Things to do in Oaxaca this weekend
A locals-first shortlist of what's worth your time in Oaxaca this weekend — from outdoor escapes to standout food and live music.
Top spots in Oaxaca
Zócalo & Cathedral
CultureCentro
Tree-shaded main square ringed by colonnaded cafes.
Templo de Santo Domingo
CultureCentro
Gold-leafed Baroque interior next to the Cultures Museum.
Monte Albán
OutdoorsValles Centrales
Zapotec mountain-top ruins 25 min away — go at sunset.
Hierve el Agua
OutdoorsSan Lorenzo Albarradas
Mineral-petrified 'waterfalls' and infinity natural pools 90 min east.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Food & DrinkCentro
Smoke-filled meat hall + tlayudas, tejate and chocolate mills.
Mezcal Route
Food & DrinkSantiago Matatlán
Family palenques producing artisan mezcal in clay-pot stills.
Where to eat
Origen
$$$Modern Oaxacan · Centro
Rodolfo Castellanos' courtyard tasting — refined seven moles.
Casa Oaxaca
$$$Modern Oaxacan · Centro
Rooftop view of Santo Domingo + Alejandro Ruiz's signature mole negro.
Tlamanalli
$$Zapotec · Teotitlán del Valle
Abigail Mendoza's heritage Zapotec lunch — by reservation only.
Itanoní
$Heirloom corn · Reforma
Native-corn antojería — every taco built on a different masa.
Las Quince Letras
$$Traditional Oaxacan · Centro
Family-run mole negro since 1990 — go for the mole sampler.
Live & on stage
Guelaguetza
Auditorio Guelaguetza · Jul 21 & 28 · Folkloric
Día de Muertos
Citywide · Oct 31 – Nov 2 · Cultural / Free
Festival de los Tejones
Jardín Etnobotánico · Aug 8–10 · Music / Local
Noche de Rábanos
Zócalo · Dec 23 · Cultural / Free
Frequently asked
- Locals' favourites right now: Zócalo & Cathedral, Templo de Santo Domingo, Monte Albán. The full list is curated weekly and balances outdoor, food, culture and live music picks.