What to Do in Mexico City in October 2026: 12 Experiences We Recommend This Month

October is one of those months when Mexico City seems to have something new around every corner. Design, books, film, art, music, and the first major Day of the Dead celebrations take over the city.

If you're staying at KUKUN, here are some of the plans we would definitely put on our agenda.

1. Discover Design Week Mexico

October 5–11 · Different venues

If you like design, architecture, art, and everything happening around them, save this week. Design Week Mexico brings exhibitions and projects to different parts of the city, with several exhibitions continuing throughout October.

Our recommendation: don't try to see everything. Pick one exhibition and build your day around it.

2. Visit “Visión y Tradición”

October 8–November 1 · Museo Nacional de Antropología

Contemporary designers and Mexican artisans come together in this exhibition to create pieces that combine traditional techniques with new forms of design. Admission is free.

KUKUN says: if you want to see how Mexico can look toward the future without leaving its roots behind, this is a great place to start.

Address: Av. Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi s/n, Col. Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11560, Mexico City.

3. Discover PRINT 2026

October 8–31 · G.56 Hub Creativo

Graphic design, illustration, and printed arts come together in this Design Week exhibition under the concept “Global South Perspectives.” Admission is free.

It's the perfect plan for a relaxed afternoon and a chance to discover artists and designers you probably wouldn't find on a traditional tourist route.

Address: Gral. Antonio León 56, San Miguel Chapultepec, 11850 CDMX.

4. Step Inside Design House 2026

October 9–November 1 · Paseo de las Palmas 1305

An entire house transformed by designers, architects, brands, and artists. Design House turns different spaces into settings for experiencing interiors, furniture, materials, and art objects.

Our advice: give yourself plenty of time. The best part is stopping to appreciate the details.

Address: Av. Paseo de las Palmas 1305, Lomas de Chapultepec VIII Secc., Mexico City.

5. Get Lost Among Books at the FIL del Zócalo

October 9–18 · Zócalo

For ten days, the Zócalo becomes a huge book and literature fair, with book presentations, conversations, cultural activities, and music. Admission is free, with announced hours from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

KUKUN says: go without looking for a specific book. Sometimes the best part of a fair like this is finding a story you weren't looking for.

6. Discover Diseño Contenido

October 10–11 · Parque Lincoln

During this weekend, shipping containers become exhibition and sales spaces for Mexican designers, studios, brands, and creative projects. It's a contemporary design experience outdoors, right in Parque Lincoln.

An easy plan to combine with lunch in Polanco and a relaxed afternoon.

7. Attend a Circuito Cervantino Performance in Mexico City

Throughout October · Different venues

The International Cervantino Festival also comes to Mexico City with a program that includes opera, dance, theater, and music. October performances include events at Bellas Artes and Centro Cultural del Bosque.

Some dates to save: Ensamble Pygmalion on October 8, Cuarteto Arod on October 10, Leïla Ka on October 14, and Compañía Antonio Gades on October 16.

8. Watch a Film at DocsMX

October 22–31 · Different venues

If you want to discover another side of the city through film, DocsMX presents its 2026 edition with national and international documentaries at venues including Cineteca Nacional, Cine Tonalá, Centro de Cultura Digital, UNAM, and others.

KUKUN says: check the schedule and choose a screening. Then stay and talk about the film; that's part of the experience too.

9. Experience the Marcha Zombie

October 18 · Monumento a la Revolución → Centro Histórico

Mexico City fills with zombies, horror characters, and costumes for the 19th edition of this march. The gathering begins at 10:00 AM, and the parade starts at 4:00 PM from Monumento a la Revolución toward the Zócalo.

You don't have to be a zombie to participate: you can dress up as your favorite horror character.

10. Experience the Mega Procesión de las Catrinas

October 25 · Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez, and 5 de Mayo

Thousands of catrinas take over the city's streets in one of the events that marks the arrival of the Day of the Dead season. The route goes along Reforma, Avenida Juárez, and 5 de Mayo, with artistic performances taking place near the Angel of Independence before the procession begins.

Our recommendation: arrive early, find a good spot along Reforma, and stay to watch the procession go by.

11. Experience the Mexico City Grand Prix

October 30–November 1 · Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez

If you love Formula 1, this is the weekend. The Mexico City Grand Prix begins on Friday the 30th with practice, continues on Saturday the 31st with practice and qualifying, and the race takes place on Sunday, November 1.

Although the main race takes place in November, the F1 atmosphere begins in October, making this one of those experiences that transforms the city throughout the weekend.

12. Discover Inédito 2026

From October 10 · Espacio CDMX

Inédito brings together contemporary Mexican design pieces that explore new materials, processes, innovation, and the relationship between tradition and the future. The exhibition will remain at Espacio CDMX for several months, making it a good option for visitors coming to the city at different times during the fall.

KUKUN says: if you like discovering objects that tell stories, save this plan.

Mexico City doesn't end when check-in does.

This October, there are books to discover, exhibitions to see, films to find, design to explore, and streets filled with catrinas, music, and new stories.

We give you a place to stay. The city takes care of the rest.