San Luis Potosí
This exceptionally handsome neoclassical theater completed in 1894 contains a concert hall with 1500 seats where San Luis Potosí's Orquesta Sinfónica…
Must-see entertainment in Mexico
Oaxaca City
If you’re not in Oaxaca for the Guelaguetza dance festival itself (July), it’s well worth attending one of the regular imitations. The highly colorful…
Monterrey
This petite Spanish-language puppet theater is a delight for younger crowds, with lively Sunday shows (from 5pm) as well as periodic Friday- and Saturday…
La Paz
Features performances by musical and theatrical groups, often by performers from mainland Mexico, as well as occasional film series. The giant theater is…
San Miguel de Allende
Built in 1873, this elegant venue is the most impressive in town and hosts local productions, classical-music concerts and other cultural events. The…
Guadalajara
This erstwhile 17th-century church and monastery (which mostly now dates from the 1860s) is home to a well-respected cultural center hosting a wide range…
Isla Cozumel
Though the cocktails here barely pass muster, there are some pretty decent live acts – not only covers, but some nice original stuff too. The beers are…
Centro Histórico
Cool young things pack the terrace of this place each weekend for its excellent DJ and live-music sessions. Located directly behind the cathedral, the…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
With liberal doses of politically and sexually irreverent comedy and a genre-bending musical program, all in Spanish, this alternative cabaret is…
Guadalajara
This retro glam jazz club – table cloths, chandeliers, martinis – on the 1er piso (1st floor, not ground floor) of a downtown city building has sets most…
Morelia
Numerous renovations since its inception in 1828 haven't dampened the refinement of Morelia's centrally located Teatro Ocampo. It hosts everything from…
Puerto Vallarta
In the heart of the Zona Romántica, this place draws an enthusiastic mixed crowd with its nightly rock cover bands and no admission charge. Expect…
Guadalajara
The hippest venue in town hosting a wide range of range of drama, dance and music performances. It stages traveling Broadway shows, concerts with local…
Centro Histórico
Some visionary developers took a historic building and transformed its stonewalled ground level into a restaurant-bar for various cultural happenings,…
Cine Luciernaga (Firefly Cinema)
Zipolite
A neat little makeshift cinema with indoor and outdoor seating areas and a small bar. It usually screens one or two evening shows. From December through…
Campeche
Incidents from Campeche’s pirate past are reenacted several nights a week at the Puerta de Tierra. It’s a Disneyesque extravaganza with lots of cannon…
Veracruz City
This popular live-music venue and club plays a variety of music: salsa, pop, rock etc. Come late and expect it to be packed in with the raucous, jovial…
Centro Histórico
Built in 1918 and modeled after Milan's La Scala opera house, this lavishly restored 1300-seat hall gets some of the more interesting touring acts in…
Acapulco
At the airport junction in the Diamante area, this huge, striking venue attracts big-name acts for anything from dance performances to rock. It's best…
Mérida
Strippers, drag queens and karaoke are the reasons to come to Blue, which is a bit far from the center near the Paseo de Montejo. Great shows and a casual…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
With a beautiful upstairs space and terrace, this art gallery and tea salon screens films and holds events. Private cinema rooms available with over 3500…
Chichén Itzá
Weather permitting, the 45-minute light-and-sound show begins each evening at 8pm in summer and 7pm in winter. You must preorder your tickets online.
Isla Holbox
Drop by the palapa bar at Hostel Tribu for live music, weekly salsa classes and Tuesday pub quizzes.
Mérida
This cultural center on Plaza Grande always has something going on: films, concerts, art installations and other events, many of which are free.
Isla Mujeres
Drinks and food are nothing special here but if the Cuban salsa band is playing it's definitely worth sticking around for some dancing.
Zona Rosa & Reforma
Screens commercial releases and international film-festival titles, many in their original language with Spanish subtitles.
Oaxaca City
The July Guelaguetza celebrations take place in this rather spectacular semi-open-air auditorium on the Cerro del Fortín.
Guadalajara
This historic theater is a downtown cultural center that hosts a range of drama, dance and music performances.
Mazatlán
Screens recent releases, including some original version Hollywood films with subtitles.
Ensenada
The Centro Estatal de las Artes has shows and exhibits throughout the year.
Guadalajara
You’ll have to trek out to Zapopan if you want to see the beloved ‘Chivas’ (ie Guadalajara’s fútbol team) juggle footballs and – hopefully – make their…
Centro Histórico
One of Mexico City’s two wrestling venues, the smaller, more intimate Arena Coliseo is taken over by a circus atmosphere each week, with flamboyant…
Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec
Behind the Auditorio Nacional, the Centro Cultural del Bosque features six theaters, including the Teatro de la Danza, dedicated to modern dance. On…
Mexico City
This split-level venue at the edge of Centro Histórico stages electric blues artists in the Buddy Guy/Howlin’ Wolf mold. About once a month there’s a…
Mexico City
This fútbol stadium is Mexico's 10th largest stadium with a capacity for 33,000. It's home to the Cruz Azul team, who can be seen playing here. There is…
Xalapa
A sanctuary for arty types, the historic high-ceilinged Tierra Luna provides a changing roster of poetry readings, theater performances and music gigs. It…
Cuernavaca
Come here to dance salsa, not on a stage but around the tables of families having dinner on the terrace, with crowds of appreciative onlookers. The live…
Teatro Principal Francisco Javier Clavijero
Veracruz City
This theater has a long history and has had many incarnations. It moved here in 1819 and adopted its current architectural style (French neoclassical with…
