🎪 Fiestas del Sol Mexicali 2026Half a Century of Tradition
17 days of music, fun and tradition · September 26 to October 12, 2026
📅 Dates 2026
17 consecutive days · Palenque starts Sep 25
🎭 3 Main Stages
🎤 Palenque Lineup 2026
Announced! Banda MS, Grupo Firme, Julión Álvarez and more
See dates and artists ↓
⏳ Countdown
* Estimated opening date
📱 Follow for Updates
🏆 The 50th Edition: Half a Century of Tradition
In 2026, Fiestas del Sol celebrates its 50th anniversary: five decades as the most important event in the cultural calendar of Mexicali and Baja California.
From 1976 to today
Sept 26 - Oct 12, 2026
Each day of the fair
✨ What makes this edition special?
- Historic commemoration: the Trust promised since the 49th edition that the 50th anniversary celebration would be the biggest in the history of the event.
- New pavilions: expansion of cultural and commercial spaces for greater citizen participation.
- Expanded lineup: all three stages promise exceptional lineups to commemorate the anniversary.
- Legacy recognition: tributes to the generations of Mexicalenses who have made the fair part of their identity.
📚 History of Fiestas del Sol
From an agricultural fair in 1976 to the most important celebration in northwestern Mexico.
Founding
Mayor Armando Gallego Moreno and Governor Milton Castellanos Everardo create Fiestas del Sol on Hohenberg land, next to the Civic Center. First queen: Patricia Monge Rangel.
Consolidation
The fair moves to Parque Vicente Guerrero. The date is changed from May to late summer due to strong winds. Over 120,000 paid attendees are recorded.
Move to FEX
Fiestas del Sol moves to its current home: the FEX Convention, Events and Exhibitions Center in the Río Nuevo area, a venue purpose-built for the event.
49th Edition
The edition prior to the great anniversary lays the groundwork with new pavilions and increased citizen participation, in preparation for the 50-year celebration.
50th Anniversary Edition
The historic edition celebrating half a century of the most important fair in northwestern Mexico. A special celebration for Mexicali and all of Baja California.
Fun fact: in its earliest editions, Fiestas del Sol was held in May, but the strong winds typical of that season in Mexicali forced the move to late September. The original venue was near the Civic Center; it then moved to Parque Vicente Guerrero (1976-2000s) and finally to the current FEX Convention Center in the Río Nuevo area.
ℹ️ What Are Fiestas del Sol?
The Northwest Fair
Fiestas del Sol is the most important regional fair in northwestern Mexico, held annually in Mexicali during September and October.
- ☀️ 50 years of tradition (since 1976)
- 🎵 3 stages with live music
- 🎡 Amusement rides for the whole family
- 🍽️ Regional and national gastronomy
- 🐄 Traditional livestock exhibition
- 👨👩👧👦 Events for all ages
Dates and Hours
📅 2026 EDITION
September 26 to October 12
17 consecutive days · The palenque kicks off September 25
🕐 TYPICAL HOURS
Weekdays: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Weekends: 2:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Palenque: 10:00 PM
Isla de las Estrellas: 8:00 PM
Location
🏟️ FEX CONVENTION CENTER
Calle Río Nuevo #955
Col. Río Nuevo, ZIP 21100
Mexicali, Baja California
📞 FEX CONTACT
Office: (686) 557-1085
WhatsApp: (686) 605-8409
🤠 Palenque Lineup 2026
11 nights at the FEX Palenque, September 25 to October 11. Tickets on sale starting July 14, 2026, 11:00 am on Ticketnauta and at the Hotel Araiza box office (Blvd. Benito Juárez 2220, Mexicali).
| Date | Artist |
|---|---|
| Fri, Sep 25 | Los Tucanes de Tijuana |
| Sat, Sep 26 | Herencia de Grandes |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Banda MS |
| Thu, Oct 1 | El Coyote y Pancho Barraza |
| Fri, Oct 2 | Grupo Firme |
| Sat, Oct 3 | 🎁 Surprise artist (TBA) |
| Sun, Oct 4 | Alta Consigna |
| Thu, Oct 8 | Remmy Valenzuela |
| Fri, Oct 9 | Julión Álvarez |
| Sat, Oct 10 | Julión Álvarez |
| Sun, Oct 11 | Jorge Medina y Josi Cuen |
Palenque tickets are separate from fair admission — sales opened July 14 on Ticketnauta and at the Hotel Araiza box office. One "surprise artist" date (October 3) remains to be revealed on the fair's official social channels; October 10 turned out to be Julión Álvarez's second night. Palenque shows typically start at 10:00 PM. Seating zones, parking and venue details in our complete Mexicali Palenque guide.
