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Why Visit Now: Mexico City

Exceptional weather year-round and unparalleled cultural wonders, make Mexico City always worth a visit. A new season of festivals and concerts begins, next to a long-list of restaurants, bars and hotels reinventing Mexican hospitality.

Cristina Alonso
Mar 18, 2025
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Year-round mild weather, an incomparable cultural landscape and irresistible food mean that Mexico City is always a good idea. From its warm, whimsical spring, when the streets blossom with the purple hues of jacaranda trees, to its crisp fall, when the spirit of Día de los Muertos takes over every corner, the city’s seasons bring their own magic. 

Yet with recent openings in the hotel and dining scenes, list-topping bars and upcoming events, ranging from the ever-popular Formula One Grand Prix to blockbuster concerts, there are more reasons than ever to plan a trip to the bustling Mexican capital. Read on, check your calendar and start planning your next trip to Mexico City.

1. All About Art at Zona MACO and Art Week

Creativity, innovation and beauty take over Mexico City every February as Art Week brings together creators and art lovers from around the world. From Feb. 5-9, Zona MACO is the main event, held at the Centro Citibanamex convention center. As the largest art fair in Latin America, it has been transforming the landscape in Mexico City for more than two decades. Today, it consists of four sections: Zona MACO México Arte Contemporáneo, focused on emerging and renowned art galleries; Zona MACO Salón del Anticuario, showcasing antiques; Zona MACO Foto, a platform for photography; and Zona MACO Design, dedicated to textiles, jewelry, furniture and other design objects. All over the city, art galleries and alternative spaces host exhibitions, talks and plenty of parties to complement the fair.

2. A Paradise for Cocktail Lovers

Hidden inside a business hotel in the city’s bustling Colonia Juárez, Handshake Bar has quickly become a favorite among locals thanks to its beautiful, deceptively simple drinks, which boast extraordinary creativity and skill. And the industry has noticed, too. Handshake just snagged the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars in October. Cocktail aficionados will love to explore other bars honored on the prestigious list, including the mezcal-centric Tlecan (#20) and the legendary Licorería Limantour (#32), as well as an array of creative concepts around the city that transform cocktail hour into a truly explorative journey.

Best Things To Do in Mexico City - Fernwayer
Draft cocktails and shareable bar bites at the newly-opened Outline in Roma Norte.

Talia Maldonado

Head to Brujas in Colonia Roma, a lowly-lit, woman-led space where drinks are inspired by Mexican herbalism, resulting in delicious, mystical creations like the La Matlazihua (mezcal, grasshopper brine, and chamomile liquor). At the newly-opened Outline, draft cocktails bring a fun twist to the drinking experience, but make no mistake – behind each pour hides a carefully crafted blend, imagined and executed by bar masters Maura and Alex Lawrence. Outline also serves tasty bar bites and houses a coffee shop and apparel store, offering a distinctive and creative atmosphere.

3. Must-See Exhibitions at MUNAL and Museo Tamayo

The iconic MUNAL (Museo Nacional de Arte), an architectural jewel in the heart of the city, hosts the exhibition Diálogos de Vanguardia (Vanguard Dialogues), showcasing the Pearlman Collection until January 12, 2025. The exhibit includes pieces by artists like Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Amedeo Modigliani in conversation with work by Mexican masters like Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and Joaquín Clausell. At Museo Tamayo, Tamayo: Mujeres is on until February 23, 2025, featuring a selection of works that show the Mexican artist’s representation of women and its evolution.

Best Things To Do in Mexico City - Fernwayer
The brutalist architecture building housing the Museo Tamayo, in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park.

BondRocketImages

4. Concerts, Concerts, Concerts

2025 promises to be a music-packed year in Mexico City, with shows that range from the uber-anticipated Oasis reunion to lively festivals with eclectic lineups. The year starts with legendary Spanish singer Joaquín Sabina, who will perform at Auditorio Nacional for several nights between late January and mid-February.

Also on February (7 and 8), Justin Timberlake brings his The Forget Tomorrow tour to Palacio de los Deportes. March brings two big names: Sting will take over Auditorio Nacional (7 and 8) while Shakira will conquer stages during multiple dates in Mexico City (as well as Guadalajara and Monterrey).

The fall brings the thrilling Oasis reunion, with the Gallagher brothers performing at the GNP Seguros Stadium on September 12 and 13. Festival lovers will find plenty to love at classics like Ceremonia (April) and Corona Capital (November). Rumor has it that Coldplay will grace the city with their presence in November, but nothing has been confirmed as of now.

5. F1 Fever Invades the City in October

Held since 2015 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – except for a Covid-mandated pause in 2020 –, the Mexico City Grand Prix is one of those events that takes over the entire city, in the best of ways. Excitement fills the air as fans wear their team jerseys and hats throughout the weekend, not just to the track, but to restaurants, bars, and anywhere they can show support – especially for hometown hero, Checo Pérez.

