Feria del Mezcal Oaxaca 2025: Complete Guide
Quick Info: The Feria del Mezcal takes place annually in Oaxaca City during the Guelaguetza festival (mid-July). Expect 100+ mezcal producers, live music, traditional food, and thousands of visitors.
📅 When is the Feria del Mezcal 2025?
(Expected dates — final confirmation typically comes in April)
Festival Days:
- • Opening: Monday, July 21
- • Peak days: Friday-Sunday (July 25-27)
- • Closing: Sunday, July 27
Best Time to Visit:
- • Weekdays: Smaller crowds, easier to talk to producers
- • Weekend: Full energy, live music, more activities
- • Evening (6-9 PM): Best atmosphere
📌 Why these dates? The Feria del Mezcal coincides with the Guelaguetza, Oaxaca's most important cultural festival celebrating indigenous traditions. The mezcal fair is essentially a side event that has grown into a major attraction.
💵 How Much Do Tickets Cost?
| Ticket Type | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| General Entry | FREE | Access to venue, browse stalls |
| Tasting Glass | ~$5-10 USD | Official glass for tastings (reusable) |
| Individual Tastings | $1-3 per shot | 1oz pour from producer |
| Bottles (to buy) | $20-100+ | 750ml bottles, producer pricing |
💡 Budget Tip: The fair itself is free to enter. Budget $30-50 for a full evening of tastings (10-15 samples) and $50-100 if you want to buy bottles to take home. Bring cash — most producers don't accept cards.
📍 Where Is It Located?
Plaza de la Danza, Oaxaca City Center
Address: Calle Porfirio Díaz, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
Landmarks: Next to the Basilica de la Soledad, 5 blocks west of the Zócalo (main square).
How to Get There:
- • Walk: 10 minutes from Centro hotels
- • Taxi: $3-5 from anywhere in Centro
- • Uber: Available in Oaxaca
Hours:
- • Weekdays: 4 PM - 11 PM
- • Weekends: 2 PM - Midnight
- • Peak activity: 6-9 PM
🚨 Accommodation Alert: Hotels near the Zócalo fill up 2-3 months in advance during Guelaguetza week. Book early or expect to pay premium prices ($150-300/night for basic rooms).
🎉 What to Expect at the Feria
100+ Mezcal Producers
This is the largest gathering of mezcal producers in Mexico. You'll find everyone from tiny family operations (5 bottles/month) to established brands. Focus on the small producers in the back rows — they have the most interesting stories and rare bottles.
Rare Agave Varieties
This is your chance to taste wild agaves you'll never find in stores: Tobalá, Tepeztate, Mexicano, Arroqueño. Expect to pay $3-5 per taste for rare varieties (vs. $1 for common Espadín).
Live Music & Dancing
Traditional Oaxacan bands perform every evening. Expect mariachi, brass bands, and traditional folk groups. The atmosphere gets festive after 8 PM.
Food Stalls
Oaxacan street food vendors line the perimeter: tlayudas, tasajo, chapulines (grasshoppers), quesillo. Budget $5-10 for dinner. The food is excellent.
Crowds
Expect 2,000-5,000 people on peak nights (Friday-Sunday). It gets packed. Go early (5-6 PM) if you want space to talk to producers. Stay late (9-11 PM) if you want the party atmosphere.
💎 Insider Tips from Locals
1. Buy the official tasting glass
It costs $5-10 and includes your first few tastings. Plus, you keep it as a souvenir. Without the official glass, some producers won't let you taste.
2. Focus on small producers
Skip the big brands (you can buy those anywhere). Head to the back rows where you'll find mezcaleros selling 20-50 bottles from their village palenque. These are the gems.
3. Ask questions (in Spanish if possible)
Producers love talking about their craft. Ask: "¿De dónde es este mezcal?" (Where is this from?) or "¿Qué tipo de agave?" (What agave?). Even basic Spanish earns you better tastings.
4. Bring a backpack for bottles
If you're buying bottles (and you should), bring a sturdy backpack. Producers provide bubble wrap but no bags. You'll be carrying 2-5kg of glass.
5. Pace yourself
It's a marathon, not a sprint. With 100+ producers, you could easily taste 30-40 mezcals in one night. Sip, don't gulp. Use the dump bucket. Drink water.
6. Go on a weeknight if possible
Monday-Thursday are far less crowded. You'll have actual conversations with producers instead of waiting in line for tastings. Weekends are fun but chaotic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring bottles back to the US/Canada/Europe?
Yes! You can bring 1 liter duty-free (US) or 2 liters (Canada). Pack bottles in checked luggage with bubble wrap. Most producers provide wrapping. Declare it at customs.
Is it safe to attend?
Very safe. It's a family-friendly event with heavy security. Normal precautions apply: watch your belongings, don't get blackout drunk, use official taxis.
What if I don't speak Spanish?
You'll be fine. Many producers speak basic English, and pointing works. Download Google Translate. The mezcal does most of the communicating.
Should I book a tour to the Feria?
Not necessary. The venue is in the city center and easy to reach on your own. Save the tour budget for distillery visits earlier in your trip.
Can't Make It to the Feria?
Experience authentic mezcal production year-round with a distillery tour. Visit real palenques and taste rare varieties with expert guides.
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