Good to know
Good to Know
- All major cultural events (Carnival, Independence Day, Jazz Festival, Feria del Carmen) are free to attend. Plaza 28 de Julio is the primary event hub for headline concerts.
- Semana Santa is the busiest tourist period with approximately 1.4 million visitors; expect crowded beaches and full hotel occupancies.
- Day of the Dead celebrations are both private (family altars) and public (Xcaret Park's Festival of Life and Death requires paid admission to the park).
- 5th Avenue closes to vehicle traffic during major parades (Carnival, Feria del Carmen); plan transportation accordingly.
- For headline concerts at major events, arrive 2+ hours early to secure a good spot.
- The city is a relatively new resort destination with events heavily centered on tourism and cultural celebration.
Events
Carnival (Carnaval)
- Dates
- February 8-17 (2026)
- Month
- February
- Admission
- Free
- Main Venue
- Plaza 28 de Julio, 5th Avenue
- Description
- One of the most important cultural events of the year in the Riviera Maya, featuring vibrant parades, colorful costumes, comparsas (dance groups), and free headline concerts in a family-friendly atmosphere at Plaza 28 de Julio and along 5th Avenue.
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
- Dates
- Variable (early April 2026)
- Month
- March/April
- Admission
- Free
- Main Venue
- City-wide, beaches
- Description
- One of the busiest times in Playa del Carmen when most Mexicans have time off and celebrate at beaches and throughout the city.
Riviera Maya Film Festival
- Dates
- Mid-April
- Month
- April
- Admission
- Free
- Main Venue
- Various venues throughout town
- Description
- A week-long festival featuring multiple films around town and the area, with many international award winners. All screenings are free.
Mexican Independence Day (Día De La Independencia)
- Dates
- September 16
- Month
- September
- Admission
- Free
- Main Venue
- Fundadores Beach, city-wide
- Description
- Celebrated annually with a colorful Grito ceremony, parades, fireworks on the beach, and cultural dance shows at Fundadores Beach.
Day of the Dead (Día De Los Muertos)
- Dates
- October 30 - November 2
- Month
- October/November
- Admission
- Free (city celebration); Xcaret Park admission required for Festival of Life and Death
- Main Venue
- Family homes, gravesites; Xcaret Park (7 minutes from city center)
- Description
- A UNESCO-declared intangible cultural heritage tradition where families build altars to celebrate loved ones who have passed. Xcaret Park hosts the Festival of Life and Death with Day of the Dead cuisine (mole, Pan de Muerto, tamales), concerts with Mexican artists, and theatrical performances.
Feria Del Carmen (Playa Del Carmen Fair)
- Dates
- July 10-17 (2026)
- Month
- July
- Admission
- Free for concerts and cultural activities
- Main Venue
- Plaza 28 de Julio, Fairgrounds, CTM, Calle 75 Norte
- Description
- A traditional festival celebrating the Virgin of Carmen, the city's patron saint. Features free concerts, rides, food court, craft stalls, cultural events, regional dances, and a solemn mass and procession along 5th Avenue on July 16.
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
- Dates
- November (annual)
- Month
- November
- Admission
- Free
- Main Venue
- Playa del Carmen Beach
- Description
- A free music festival on the beach featuring international jazz and world music acts. Brings approximately 50,000 people to Playa del Carmen for performances set against the Caribbean Sea.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Playa del Carmen
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.