Guadalajara Update: 2024 Milestones Support 2025 Events and Attractions

Image: Guadalajara churches and plazas are a sight to behold. (photo via Alex Temblador)
Image: Guadalajara churches and plazas are a sight to behold. (photo via Alex Temblador)
Greg Custer
by Greg Custer
Last updated: 12:00 PM ET, Sat December 14, 2024

A pivot toward Mexico for cultural and event experiences is the 2025 promotional focus of Guadalajara, Jalisco tourism authorities. Across Mexico's second-largest urban area, an eventful 2024 hopes to catalyze new interest from US travel advisors and their clients, especially those seeking iconic expressions of genuine Mexican culture alongside the latest popular music events by celebrated artists worldwide.

Jalisco State is home to iconic cultural expressions firmly associated with Mexico, specifically the beverage tequila (first distilled here), the musical tradition of mariachi (a 19th-century mash-up of musical traditions), and an unrivaled urban visitor experience. 

2024 saw numerous newsworthy accomplishments. One in particular belongs on many travelers’ wish lists: the reinstatement of the Tequila Express rail service (an investment of US$9 million), which now operates roundtrip routes on Fridays and Saturdays between Guadalajara and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Tequila.  

Pairing up appropriately with the Tequila experience is one of the city’s largest events, held annually in late August: the annual International Mariachi and Charrería Festival. It attracts an average of 500 mariachi bands from across the world, eager to share their unique takes on the traditional Mexican genre. Recently recognized in National Geographic's "Best of the World 2025" list, the event also celebrates charrería or the Mexican national sport of rodeo. 

“Guided by the foundational principles of tradition and innovation, Guadalajara is an ever-evolving city that is proudly rooted in iconic Mexican culture,” said Gustavo Staufert, CEO of the Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau. “As we continue expanding and improving our tourism offerings, we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors in 2025 to experience our internationally recognized culinary scene, exceptional museums and galleries, and world-class events.”

In early 2025, internationally recognized singers and bands will perform across the city, bringing its world-class arenas and concert venues to life. Tickets are currently available on Ticketmaster for the following shows: 

  • Linkin Park–The band’s “From Zero World Tour” will include a stop in Guadalajara on February 3, 2025, at Estadio 3 De MarzoU.A.G.
  • The Warning–The emerging rock band featuring three sisters will perform on February 13, 2025, at Auditorio Telmex.
  • Twenty One Pilots–As part of “The Clancy World Tour,” the chart-topping group will perform at Estadio 3 De Marzo U.A.G. on February 22, 2025.
  • Rüfüs Du Sol–Known for alternative EDM, the Australian group will take the stage at Estadio 3 De Marzo U.A.G. on March 12, 2025.
  • Shakira–The internationally acclaimed, GRAMMY-winning Latin pop star will come to town for back-to-back performances at Akron Stadium on March 16 and 17, 2025.

After (or before) the shows, travelers will also love exploring one of the city's central neighborhoods, Colonial Americana, featuring numerous eateries, boutiques and galleries. Recognized in 2022 by Time Out as “the coolest neighborhood in the world,” Colonial Americana was recently designated as one of Mexico’s “Magical Neighborhoods,” a distinction given to emblematic neighborhoods across the country that reflect the spirit and essence of the city. The neighborhood is also home to El Gallo Altanero, recently named the #48 Best Bar in the World by The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Expo Guadalajara, the largest event venue in Mexico, had a great 2024, and it was designated as a host for major conferences in the coming years. In the heart of Jalisco’s capital city, the venue welcomes 2.1 million visitors annually. Expo was selected as the future host of several notable international conferences across a variety of industries, including the recently announced International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). 

This highly anticipated event will take place May 15 -19, 2028 and is expected to draw over 8,000 delegates from across the globe, including leading researchers, experts in robotics and automation and industry professionals. The successful bid for this world-class conference was spearheaded by Professor Eduardo Bayro-Corrochano, with the support of the Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau. This event marks a major achievement for Guadalajara, which is recognized as a hub for innovation and technology and often referred to as the "Mexican Silicon Valley.” 

Annually, Expo Guadalajara is also home to some of Guadalajara's largest events, including the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL, held each November). The event attracts one million attendees and is one of the world’s largest gatherings celebrating Spanish-language publishing.

For more information about Guadalajara and travel planning tips, visit www.visitagdl.com.


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