Spring has arrived in the Oaxacan capital with a clear invitation to take to the streets, reconnect with traditions, and rediscover the city through music, gastronomy, and art.
This was announced by Alicia Bueno Velasco, Secretary of Tourism for the municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, during Mayor Ray Chagoya’s weekly press conference, where she unveiled details of the 2025 Spring Festival, a joint initiative between the City Council and the State Government to fill every corner of the city with life and color.
The message is clear: Oaxaca wants to shine, and it will do so through a cultural program that will unfold both in the heart of the historic center and in the neighborhoods and neighborhoods that shape the city’s vibrant identity.
“Oaxaca must be reborn, and it will do so this spring,” the official enthused, emphasizing the inclusive and community-based nature of the festival. The goal is clear: for families, especially children, to take ownership of public spaces and participate in programming designed for all ages.
One of the great successes of this edition is the gastronomic component, which kicked off with the presentation of the Spring Menu at the Municipal Historical Archive. Twenty-five restaurants affiliated with the Canirac (National Council of the Municipality of Oaxaca) participated in the event, designing special menus at affordable prices, with dishes starting at 100 pesos. “We want local diners to come without fear of the cost, and discover that in Oaxaca you can eat well, with a variety of dishes, without breaking the bank,” explained Bueno Velasco.
But spring isn’t just something to savor; it’s also something to hear and dance to. On April 25th, the emblematic date of the 493rd anniversary of Oaxaca de Juárez’s elevation to the status of city, a range of events will take place across multiple locations throughout the municipality. The stage show “Los mitos oaxaqueños” (Oaxacan Myths) will be presented at the corner of Santo Domingo Street, while the Santo Tomás Jalietza Children’s Philharmonic Band will offer a concert in front of the Benito Juárez Market. As an artistic highlight, performer Rubí López will give a concert in the atrium of the church in the Xalatlaco neighborhood.
The concept behind the festival is to bring culture to the public. For art to happen in the streets, spontaneously, generously, and openly. “The intention is for anyone who walks the streets of Oaxaca to encounter a cultural, educational, or simply emotional experience,” stated the Secretary of Tourism.
Beyond the festive agenda, the municipality also celebrated the positive tourism results of the past Holy Week. According to official figures, between April 10 and 14, hotel occupancy was 66.79%, with the arrival of 46,431 national and international visitors. The economic impact reached 203 million pesos, consolidating Oaxaca as one of the country’s favorite destinations. Monte Albán, museums, and cultural venues were once again the center of tourist interest.
These figures, Bueno Velasco emphasized, reflect the municipal government’s commitment to keeping Oaxaca on the cultural map of the country and the world. “We want the capital to continue being a space where life, culture, and diversity are celebrated every day of the year,” he stated.
The Spring Festival is already underway, and with it, a message of hope, community, and beauty: Oaxaca flourishes, and does so to the rhythm of its people.
Source: agenciaaxacamx
