Yucatán Food Festivals to Feature Ice Cream, Salbutes and Kibis

Mérida, Yucatán — Three food festivals will celebrate Yucatán’s culinary traditions this weekend, with ice cream, salbutes and tortas de kibi taking center stage in Mérida, Seyé and Progreso.

On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, the events will bring together local cooks, vendors and artisans for two days of food, music and crafts.

Heladiza Fest 2026 in Mérida

Ice cream lovers will gather at Gran Parque La Plancha for the fifth annual Heladiza Fest, which will feature more than 100 flavors of ice cream, popsicles, ice pops, frappés, doughnuts and cookies, along with cold drinks and a wide food court.

The dessert-heavy lineup will be accompanied by savory options such as:

• Birria and quesabirria
• Choripanes
• Argentine empanadas
• Kibis
• Stewed tacos
• Hamburgers
• Loaded fries
• Other snacks

Live music from rock, pop and DJ acts, along with Yucatecan jarana performances, is also planned. A separate area will showcase local artisans selling chocolate, honey, cookies, desserts, jewelry, perfume and other regional products. The venue will have a seating area.

The festival runs Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Gran Parque La Plancha esplanade.

Festival del Salbut de Seyé 2026

The third annual Festival del Salbut will take place Saturday in Seyé, bringing cooks from the region to serve different varieties of salbutes, a traditional Yucatecan fried tortilla topped with meat and vegetables.

The event will also include an artisan market featuring:

• Traditional textiles
• Natural cosmetics
• Filigree jewelry
• Handmade hammocks
• Honey-based products
• Habanero pepper foods
• Henequen crafts
• Traditional toys

The festival aims to combine gastronomy with support for small producers and local entrepreneurs in Seyé and its surrounding communities.

Festival de la Torta de Kibi 2026 in Progreso

On Sunday, the action moves to Progreso, where the Festival de la Torta de Kibi will take over the traditional Malecón promenade.

Vendors will offer tortas de kibi — sandwiches filled with a fried bulgur-and-meat kibi patty — with prices ranging from 20 to 50 pesos depending on the filling. Announced varieties include:

• Kibi with cochinita
• Kibi with queso de bola
• Kibi with castacán
• Other combinations

The event will be held on Calle 19 between 66 and 68, next to the Meteorite Museum, starting at 9 a.m. Organizers said the festival offers a chance to support local merchants while enjoying a stroll along Progreso’s seaside boardwalk.