June. Children are celebrated every year on April 30th with fun and games, parties and events throughout the country. Besides the celebrations that take place, it's also an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights of children and to try to improve the quality of life of those who are less advantaged.

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Holy Week (Semana Santa)

Easter celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico — © Suzanne Barbezat

The dates of Easter vary from year to year, but it most often falls sometime in the month of April. Holy Week festivities take place during the week leading up to Easter, but many people have the following week off as well, stretching it out to a two-week holiday. Religious processions and passion plays re-enacting Jesus' crucifixion are commonly held, but for many Mexicans this is a favorite time to hit the beach.