Tulum Events: Here’s what you should not miss

When people think about Tulum, most of the time some people think about Mayan history and civilization, while others think about the beach, great food, music and parties. In fact, these are all part of the attraction of Tulum, and many events result from those themes, whether it is an artisanal market, live music, ceremonies, or festivals. So in this article we will present to you all the events that you should not miss if you are in Tulum.

Weekly events

Firstly, if you are here just for a week, do not worry; there are plenty of events every week and for everyone. 

Local markets

During the week you can go to many markets in the city. The artisanal market takes place in La Veleta in front of La Taquería Pinches Tacos in the late afternoon. As its name suggests, you can find many handicrafts and local food. And on Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm in the center of the city, in Parque Dos Aguas, the Mayan market offers fruits, tamales, and crafts. Going to the local market is a good idea when you really want to immerse yourself in the culture and discover the local gastronomy, and it’s also a good way to support the local economy. Also if you are interested in natural products, Mayan medicine, handcrafts, and healthy food, you should go to the Aldea Farmers Market that takes place in Plaza Hunab every Saturday.

Live music

If you like to listen to music, Tulum is the ideal place. Throughout the week in many bars and beach clubs, you can enjoy live music. If you like Jazz, we would recommend you to go to Bacab, or to Radio Tulum, where they host great Jazz musicians one night per week. In Negro Huitlacoche, La Pizzine and Bonita Tulum there is live music every night. If you are looking to both listen to music and dance, then we would definitely recommend going to Palma Central on Tuesday nights, where the whole town gathers to dance Salsa. And if you are more into Techno music & events, then check out Mia Hotel and beach club or Papaya Playa Project. You can check which events will be happening during your trip to Tulum on instagram accounts of bars, restaurants & hotels, or on different websites like tulum party, & eventbrite.

Street Art & Sculpture

If you are interested in art, you must have noticed that there is a lot of street art in the city. In fact, it is very important here, and if you want to participate in some artistic event, you should check the Instagram of Holistika. It’s a place where you can take some yoga classes and take the time to admire the art of different artists through a walk into the jungle. At different times of the year, artists are invited to paint and participate in this artistic project. 

Also, if you are interested in other forms of art, like Sculptures, we would recommend you to go to Ahau Tulum Hotel, to see the stunning Sculpture Ven a la Luz , designed by the artist Daniel Popper.

Dance

Another well-known art form in Tulum is dance, particularly salsa. As mentioned earlier, on Tuesday nights you can listen to a salsa band at Palma Central  and try to learn how to dance or simply dance if you already know how to do it. Palma Central is a family-friendly place, open every day except on Wednesdays. There are many food trucks waiting for you there, and you can enjoy your night to the sound of music. If you'd like to listen to local djs check out La pizzine on Monday nights where locals gather to dance to a wide selection of music.

Cinema & Theatre

Sala Mercurio is another place you should visit. It’s a cultural center with a calendar dedicated to performance. There are events every week including theatre, poetry, dance and cinema. They also have a weekly schedule for artistic cinema. They show many different types of movies, so check the calendar on their website and choose the one that calls you.

Monthly events 

In Tulum you can enjoy bigger monthly events, and like the weekly event, there is entertainment for every taste in Tulum. Tulum is originally a Mayan city, and this past community and the current one have a big influence on the city and have left a significant legacy. Therefore, many events have a Mayan origin and allow you to immerse yourself in this culture. 

Markets 

Monthly markets usually take place on the first Sunday of each month. The Village Market is perfect for families; you'll find street food and handicrafts, live music, and kids’ workshops. It is located in the neighborhood Aldea Zama. The Mercado Maya takes place every Sunday, but it is bigger on the first Sunday of each month. There are some animations, concerts, and stands.

Ceremonies 

In the Mayan culture, spirituality is very important. The full moon is one of the best moments to experience that, as many ceremonies take place during this moment due to all the beliefs around this natural satellite. It is a moment of introspection and connection with yourself, and every month when it is the full moon, many hotels offer to participate in moon circle or cacao night. They invite you to purify and heal yourself during a group ceremony by the light of the moon, such as at the Healing Sanctuary or in the Hotel Dune. 

Annual events 

Festivals 

For many people, Tulum is famous for its festivals. In fact, many international DJs decide to participate in famous music events located here. 

The most important and famous is Zamna Festival. It takes place at the end of December and at the beginning of January. During many days people come to the jungle to listen to electronic music, like house or techno, in a spiritual atmosphere. They can enjoy many light effects and decorations. This festival has existed since 2017 and is now a must-see in Tulum if you like those types of events and music.

At the end of April, you can also participate in the Renaissance Tulum festival. It also takes place in Zamna.

Day Zero is another important festival in Tulum. The creator, Damian Lazarus, wanted to create a festival where the Mayan meet the extraterrestrials thanks to many light effects and visual projections. This festival celebrates the end of the Mayan calendar and takes place in September, in the jungle of Dos Ojos Cenote park.

If you are looking for an event that is suitable for everyone, no matter the age, Art with Me is perfect. This festival is dedicated to gastronomy, art, music, well-being, and ecology. It takes place between November and May and lasts 4 or 5 days. The youngest can join fun and educational workshops that raise awareness about ecology, while adults can enjoy art exhibitions, live music, meditation or yoga sessions, and even some gastronomic pop-ups. 

Sports Events

If you like to join sports events or simply watch sports, Tulum also has many events to offer you.

In December, you can participate in the Tulum Half Marathon. It’s a 21 km race organized in Tulum. And to make it accessible for everyone, there are other races of 10 km, 5 km, and even 3 km. So if you want to participate, you are welcome and should sign up in advance because there are spots for only 2 000 participants. Keep in mind that the participation is not free, and the price will be a minimum of 450 pesos.

To continue with races, the Xcaret group organized every year the Xplor Bravest Race. The goal is simple: journey through the jungle, cave, and trail while avoiding different obstacles. This event, located in the Xplor Park, works with many waves of participants. Even kids under 15 years old can participate in the mini Bravest Race that is accessible from 5 years old.

Xcaret also organizes the Xel-Ha Triathlon, located 20 minutes by car from Tulum. The registrations are open to everyone, from beginners to experienced Triathletes.

If you want to watch a different sporting event, in May, there is the Tulum Championship. It is a golf event located at PGA Riviera Maya -Tulum country club and is the only Mexican step of the Korn Ferry Tour. 

If you are a fan of cars, the Yucatán peninsula welcomes every year the Rally Maya México. This rally of historic cars tries to promote the region, with its history, culture, gastronomy, and more. From Campeche to Yucatan & Quintana Roo, the circuit of this race changes every year in order to visit different places inside the peninsula.

Here are some tips during all the events: 

• Don’t forget to bring cash with you because here most of the transactions are done in cash. 

• Don’t forget to check the date and place of every event on the internet or social media because sometimes there are changes. 

• Bring water with you because with the heat, dehydration can come faster than you think.

  
  

As mentioned, Tulum offers many wonderful experiences for everyone, whatever you are searching for, so we hope you will enjoy your stay and create amazing memories with all these suggestions !