What makes Fiestas del Sol 2026 special?

Fiestas del Sol 2026 celebrates its historic 50th anniversary edition. Since its founding in 1976 by Mayor Armando Gallego Moreno, the event has established itself as the most important regional fair in northwestern Mexico. The 50-year edition promises to be the biggest and most special in the history of the event.

When is Fiestas del Sol 2026?

Fiestas del Sol 2026 runs from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the FEX fairgrounds in Mexicali: 17 days of fair. The palenque and the Isla de las Estrellas open on Friday the 25th; the official inauguration is Saturday the 26th. It is the 50th anniversary edition.

How much does admission cost?

General admission is approximately $70-80 MXN for adults and $35-40 MXN for children under 12. This admission includes access to pavilions, rides (without wristband), the food court, and free concerts at Isla de las Estrellas. There are typically days with free admission. Exact prices are confirmed each year.

What stages are at Fiestas del Sol?

Fiestas del Sol has 3 main stages: the Palenque (VIP concerts with separate ticket, national caliber artists), Isla de las Estrellas also known as Teatro del Pueblo (free shows with general admission, 17 consecutive nights), and Templo Mayor (nightclub concept with alternative and themed events, adults 18+ only).

Where to buy Palenque tickets?

Palenque tickets go on sale July 14, 2026 at 11:00 am on Ticketnauta.com and at the Hotel Araiza Mexicali box office (Blvd. Benito Juárez 2220); during the fair also at the FEX box office. For Templo Mayor, tickets are available at the FEX box office. Buying in advance is recommended as headline artists sell out quickly, especially in the anniversary edition.

Which artists are playing the Fiestas del Sol 2026 palenque?

The 2026 palenque lineup is official: Los Tucanes de Tijuana (Sep 25), Herencia de Grandes (Sep 26), Banda MS (Sep 27), El Coyote y Pancho Barraza (Oct 1), Grupo Firme (Oct 2), Alta Consigna (Oct 4), Remmy Valenzuela (Oct 8), Julión Álvarez (Oct 9 and 10, two nights) and Jorge Medina y Josi Cuen (Oct 11), plus one surprise-artist date on October 3 to be revealed on the fair’s official social channels.

Where is the FEX Convention Center located?

The FEX Convention, Events and Exhibitions Center is located at Calle Río Nuevo #955, Colonia Río Nuevo, ZIP 21100, in Mexicali, Baja California. It has ample parking. Office phone: (686) 557-1085. WhatsApp: (686) 605-8409.

What are the hours of Fiestas del Sol?

Typical hours: weekdays from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, weekends from 2:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The Palenque starts shows around 10:00 PM, Isla de las Estrellas at 8:00 PM, and Templo Mayor from 9:00 PM. Official hours are confirmed each season.

How many years does Fiestas del Sol celebrate in 2026?

Fiestas del Sol turns 50 in 2026. The first edition was held in 1976 on Hohenberg land next to the Civic Center, under the administration of Mayor Armando Gallego Moreno and Governor Milton Castellanos Everardo. This is the historic 50th edition.

Are there discounts or free admission days?

Yes. Traditionally Fiestas del Sol offers days with free admission or special discounts for students, seniors, and inauguration promotions. Free days for 2026 are announced on official social media weeks before the event. In 2025, free admission was offered on September 29 and October 6.

Sinaloan banda instruments in a packed palenque with red and gold lighting

Palenque · Fiestas del Sol 2026 · 50th edition

Julión Álvarez at the Palenque, Fiestas del Sol 2026

The "King of Ticket Sales" arrives in the final stretch of the 50th-anniversary fair — for two nights.

Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2026 Palenque del FEX, Mexicali Sinaloan banda From $700 MXN

Date

Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2026

Tickets list 7:00 PM; the show usually starts later

Venue

Palenque, FEX fairgrounds

Calle Río Nuevo #955, Mexicali

Tickets

On sale since July 14, 2026, 11:00 am

Ticketnauta

and Hotel Araiza box offices (Blvd. Benito Juárez 2220)

🎟️ Ticket prices for Julión Álvarez

By seating zone, on Ticketnauta. Verified September 12, 2026 (same table for both nights).