🌟 Isla de las Estrellas: lineup not announced yet
Isla concerts are free with your general fair admission, every night. The fair hasn't announced the 2026 lineup yet — we'll add it here as soon as it's official. For reference, the 2025 edition featured Bronco, Molotov, Jesse & Joy and Santa Fe Klan on this stage.
Palenque lineup verified July 11, 2026 against public event sources. Illustrative, digitally generated image.
🎭 The 3 Main Stages
PALENQUE
VIP Concerts
The main stage with the biggest stars of regional Mexican music. Traditional covered palenque-style venue with intimate atmosphere.
- National and international caliber artists
- Separate ticket ($756 - $5,000+ MXN)
- Zones: General, Preferred, VIP, Ringside
- Showtime: typically 10:00 PM
- Capacity: ~5,000 people
ISLA DE LAS ESTRELLAS
Free Shows
Also known as Teatro del Pueblo. Concerts included with general admission. 17 consecutive nights of music for the whole family.
- FREE with general fair admission
- National and regional artists
- VIP zone available ($100-$300 extra)
- Showtime: 8:00 PM every night
- For the whole family
TEMPLO MAYOR
Club & Alternative
Club-style venue with themed nights and alternative, rock, electronic and urban concerts.
- Concept: Nightclub/disco style
- Themed events by day
- Alternative concerts ($200-$500)
- Adults 18+ only
- Showtime: 9:00 PM onwards
🎡 Attractions and Activities
Amusement Rides
Complete amusement park with ferris wheel, family roller coaster, haunted house and children's area.
- •Panoramic ferris wheel
- •Family roller coaster
- •Haunted house
- •Classic carousels
- •Extreme rides
- •Specialized children's area
Food Court
Gastronomic pavilion with Mexican street food, Baja California-style seafood and local craft beer.
- •Traditional Mexican street food
- •Baja California-style seafood
- •Local craft beer
- •International food
- •Typical Mexican sweets
- •Corn, garnachas, tacos
Cultural Pavilions
Permanent exhibitions featuring northern traditions, pre-Hispanic culture and regional crafts.
- •Hacienda del Norte
- •Aztlán (pre-Hispanic culture)
- •Asphalt City (urban sports)
- •Regional crafts
- •Industrial and commercial expo
- •Invited countries pavilion
Livestock Exhibition
Rural tradition with cattle exhibition, equestrian contests and charrería.
- •Cattle exhibition
- •Equestrian contests
- •Charrería and rodeo
- •Dog show
- •Poultry
- •Gastronomic contests
🎫 Tickets and Estimated Prices
💚 General Admission
- ✅ Access to all pavilions
- ✅ Isla de las Estrellas (free)
- ✅ Cultural exhibitions
- ✅ Food court area
🎡 Amusement Rides
- ✅ Unlimited rides all day
- ✅ Includes children\'s area
- ✅ Buy inside the fair
🤠 Palenque Tickets
- 🌐 Ticketnauta.com
- 🏨 Hotel Araiza Mexicali
- 🎪 FEX box office
⚡ Templo Mayor
- 🎵 Alternative concerts
- 🎪 Themed nights
- 🔞 Adults 18+ only
- 🎪 FEX box office
🌟 VIP Isla de las Estrellas
- ✅ Preferred zone near stage
- ✅ Waiter service
- ✅ No queues
👶 Children under 12
- ✅ Discounted admission
- ✅ Access to all areas
- ✅ Very young children free
💡 Money-Saving Tip
Official prices and promotions are announced weeks before the fair. Follow the official channels to learn about presales, discounts and free admission days (typically one per week).
💡 Tips for Your Visit
For Families
- 👶 Specialized children\'s area
- 🎠 Rides for all ages
- 🎪 Clown and magic shows
- 🎨 Educational workshops
- 🚻 Family restrooms available
- 🍼 Nursing area
Parking
- 🚗 Ample parking at FEX
- ⏰ Early arrival recommended on weekends
- 🚌 Public transportation available
- 🚕 Uber/Taxi to main entrance
- 💡 Consider arriving before 6 PM
📚 Fiestas del Sol: Mexicali Tradition
☀️ Why "Fiestas del Sol"?
- • Mexicali: "City of the Desert Sun"
- • Tradition: 50 years celebrating
- • Season: Aligns with pleasant autumn weather
- • Importance: Largest regional fair
- • Impact: Economic and cultural engine
📈 Evolution
- • Beginning (1976): agricultural and livestock fair
- • Evolution: cultural and entertainment event
- • Today: attracts visitors from across the northwest
- • Artists: of national and international caliber
- • 2026: 50th anniversary edition
🎭 Cultural Impact
- • Generations of Mexicali families
- • Community gathering point
- • Preservation of regional traditions
- • Promotion of local artists
- • Cultural identity of the city
Get Ready for the 50th Anniversary!
17 days of history, music and tradition. A unique edition you will only experience once in the history of Fiestas del Sol.