How You Can Celebrate Pride and Mexican Culture in Guadalajara Right Now!
Guadalajara is buzzing with an array of cultural happenings that shine a spotlight on the city’s traditional and contemporary offerings including fashion, modern art, music, and rich Mexican traditions. From its May Cultural Festival to Guadalajara Pride, here’s what you need to know to join in the city’s upcoming fab festivities.
May Cultural Festival Runs Now Through June 4
One of Guadalajara’s best celebrations of the arts, the May Cultural Festival returns to the city now through June 4. The internationally acclaimed cultural event features art, music, gastronomy, performing arts, cinema, and from over 400 artists and artisans from Germany, Canada, Spain, the United States, and Mexico. A celebration of Jalisco’s bicentennial, the Cultural Festival of May allows guests to explore Jalisco’s capital city through the arts, with exhibits like the Sculpture Route going through Guadalajara’s most iconic corners. Tickets can be purchased here.
Guadalajara Pride Kicks Off on June 3
One of Latin America’s largest pride parades returns on Saturday, June 3 as part of Guadalajara Pride, a weekend of events celebrating and raising awareness of the human rights, history, and visibility of LGBTQ+ people. Kicking off at 1 p.m. with the theme “Todos los colores, todas las identidades” (All colors, all identities), the parade starts at the La Minerva roundabout with festivities continuing to Liberation Square where the official after party takes place, with live shows, drag performances and DJs. A second parade, The Marcha del Orgullo GDL, takes place the following weekend on Saturday, June 10 at 2 p.m. along the same route.
Another popular event coinciding with Pride is Prohibo, an LGBTQ+ cultural festival celebrating sexual diversity. Taking place June 2-10, the festival, a favorite for its welcoming come-as-you-are vibe, will feature live music performances, talks on polyamory and non-binary culture, art installations, and more.
Guadalajara International Film Festival Highlights Local Productions
The Guadalajara International Film Festival is on June 3-9, 2023, showcasing Mexican and Ibero-American cinema. It is a forum for learning and creative exchange among film professionals, international cinema critics, and students from across Latin America. The festival even has a special category showcasing films made in the state of Jalisco. For more information, visit www.ficg.mx.
Fashion Designer Pays Homage to the Mexican Rodeo
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of his eponymous label, Guadalajara native Benito Santos recently unveiled his 2023 Fall Collection drawing inspiration from the Alteñitas Escaramuzas of Guadalajara, the all-female equestrian team known for riding side-saddle in elaborate dresses performing beautifully-choreographed moves set to music. The renowned fashion designer’s show was held at Lienzo Zermeño, one of the best-known stadiums to watch the national sport of charrería in Guadalajara. Accompanied by tequila and mariachi, the show featured designs that gave a nod to traditional Mexican outfits, with rose-embellished suits representing the “City of Roses” and accessories inspired by charro buckles. More information about Charrería in Guadalajara can be found here.
About Guadalajara
The birthplace of iconic Mexican heritage including tequila and mariachi, Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and is considered the country’s cultural center. Each year, tourists travel to this cosmopolitan destination to experience a plethora of attractions including nearby magical towns such as Tequila, where the popular spirit is produced; explore colonial architecture; and visit museums and small towns with exquisite crafts and artwork. Celebrating its bicentennial in 2023, Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco, which is located in the center of Mexico, 350 miles west of Mexico City, and 200 miles east of Puerto Vallarta along the Pacific Ocean. The metropolitan area of Guadalajara consists of four urban districts – Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, Tonala, and Zapopan – and three suburban districts, Tlajomulco, El Salto, and Tequila.
Visit https://visitguadalajara.com for more travel inspiration and information to plan your trip to Guadalajara!
