10th Xcaret Festival of Life & Death Traditions, Xcaret, October 30, 31, November 1 & 2
Hosted by Xcaret Park, the 10th Festival of Life and Death Traditions showcases one of Mexico’s richest and most colorful customs, the Day of the Dead or Día de Muertos, which takes place on November 1 and 2. At this time of year, Mexicans believe that the souls of the departed are permitted to return to the world of the living for a short time and they welcome their loved ones back with altars laden with flowers, food, treasured possessions and other offerings, and with candlelit vigils, masses and serenades.
The Festival program features processions, altars, traditional cuisine, art exhibits, music, dance, theater, children’s events and a visit to the colorful Mexican cemetery. The 2015 event will have the participation of Mayan communities from Quintana Roo and Yucatan, several award-winning groups of musicians from guest country Colombia and a gala concert by popular Mexican singer songwriter Julieta Venegas.
OHL Classic at Mayakoba PGA Golf Tournament, November 9-15
Some of the world’s top golfers, including legendary PGA champions and up and coming players will be gathering in the Riviera Maya this November for the OHL Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club in Mayakoba.
Caribbean Culture Festival, November 11-16, Cancun, Chetumal, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen
The Caribbean Culture Festival is set to take place November 11-16 in multiple venues throughout the state. Cuba is the guest nation and 15 countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America have already confirmed their participation, including Jamaica, Panama, Costa Rica Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Venezuela. Events will include concerts, dance events, theater, film, art exhibitions and academic seminars on Caribbean history and culture.
Xel-Ha Triathlon, November 14-15
Professional and amateur triathletes will be participating in the Xel-Ha Triathlon this November. The Olympic event takes place on Saturday 14 and attracts the finest triathletes in Mexico. The scheduled Sunday activities are a Sprint Triathlon, a Children’s event and a Beginners Only Triathlon.
This is the second year that Xel-Há Park has been selected by the Mexican Triathlon Federation as the venue for the National Triathlon Championship 2015.
For more information visit www.triatlonxelha.com
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Playa del Carmen, November 26, 27 & 28
The line up for the 2015 Riviera Maya Jazz Festival includes Gino Vanelli in his second appearance at the event, Dweezil Zappa, son of the legendary Frank Zappa, the Zawinul Legacy Band founded by a former member of Weather Report, Dirty Loops and Mexican band Resorte, among others.
Danxica International Dance and Arts Festival, Cancun, December 2-6
Dance groups from the state, other parts of Mexico and abroad gather in Cancun for the Danxica Festival.
Cozumel Scuba Fest, Cozumel, December 8-13
For the fourth year running the island of Cozumel will be welcoming divers of all levels in December for the Cozumel Scuba Fest. Advanced divers with Advanced Open water certification will be able to follow a route comprising nine dives that will take them to reefs to the north of Cozumel, the wreck of the Xicotencatl, a ship sunk in 1999, and challenging southern reefs such as Palancar Caves, the Devil’s Throat and Maracaibo.
The JM Cousteau Route takes in some of the reefs made famous by Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s and particular favorites of his son Jean-Michel Cousteau.
On the Yucatan Peninsula Diving Route advanced divers will venture into Xibalba, the mysterious underworld of the Maya and explore sacred caves, cenotes and a labyrinth of hidden waterways hollowed out of the limestone over millions of years. The route will take them to the Riviera Maya, site of the world’s longest underground rivers discovered to date, Valladolid to explore the cenotes of the eastern Yucatan and to Merida.
Jean-Michel Cousteau and oceanographer Dr. Silvia Earle will be attending the 2015 Cozumel Scuba Fest.
