Mérida is an amazing place and there’s always something going on! Below are the regular weekly events. All are great but my favorites are the locals dance in Santiago on Tuesdays, the show in Santa Lucía on Thursdays, and the community biciruta on Sunday mornings. Enjoy!
(A note
Monday – Vaquería Yucateca 9pm
Palacio Municipal Calle 62 X 61 y 63
The “Vaquería” is reminiscent of the old “town festivals” of the seventeenth century, which were held in the cattle ranches where the feast of the ironing of the cattle was framed by dances and festivities called by the owner of the farm.
This custom is recreated every Monday, with a program in which traditional dances are performed. Live music, by the “Jaranera” orchestra of the Mérida City Council creates a special festive atmosphere.
Tuesday – Musical Remembrances 8:30pm
Santiago Park Calle 59 y 72
It takes place in Santiago Park, a place where the notes of the “Jaranera” orchestra rock couples under the charm of songs. Note: This a fun event to watch but even more fun to join in and dance!
Wednesday – Video Mapping 8pm
Casa de Montejo Calle 60 y 63
The facade of the Montejo House is painted using a digital mapping, the elements that are sculpted in the building are explained in detail, which serves as the setting for a scenic dialogue between Francisco de Montejo and an indigenous leader.
Thursday – Serenade in Santa Lucía 9pm
Santa Lucia Park Calle 60 y 55
The Plaza Santa Lucia is the precise setting for the Serenade of Santa Lucia. A program created to offer a space of remembrance to Yucatecan composers. (Note: This is a very impressive dance and music show. Arrive early to claim your seat or I also recommend booking a dinner reservation at Apoala and ask for an outside table to watch the show)
Friday – Sacred Stones 8pm
Esplanade of the Cathedral of San Idelfonso Calle 60 y 61
It is a videomapping show on the facade of the Cathedral of San Idelfonso. It combines several 3D and 2D animation techniques to deliver a historical reunion of the creation of the building, built with the stones of the ancient Mayan city of “Thó”.
Saturday – “Pok ta Pok” (Mayan Ball Game) 8pm
Esplanade of the Cathedral of San Idelfonso Calle 60 y 61
“Pok ta Pok”, is a Mayan representation of the cosmic cycles to ask for fertility and please the gods. In it, the two teams compete to pass a solid rubber ball through a narrow hoop located almost three meters high, and the players can only touch it with their forearms, knees and hips.
Saturday – Mexican Night 8pm
Remate dePaseo de Montejo Calle 47 y 58
The Mexican night, with exponents who every week enrich the traditional celebration, a celebration that calls for music, voices and traditional dances from other entities and regions of the country, singers, composers, dancers, actors and interpreters and numerous guests; the setting is the so-called “auction” or “start” of Paseo de Montejo.
Sunday – Biciruta 8am-12pm
Paseo de Montejo
It is an event held to promote sports and family life. Explore the most representative historical sites from the Paseo de Montejo to the Ermita de Santa Isabel, and it is an excellent opportunity to do physical activity and bike or walk the most beautiful streets of the city. (Note: On Sunday mornings they close down the streets (Calle 60 and Paseo de Montejo) to cars and the town shows up to ride bikes up & down while artists show their art on the sidewalk. It’s a good way to get a feel of the culture and personality of the town. If you use our bikes at Casa Jessica, I recommend biking along Calle 63 towards Plaza Grande then north on Calle 60. Otherwise head to Paseo de Montejo and there are several places to rent a bike.)
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