Cancún’s Guelaguetza: 25 Years of Oaxacan Culture & Pride

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Twenty-five years of perseverance, identity, and pride mark the legacy of the Asociación de Oaxaqueños Unidos Benito Juárez A.C., led by the tireless cultural promoter María Cruz Hernández Hernández. The group has been the heart behind keeping the flame of the Guelaguetza alive in the Mexican Caribbean.

For over two decades, this organization has brought Oaxacan culture to various corners of Cancún—and even Isla Mujeres—through admirable efforts, often without fixed resources but always with the support of their community and love for their roots.

A Journey of Resilience

In its early years, the Guelaguetza in Cancún was itinerant, taking place in public parks, event halls, and even other municipalities. However, the journey has not been easy. The celebration was suspended twice due to hurricanes and, more recently, for two consecutive years because of the pandemic. Despite these challenges, the Oaxacan community in Cancún persisted.

Today, their perseverance has borne fruit, with the event now recognized nationally as the second-largest Guelaguetza in Mexico.

Guelaguetza Cancún 2025: Culture, Tradition, and Commitment

With strong support from the Benito Juárez City Council, led by Mayor Ana Paty Peralta de la Peña, and the Instituto de la Cultura y las Artes de Cancún, directed by Carlos López Jiménez, the Guelaguetza Cancún will take place from August 1 to 3, 2025, at the city’s cultural heart: Parque de las Palapas.

This year’s event promises to exceed expectations, featuring performances from Oaxaca’s eight cultural regions, including dances, music, cuisine, and crafts. A delegation of over 80 Oaxacan artists will travel to Cancún to showcase their traditions.

Highlights include performances by the Banda Filarmónica Infantil y Juvenil de Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán and the acclaimed Compañía de Danza Folklórica de Tlaxiaco, under the direction of maestro Nicandro Hernández García. The program will feature the Jarabe Mixteco, Flor de Piña, the striking Danza de la Pluma, and dances from communities such as San Pedro Pochutla, Putla Villa de Guerrero, Santa Catarina Juquila, Tehuantepec, and Huautla de Jiménez.

A Feast for the Senses

The Guelaguetza would not be complete without its culinary offerings. Attendees can savor traditional dishes like tlayudas, memelas, tamales de mole and chepil, mole negro and amarillo, tasajo, tejate, Oaxacan-style ice creams, and chilacayota-flavored aguas frescas. Authentic crafts reflecting Oaxaca’s indigenous heritage will also be available.

Mazapán: Ambassador of Tradition and Tenderness

A new feature for 2025 is the campaign “Buscamos al Perro Mazapán en la Guelaguetza Cancún” (Searching for Mazapán the Dog at Guelaguetza Cancún), inspired by the beloved stray dog that has become a symbol of the Guelaguetza in Oaxaca due to his frequent appearances in parades.

The initiative promotes animal love, responsible adoption, and social empathy, inviting animal protection groups and citizens to register their mixed-breed, adopted, or street dogs for a special selection. The chosen “Mazapán cancunense” will parade wearing an artisanal collar and a commemorative plaque, symbolizing the union between culture and compassion.

“We want Cancún to have its own canine ambassador for the Guelaguetza, one that reminds us that culture and tenderness are also worth celebrating,” said Carlos López.

A Legacy of Cultural Resistance

Today, a quarter-century after its first iteration, the Guelaguetza in Cancún is more than a festival—it is a symbol of cultural resilience, integration among communities, migrant pride, and communal commitment. Thanks to the tireless work of women like María Cruz Hernández Hernández, the Guelaguetza is not just celebrated but embraced with soul in the Mexican Caribbean.