The Guelaguetza 2026 is not only celebrated through music and dance but also through its rich culinary traditions. As part of Oaxaca’s biggest cultural festival, the Festival of Moles will bring together traditional cooks and local restaurants for two days of tastings featuring the state’s seven classic mole varieties, along with mezcal, tejate, desserts, and traditional sweets.
When and Where Will the Festival of Moles Take Place?
The Festival of Moles 2026 will be held on Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25, as part of the official Guelaguetza 2026 program.
The event will take place at the Oaxaca Gastronomic Center, located on García Vigil Street in Oaxaca City’s Historic Center.
Activities will begin at 2:00 p.m. on both days.
Over the years, the festival has become one of the most representative gastronomic events of the Guelaguetza season, bringing together the culinary traditions of Oaxaca’s diverse regions in a single venue.
What Types of Mole Will Be Available?
One of the festival’s main attractions is the opportunity to sample Oaxaca’s seven traditional mole varieties, along with additional ancestral recipes prepared using techniques and ingredients passed down through generations.
Featured specialties include:
- Mole Negro
- Mole Coloradito
- Mole Verde
- Mole Amarillo
- Mole Chichilo
- Manchamanteles
- Other traditional recipes prepared by participating restaurants and traditional cooks
Each participating restaurant will present its own interpretation of these classic dishes, allowing visitors to experience different flavors, ingredients, and preparation styles.
In addition to traditional cooks, several renowned Oaxaca restaurants will participate, including some recognized for their culinary excellence and mentioned in the Michelin Guide.
Ticket Price and What’s Included
Admission costs 1,300 pesos per person.
The ticket includes:
- One main dish prepared by the restaurant of your choice.
- Tastings of traditional beverages, including mezcal and tejate.
- Traditional Oaxacan desserts.
- Regional handmade sweets.
The festival’s format allows visitors to explore the culinary exhibition while discovering both the creations of established restaurants and the work of traditional cooks who preserve some of Oaxaca’s most iconic recipes.
Why Is the Festival of Moles One of the Most Anticipated Guelaguetza Events?
Although the Guelaguetza is internationally known for its traditional dances, music, and Indigenous cultural celebrations, gastronomy plays an equally important role in the festivities.
The Festival of Moles offers visitors the chance to experience one of Mexico’s most iconic dishes in its place of origin. Each variety reflects unique regional ingredients, culinary techniques, and traditions that form an essential part of Oaxaca’s rich gastronomic heritage.
For this reason, the festival has become one of the most sought-after attractions during the Guelaguetza season, drawing both domestic and international visitors eager to discover the authentic flavors of Oaxaca.
Source: ejecentral
