Local merchants welcome home the migrants back for the holidays with a parade of decorated pickup trucks, a charreada and a dance.
Next dates
December 28, 2026
The year after: December 28, 2027
These are the traditional dates. Programs are announced a few weeks before, so check with the town before you book.
Remind me before Día del Paisano in JalpanAdd to my calendar: Google Calendar Apple or Outlook (.ics)
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| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
- Fiesta days
Every fiesta in Querétaro, in your calendar: Google Calendar Apple or Outlook .ics file
Día del Paisano: what happens
- Parade of decorated pickup trucks
- Charreada
- Popular dance
Plan your visit to Jalpan
Tours in Jalpan
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Jalpan.
Tours from Xilitla
Surrealist Garden of Edward James, Castle of Health and Xilitla Nativity
★ 4.3 (10) · From US$100
How to get to Jalpan
- From Querétaro: about 3 h 5 min by car (182 km)
- Nearest airport: Querétaro (QRO), 2 h 51 min by car to Jalpan
Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.
About Jalpan
Jalpan de Serra sits in the heart of Querétaro's Sierra Gorda, a green and mountainous ecological zone. Its centerpiece is the Santiago Apóstol mission, the first of the five Franciscan missions of the Sierra Gorda that UNESCO listed as World Heritage in 2003, with a facade where Pame and Catholic imagery mix. The tree-filled plaza in front is the town's meeting place, and across the street a 16th century fort houses the Sierra Gorda history museum. Jalpan is also the usual base for visiting the other missions.
More fiestas in Jalpan
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November 1 – 2
Day of the Dead
Families decorate the graves in the cemeteries, the town raises a monumental altar and the square holds an altar contest on the night of November 2.
Day of the Dead: dates and what to see → -
January 5 – 6
Fiesta of the Santo Niño de la Mezclita
The town's biggest feast, drawing twenty thousand pilgrims from across the Sierra Gorda, with a night vigil for the Santo Niño and a bishop's Mass.
Fiesta of the Santo Niño de la Mezclita: dates and what to see → -
March 21 – 28
Holy Week Passion play
The Passion of Christ is staged during Holy Week.
Moves every year; next: March 21 – 28, 2027.
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April
Feria Regional Serrana
A fair marking the founding of the town.
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July 25
Fiesta of Santiago Apóstol
The patron feast of the Jalpan mission opens with mañanitas and brings processions, fireworks, and confirmations and first communions, after days of cultural events.
Fiesta of Santiago Apóstol: dates and what to see →
Other fiestas in December
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Feria de la Purísima Concepción
Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato · November 28 – December 8
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Patron saint fiesta charreada
Villa del Carbón, Estado de México · December 8
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Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe
El Oro, Estado de México · December 12
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Fiestas from San Juan Evangelista to Three Kings
Xochitepec, Morelos · December 27 – January 12
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Feria de la Guayaba
Calvillo, Aguascalientes · December
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Feria de Guadalupe
Guadalupe, Zacatecas · December 1 – 14