What’s on in Oaxaca in May

May is 1 of Oaxaca’s hottest months, truthful it is simply a bully clip to research cooler areas, similar the forests of the Sierra Norte, a large spot to hike oregon upland bike. Some visitors whitethorn expect a large enactment connected May 5, a day which marks the Battle of Puebla, but this day isn’t particularly celebrated successful Oaxaca. However, determination are galore events and fiestas to bask specified arsenic Mothers Day connected May 10, and the Velas of Oaxaca’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec, taking spot passim May.  

Fiesta de la Santa Cruz and Day of the Construction Worker

(Twitter)

Día del Albañil, which takes spot connected May 3, honors the hard enactment of builders. Wooden crosses are erected astatine the apical of operation sites. Local contented is to decorate the transverse with flowers, making it colorful and eye-catching. After placing the cross, a supplication is made to bless some the tract and the workers, asking for their information and the occurrence of the project. 

The contented is believed to person started successful pre-Columbian communities, wherever ceremonies were held to inquire for a bully rainy season. In Teotitlán del Valle, astir 30 minutes from Oaxaca City, assemblage members inactive ascent to the highest of the adjacent Picacho upland to inquire for rain, bringing offerings to elephantine crosses that beryllium atop the mountain.

Where: Teotitlán del Valle
When: May 3 astatine 7 a.m.
Cost: Free

Learn Spanish and literate classics successful Oaxaca city

(El Burrito/Instagram)

El Burrito Librería, a charming vicinity bookstore founded successful 2018, invites Spanish learners to signifier the connection by speechmaking the champion poems and abbreviated stories of Latin American and satellite literature. A large mode to amended your Spanish and conscionable locals, expats and travellers successful this fun, colorful shop.

Where: El Burrito Librería, Aldama 315, Barrio de Jalatlaco, Oaxaca de Juárez
When: May 5 astatine 7 p.m.
Cost: 150 pesos

Marco Antonio Solís plays the Auditorio Guelaguetza

(Latin Grammy Awards/X)

Marco Antonio Solís’s philharmonic vocation began successful 1970 erstwhile the 11-year-old and his relative Joel formed Los Hermanitos Solís, which would aboriginal go El Dueto los Bukis and the hit-making radical Los Bukis. They produced large hits that person go portion of the fashionable songbook and the hearts of Mexican and Latin American audiences. 

After 2 decades with Los Bukis, Marco Antonio began a caller section successful his vocation and euphony successful 1996, releasing his archetypal solo album, “En pleno vuelo,” which earned some Gold and Platinum certifications. Solís participated successful the Spanish mentation of the Oscar-winning movie “Coco,” lending his dependable to the quality of Ernesto de la Cruz.

When: May 9 astatine 9 p.m.
Where: Auditorio Guelaguetza
Cost: Tickets start astatine 925 pesos

Paul van Dyk

(Sutori)

German DJ Paul van Dyk is coming to Oaxaca this May. Van Dyk is simply a Grammy-winning physics instrumentalist and shaper who started retired successful the Berlin nine country of the aboriginal 1990s. Hard-hitting, industrial-orientated Detroit techno euphony was the dependable of the epoch successful Berlin, and van Dyk was 1 of its pioneers.

When: May 15 astatine 8 p.m.
Where: Centro Cultural y de Convenciones de Oaxaca, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas 1001, Santa Lucía del Camino
Cost: Tickets commencement astatine 1000 pesos

Celebrate the saints of Oaxaca with the Velas Istmeñas

(Gorda en Tobogán)

Although velas tin instrumentality spot passim the year, May is the main period for these festivities, which travel from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec but are celebrated crossed Oaxaca. Velas are held successful grant of the patron saints of families, groups, trades and places. People stitchery for nationalist and taste events, with masses and processions showcasing accepted determination dress. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is location to the Zapotec, Chontal, Huave, Zoque, Mixe, Mixtec and Chinantec peoples. This blend of cultures gives emergence to the astir colorful dances that qualify the Velas. The Oaxacan metropolis of Juchitán is an astonishing spot to visit, successful peculiar during velas.

Where: Juchitan
When: May
Cost: Donation 

There volition besides beryllium velas successful Oaxaca city. 

When: May 17 astatine 9 p.m.
Where: Estadio Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Constitución, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: 200 pesos, disposable calling ‪951 308 8920 

Expat Q&A

(Oaxaca Lending Library/Facebook)

An hour-long question and reply league connected the upstairs terrace of the Oaxaca Lending Library is invaluable for tourists, integer nomads, agelong word visitors and those who are considering a determination to Oaxaca. No preservation necessary; Every Monday but erstwhile the Library is closed for a holiday.

Where: Oaxaca Lending Library
When: May 19 astatine 11am
Cost: Entry is free

Mexico Design Fair returns to the Oaxaca coast

 A forum for collectors, gallerists and plan professionals, Mexico Design just focuses connected modern furnishings pieces and plan objects. This year’s edition’s main accumulation is hosted astatine Casa Naila. Designed by Alfonso Quiñones, this ocean-facing spot merges modern Mexican plan and section quality surrounded by 20-thousand quadrate feet of backstage beach. 

When: May 23 to 2025
Where: Casa Naila, Puerto Escondido

Surfistas del Sistema astatine Bar Ilegal

Surfistas del Sistema is an Argentine popular and synthpop set formed successful 2013. It is made up of vocalist and guitarist Fran Frione, drummer Cisco Achaval and bassist Rama Vázquez. In 2014, the set was nominated for champion rock/alternative popular medium astatine the Gardel Awards, Argentina’s reply to the Grammys.

When: May 31 astatine 7 p.m.
Where:  Bar Ilegal, Murguía 215, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: Presale tickets start astatine 400 pesos

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based successful Oaxaca, Mexico. Just immoderate of the media outlets she has worked with see Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find retired much astir her work at her website or sojourn her connected societal media on Instagram or on Facebook.