Why You Should Visit Mexico City's Festival of the Historic Center

Image: Zocalo Square is at the heart of the Historic Center in Mexico City. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / Torresigner)
Image: Zocalo Square is at the heart of the Historic Center in Mexico City. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / Torresigner)
Alex Temblador
by Alex Temblador
Last updated: 4:43 PM ET, Sat March 23, 2019

Centro Historico or the Historic Center of Mexico City is the heartbeat of the city and has been attracting people for centuries with festivals, events and entertainment. At the end of March, Mexico City will be celebrating this historic area with the Festival of the Historic Center, and it's sure to be a memorable experience.

Celebrated since 1985, the Festival of the Historic Center will feature diverse programming of about 100 artistic and cultural events over two weeks.

From March 28-April 14, the festival will feature dance performances, classical music, jazz, choral groups, book presentations, children's activities and guided visits throughout 10 venues in the historic center.

The festival will begin on March 28 at 8 p.m. at the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra in Santo Domingo on the 500th anniversary of the founding of Veracruz. Throughout the festival, visitors have the opportunity to see a recital by Korean pianist Yeol Eum Son, a concert by flamenco singer Miguel Poveda and a concert by the Choir of Clare College in Cambridge at the Old Collee of San Ildefonso.

Families can enjoy a concert of The Ugly Ducking and other fantasies with narration by Mario Ivan Martinez, while people of all ages can experience guided tours of the Historic Center. The first tour will begin in the Plaza de Santo Domingo on March 31 at 10 a.m. and discuss the Jews in New Spain and the Inquisition. The second tour will be on April 7 at 1:30 a.m. and will address Jewish history and traditions in Mexico City at the Justo Sierra Synagogue.

If you're looking for a place to stay during the Festival of the Historic Center, you may want to consider Galeria Plaza Reforma. While not located in the historic center, it'll offer travelers a quieter stay away from the noisy city center, while still being within easy access to all of the festival's events.

With renovated rooms and a chic rooftop with a pool, Galeria Plaza Reforma allows for a classy stay as travelers explore and enjoy the Festival of the Historic Center.


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Alex Temblador

Alex Temblador

Alex Temblador is an award-winning travel writer and the award-winning author of Secrets of the Casa Rosada, Half Outlaw, andWriting An Identity Not Your Own. This Mixed Latine writer is based in Dallas, Texas, and has had publications in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, Outside, among many others. She's best known for her articles on diversity, inclusion, and equity in travel. You can reach her at [email protected].

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