What to do in Mexico City in August 2025: Art, culture, and festivals for every taste

August is one of the most vibrant months in Mexico’s capital. If you’re wondering what to do in Mexico City this summer, get ready for a packed calendar full of concerts, exhibitions, food fairs, international festivals, and sporting events. Here's a guide to the best activities in the city so you can experience the city to the fullest.

• Japan: From myth to manga

The Franz Mayer Museum hosts one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year. This international show from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum brings together over 150 pieces that explore Japanese imagination—from legends and fashion to film, manga, and ukiyo-e, including the iconic print The Great Wave. Opens August 8.

Address: Av. Hidalgo 45, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México

• World Press Photo 2025

The world’s most impactful photojournalism returns to the Franz Mayer Museum. This edition features award-winning work on current global issues like the war in Gaza and forced migration—42 powerful stories that reveal the impact of visual storytelling.

Address: Av. Hidalgo 45, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México

• Bandemia Festival

On August 2, independent music takes center stage at Sala Urbana in the State of Mexico. The Gran Festival Bandemia brings together key acts from the alt scene like Belafonte Sensacional, Juan Cirerol, El Shirota, and Mengers, celebrating the power of DIY music.

Address: Blvd. Toluca 115, El Conde, 53500 Naucalpan de Juárez

• Shakira at Estadio GNP

Shakira returns to Mexico City with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. Her shows on August 26, 27, 29, and 30 promise an unforgettable celebration of strength, music, and emotion at Estadio GNP.

Address:  Viad. Río de la Piedad S/N, Granjas México, Iztacalco

• Mexico City Marathon

The capital’s biggest sporting event takes place August 31. The CDMX Marathon kicks off at Insurgentes Sur and finishes in the Zócalo, drawing over 30,000 runners to fill the streets with energy. It’s a unique blend of sports, culture, and endurance.

• Cartonería Festival

From August 14–17, the Alameda de Santa María la Ribera bursts with color thanks to traditional papier-mâché art, including a six-meter-tall figure named Tita. A tribute to Mexican folk art and the joy of play as a part of childhood.

Address: Jaime Torres Bodet 152, Sta María la Ribera, Cuauhtémoc

• Natsu Matsuri: Japanese Summer Festival

If you love Japanese culture, don’t miss Natsu Matsuri on August 16 and 17 at the Mexican Japanese Association. Enjoy food, music, traditional dance, guest performers, and family-friendly activities in an authentic summer festival setting.

Address: Fujiyama 144, Águilas, Álvaro Obregón

• Mushroom Festival in Cuajimalpa

From August 29–31, the Cuajimalpa borough pays tribute to mushrooms with a culinary festival featuring live music, crafts, and dishes made with a wide variety of edible fungi. Free entry.

• Historic Grand Prix

On August 10, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez hosts the 2025 Historic Grand Prix, featuring more than 300 classic and sports cars—some on display, others racing. A must for motorheads and nostalgia lovers.

• Amplificadas Exhibition

Running through August 31 at Centro Cultural El Rulé, this exhibit honors female DJs known as sonideras, with photos, audiovisual pieces, and a dance event on August 30. A great pick for socially and musically driven things to do in CDMX.

Address: Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 6, primer piso, Centro Histórico

With so much happening in Mexico City, the best way to enjoy it all is by staying in a well-located neighborhood like Condesa, Roma, Polanco, or Juárez. At Kukun, we offer fully furnished apartments with style, smart technology, and unbeatable locations that let you move freely throughout the city. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, our spaces are designed to connect travelers with authentic experiences.