Zone	Ticket	Service fee	Card charge	Total online
VIP	$4,500	$705	$260.25	$5,465.25
Preferente 1	$3,500	$555	$202.75	$4,257.75
Preferente 2	$2,500	$405	$145.25	$3,050.25
General	$700	$135	$41.75	$876.75

All prices are in Mexican pesos (MXN), not US dollars. «Total online» is what Ticketnauta charges to a card (ticket + service fee + transaction charge); with PayPal or other methods the transaction charge may differ. At the box office (Hotel Araiza) you pay the ticket price. Prices are set by the ticketing company and may change.

🎤 What to expect from the show

Julión Álvarez is called "El Rey de la Taquilla" — the King of Ticket Sales — for a simple reason: for years he has been among the artists who sell the most tickets anywhere in Mexico, in any genre. The Chiapas-born singer, who fronted a then-young Banda MS before going solo, built his own style with his Norteño Banda: banda with a norteño flavor, and one of the best-loved voices in the country.

"Terrenal", "Afuera Está Lloviendo", "El Amor de Su Vida", "Ojos Verdes" — his hit list is a national karaoke, and his palenques are legendary: long shows with no rigid script, where Julión takes requests from the crowd into the early hours.

Demand lived up to the nickname: the original Friday the 9th was joined by a second night on Saturday, October 10, taking one of the lineup’s reserved slots. Two nights in a row in the fair’s final stretch, a week after Grupo Firme: the strongest closing of the 50th anniversary. Tickets for both nights are on sale at Ticketnauta — buy early.

The songs everyone waits for

🎵 Terrenal🎵 Afuera Está Lloviendo🎵 El Amor de Su Vida🎵 Ojos Verdes🎵 Y Me Da Vergüenza

💡 Tips for your palenque night

The ring is 360°: in a palenque there is no «behind the stage» — every zone has a good view, and ringside puts you a few feet from the artist.
Get there early: FEX parking fills up on big nights, and the palenque entrance line is separate from the fair’s. Before 8 PM you are comfortable.
Coming from Calexico or the Imperial Valley? Check live border wait times in our Mexicali border crossings guide — the West (downtown) crossing is the only one open 24 hours for the drive back.
Buy through official channels: Ticketnauta and the Hotel Araiza box offices. Avoid resale — counterfeit tickets circulate for sold-out dates.

Frequently asked questions

How much are tickets for Julión Álvarez at the palenque?

As of September 12, 2026, on Ticketnauta: VIP $4,500, Preferente 1 $3,500, Preferente 2 $2,500, General $700 (box-office price, in Mexican pesos). Buying online with a card adds a service fee and a transaction charge: General comes to $876.75. There are also box offices at the Hotel Araiza Mexicali (Blvd. Benito Juárez 2220).

What day does Julión Álvarez play at Fiestas del Sol 2026?

On Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Palenque of the FEX fairgrounds in Mexicali (Calle Río Nuevo #955). Tickets on Ticketnauta list 7:00 PM; at a palenque the headliner usually goes on later, so confirm show time with the organizer.

Does the palenque ticket include admission to the fair?

The palenque ticket is separate from general fair admission and is bought on its own. Check the conditions on your ticket at Ticketnauta: in past editions the palenque had its own entrance to the grounds.

Is there a minimum age to enter the palenque?

Palenques are usually 18-and-over events, since alcohol is served. The exact restriction for each date is set by the organizer and appears in the ticket conditions — check it before buying if you plan to bring minors.

Where do I park for the FEX palenque?

The FEX has ample parking, but it fills up on big palenque nights: arrive early (before 8 PM) or take a rideshare or taxi to the main entrance at Calle Río Nuevo #955. On weekends the Río Nuevo area gets heavy fair traffic.

I’m coming from Calexico or the Imperial Valley — what should I know?

The palenque is about a 10-minute drive from the downtown (West) port of entry, which is the only crossing open 24 hours for the drive back. Check live border wait times before you head home, and keep in mind that ticket prices are in Mexican pesos.

Previous date · Thu, Oct 8

Remmy Valenzuela

Next date · Sun, Oct 11

Jorge Medina y Josi Cuen

Full lineup, seating zones and parking in the Fiestas del Sol 2026 guide. Prefer Spanish? Read this page in español.

Illustrative image, digitally generated (palenque atmosphere, not a photograph of the artist).

Julión Álvarez · Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2026

Tickets have been on sale since July 14, 2026, 11:00 am — the big 50th-anniversary nights sell out fast.

Buy on Ticketnauta