Mexico · month by month
Oaxaca food calendar
What is in season in Oaxaca, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Oaxaca
Peak seasonThe best of January: Rosca de Reyes and Mezcal season.
In season
- Rosca de Reyes
- Mezcal season
Harvested agave is roasted in the dry months; visit palenques in Santiago Matatlán.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Oaxaca
Peak seasonThe best of February: Mezcal season.
In season
- Mezcal season
Harvested agave is roasted in the dry months; visit palenques in Santiago Matatlán.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Oaxaca
Peak seasonThe best of March: Jumiles, Chiles de agua and Feria del Tejate.
In season
- Jumiles (edible insects)
- Chiles de aguaMar–Jun
- Mango Manila and AtaulfoMar–Jun
On the calendar
- Feria del Tejate
Plan around
- The hot season
Hot and dry.
Mar–May
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Oaxaca
Peak seasonThe best of April: Chiles de agua, Mango Manila and Ataulfo.
In season
- Chiles de aguaMar–Jun
- Mango Manila and AtaulfoMar–Jun
Plan around
- The hot season
Hot and dry.
Mar–May
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Oaxaca
The best of May: Chiles de agua, Mango Manila and Ataulfo, Festival del Mole, Teotitlan del Valle.
In season
- Chiles de aguaMar–Jun
- Mango Manila and AtaulfoMar–Jun
On the calendar
- Festival del Mole, Teotitlan del Valle
Plan around
- The hot season
Hot and dry.
Mar–May
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Oaxaca
The best of June: Rainy season and Chiles de agua.
In season
- Rainy season
Chapulines (grasshoppers), squash blossoms, wild mushrooms and fresh corn.
Jun–Sep - Chiles de aguaMar–Jun
- Mango Manila and AtaulfoMar–Jun
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Oaxaca
Shoulder seasonThe best of July: Cuitlacoche, Rainy season and Feria del Mezcal.
In season
- CuitlacocheJul–Sep
- Rainy season
Chapulines (grasshoppers), squash blossoms, wild mushrooms and fresh corn.
Jun–Sep - Chiles en nogadaJul–Oct
On the calendar
- Feria del MezcalJuly, around the Guelaguetza
Mezcal producers pour in the city.
- Convites Populares (Guelaguetza opener)
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsGuelaguetzaExpected 19–26 July 2027 · the two Mondays after 16 July
Oaxaca's festival of the seven regions, with dances, a mezcal fair and food from across the state.
How to go: Buy seats for the auditorium shows early.
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Oaxaca
Shoulder seasonThe best of August: Cuitlacoche and Rainy season.
In season
- CuitlacocheJul–Sep
- Rainy season
Chapulines (grasshoppers), squash blossoms, wild mushrooms and fresh corn.
Jun–Sep - Chiles en nogadaJul–Oct
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Oaxaca
The best of September: Cuitlacoche and Rainy season.
In season
- CuitlacocheJul–Sep
- Rainy season
Chapulines (grasshoppers), squash blossoms, wild mushrooms and fresh corn.
Jun–Sep - Chiles en nogadaJul–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Oaxaca
The best of October: Pan de muerto and hot chocolate, Mole season, Día de Muertos.
In season
- Mole season
Seven moles are cooked year-round, but mole negro is made in quantity for Día de Muertos.
Oct–Dec - Chiles en nogadaJul–Oct
Eat it now
- Pan de muerto and hot chocolateDía de Muertos
Egg bread with painted faces, and water-based chocolate frothed by hand.
Oct–Nov
On the calendar
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsDía de MuertosExpected 31 October to 2 November 2026 · always 31 October to 2 November
Altars, marigolds, pan de muerto and mole; Oaxaca's markets and cemetery vigils are the heart of it.
How to go: Book Oaxaca months ahead.
Oct–Nov
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Oaxaca
Peak seasonThe best of November: Pan de muerto and hot chocolate, Mole season, Día de Muertos.
In season
- Mole season
Seven moles are cooked year-round, but mole negro is made in quantity for Día de Muertos.
Oct–Dec - Mezcal season
Harvested agave is roasted in the dry months; visit palenques in Santiago Matatlán.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Pan de muerto and hot chocolateDía de Muertos
Egg bread with painted faces, and water-based chocolate frothed by hand.
Oct–Nov
On the calendar
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsDía de MuertosExpected 31 October to 2 November 2026 · always 31 October to 2 November
Altars, marigolds, pan de muerto and mole; Oaxaca's markets and cemetery vigils are the heart of it.
How to go: Book Oaxaca months ahead.
Oct–Nov
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Oaxaca
Peak seasonThe best of December: Noche de Rábanos, Buñuelos and Noche de Rabanos.
In season
- Romeritos en mole, bacalao a la vizcaina, buñuelos
- Mole season
Seven moles are cooked year-round, but mole negro is made in quantity for Día de Muertos.
Oct–Dec - Mezcal season
Harvested agave is roasted in the dry months; visit palenques in Santiago Matatlán.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Noche de Rábanos23 December
Radish-carving night in the zócalo, with buñuelos and atole.
- BuñuelosChristmas
Fried crisp disks in piloncillo syrup, sold in the plaza.
On the calendar
- Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes)
- Fiesta de la Virgen de la Soledad
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.