Best Things To Do in Mexico City - Fernwayer
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez hosts the Mexican Grand Prix in October.

Michael Potts F1

Mark your calendar for October 24-26, 2025, when the Mexico City Grand Prix will follow the Austin race as it has in previous years. It’s wise to book your race tickets and lodging in advance, as this is one of the most highly sought-after events in the city.

6. Celebrate Life with Día de Muertos

Every year, bright orange marigolds line Paseo de la Reforma, announcing one of the most beloved celebrations of the year: Día de los Muertos. Held on Nov. 1 and 2, the holiday spirit is felt from the beginning of October, when locals set up their ofrendas, or altars, honoring those who have left this earthly plane with photos, flowers, candles and perhaps a shot of tequila or one of their favorite dishes, awaiting their visit during the holidays and celebrating their lives. Spectacular ofrendas are open to the public at places like the Zócalo, the city’s main square, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Best Things To Do in Mexico City - Fernwayer
A catrina on horseback during the Día de Muertos parade in Mexico City.

Eve Orea

Join the celebrations and witness the spectacular Día de los Muertos parade, traditionally held on Paseo de la Reforma and featuring an array of colorful contingents. Another favorite is the Alebrije Parade, a 16-year tradition showcasing the work of artisans from several regions who create monumental versions of the iconic Oaxacan crafts. After the parade, the alebrijes take their places on Paseo de la Reforma’s sidewalks for the following few days as part of a public art exhibition. Throughout the season, there is always a good excuse to savor freshly baked pan de muerto at restaurants and bakeries all over town.

Read more: Hanal Pixán is Not the Day of the Dead

7. New Culinary Concepts Bring the Field to the City

As an endlessly explorable culinary paradise, Mexico City never ceases to amaze with its dining options – be it street snacks, fine dining options, local haunts, cantinas, and everything in between. Creativity is always on the menu, and a recent wave of openings has put fresh, local produce on the forefront, reminding us that this huge, fascinating metropolis is not as far from the fields as we might believe.

At Polanco’s Malix, chef Alonso Madrigal draws inspiration from the concept of miscegenation to create original, thoughtful dishes using seasonal products and making relationships with local suppliers a top priority. While the menu changes constantly, you might encounter delights like a Wagyu tartare with wild mushrooms or trout with recado negro –a traditional mix of burnt tortilla, pepper, and spices– that you won’t soon forget. 

In Colonia Condesa, Baldío just opened its doors, debuting the country’s first zero-waste restaurant. A collaboration between regenerative farming project Arca Tierra and London’s renowned zero-waste restaurant Silo, Baldío puts traceability and collaboration at the forefront, with frequent stints by guest chefs that invite diners to open their horizons and reconsider the way they eat. Over in Juárez, chef Allan Feldman leads Tirasavia, a cozy farm-to-table spot loved for its weekend brunch and Saturday evening jazz sessions. Burger lovers can’t miss the house’s classic burger, limited to six every day and doled out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Read more: Can the Mexican Cantina Rise Once Again? 

8. An Ever-Expanding Hotel Scene

Mexico City’s already rich and eclectic hotel scene has welcomed intriguing new members over the past months, with concepts that make the hospitality scene more exciting than ever. In the very heart of Polanco’s thriving Polanquito area, Kimpton Virgilio is a charming triangle-shaped building that was once one of the most recognizable apartment complexes in the area. Today, the hotel houses modern, comfortable guest rooms; a lovely rooftop with relaxing city views and the La Caña Bar, and Pepe, a Spanish eatery facing the always buzzing Polanco streets.

Lomas de Chapultepec, a neighborhood that’s not particularly known for its hotel offerings, is now home to Alexander Hotel, found inside Torre Virreyes. Its spacious suites boast sleek, contemporary decor, and luxury amenities –think Poltrona Frau furniture, Bang & Olufsen speakers, and Byredo bath amenities–, as well as sweeping views of Chapultepec Park and the city. After a day of exploring or working, the Caviar Bar awaits with high-end bar bites and cocktails by renowned mixologist Mica Rousseau.

Best Things To Do in Mexico City - Fernwayer
Casona brings boutique hospitality and exciting culinary concepts to Roma Norte.

Christina Alonso

Casona Roma Norte is a much-welcome arrival to Durango, one of the neighborhood’s busiest avenues. With 32 rooms, the boutique hotel places you in the heart of Roma’s creative, culinary landscape, offering exciting dining concepts itself. Highlights include Suchi, a fun Sinaloa-style sushi spot by celebrity chef Aquiles Chávez, and a bakery and coffee shop by La Macaria

Author
Cristina Alonso
Cristina Alonso is a Mexican travel and food writer. She is the author of Art and Fiesta in Mexico City, published by Hardie Grant Travel. Her work has appeared in publications like T Magazine, Departures, and Travel+Leisure.