The Zacatecas Cultural Festival, taking place from March 28 to April 11, 2026, will celebrate its 40th anniversary. With over 400 activities involving more than 2,000 creators and artists from 20 countries, the event will reaffirm that culture is a cornerstone for building peace, development, and social well-being. 70% of the festival's scenic programming features talent from Zacatecas, emphasizing the community-oriented nature of this celebration. In this state, culture is considered a driver of well-being, capable of generating economic growth, tourism, employment, and community pride, while strengthening identity and projecting Zacatecas nationally and internationally.
The festival began in 1987, utilizing public spaces for some activities related to Holy Week. This edition will also extend to municipalities such as Miguel Auza, Vetagrande, and Ojocaliente. Through more than 400 activities scheduled over 15 days, Zacatecas confirms that culture is one of the most solid pillars for building peace, development, and social well-being because culture builds progress.
On this same stage, forums such as "Ciudad en Escena," "Orígenes," and "Resonancias" will take place, featuring local, national, and international musical talents. The "Plazuela Goitia" will host a forum for children with oral storytelling and music, with the presence of Laura Trotes, Elba Rodríguez, Chamacos al Aire, Luis Delgadillo and the Keliguanes, The Jarocha Lottery by Alec Dempster, Los Patita de Perro, Arturo Campos, Colectiva Flores del Desierto, Elsa Guízar, Legión Cuentera, Teatro Boel, Tlacuachachá, Myrna Landeros, and Paola Rincón.
The IMSS Theater will be the venue for performances by the El Mezquital Company, Alquimia Teatral, Dementenmente Teatro, the Zacatecas Folkloric Ballet, La Corte de los Milagros, Mezquite Teatro Colectivo, the Autonomous University of Zacatecas Performing Arts Company, otredad Colectivo Teatro, the La Caja Theater Group, and Producciones Espiral. The Fernando Calderón Theater will host the Fourth International Piano Cycle.
The Zacatecas Cineteca will offer a film program for children and the 78th International Exhibition of the National Cineteca, as well as the "Zacatecas on Screen" and "Impulse to Mexican Short Film" cycles. Twenty-five exhibitions have also been scheduled in museums and galleries, including three national shows: "Limbo," "Zona de Sombras" by Sofía Crimen, at the Francisco Goitia Museum; "Itinerarios de la Memoria" by Fabiola Tanus, and "Todo es Sugerente" by Lilia Carrillo, at the Manuel Felguérez Abstract Art Museum.
In this 40th-anniversary edition, two new spaces will open: The Alameda will be dedicated to a forum for alternative music, while Plazuela Genaro Codina will be the site for popular music. This is a space where art, social interaction, and community participation confirm that tranquility is the foundation of development and that progress is achieved when the population advances together, with confidence and hope for the future, in a World Heritage city that assumes itself as a world stage.
Other performances will also be held at the auditorium of the Manuel Felguérez Abstract Art Museum, featuring a concert music cycle and the International Guitar Cycle. This is the most ambitious edition in the history of this celebration, with an expected attendance of over 300,000 people across various events.
As always, the Plaza de Armas will be the heart of the celebration. From its stage, international acts such as Revisiting Creedence, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Auténticos Decadentes, Pablo Alborán, Rhapsody of Fire, Vivaldianno Shining Venice, Alondra de la Parra and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Fonseca, Napoleón & Mocedades, Marc Martel (One Vision of Queen), Salif Keita, and Billy Idol will perform.
At the World Music Forum in "Plazuela Miguel Auza," national and foreign groups represented by Nina Galindo, Recoveco, Conjunto Río Grande, The Latin Divos (Cuba/Mexico), Real de Catorce, Mehdi Moshtagh (Mexico/Iran), Sonido Gallo Negro, Sureda (Belgium/France/Mexico), Comisario Pantera, Valentina Álvarez and Trío Mal Arrastre (Uruguay/Mexico), Uli Costa (Brazil), Juan Alzate, Pascuala Ilabaca and Gauna (Chile), and La Barranca will perform.
Subsequently, in 1990, it took on some cultural commitments, and in 1994, it was established as a cultural festival. The academic program includes 20 activities among book presentations, forums, and workshops. Framed in what is called the "Year of Progress," the government of this entity affirms that development is expressed not only in works and infrastructure but also in the possibility of coexistence, reunion, and advancing together.
