Tulum’s event calendar blends traditional Mexican celebrations with the international wellness and electronic music scene that defines the beach zone. Unlike Cancun’s mega-events, Tulum’s festivals are smaller, often centered on specific hotels or venues. The season runs roughly November through May, with the summer months relatively quiet on the events front.
Tulum Events and Festivals Calendar
Zamna Festival
Late December through mid-January. Zamna is Tulum’s biggest electronic music event, held at a jungle venue built around a cenote 5 km from the beach zone. The festival runs multiple events over 2 to 3 weeks with international DJ lineups focused on deep house, techno, and melodic electronic music. The cenote venue holds 3,000 to 5,000 people per event.
Individual event tickets range 800-2,500 MXN ($45-$140). Multi-event passes are sold through the Zamna website. Events run from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The venue’s cenote setting with hanging vines and jungle lighting creates a distinctive atmosphere. Transport from Tulum Pueblo costs 300-500 MXN by taxi. Book accommodation months ahead as this period coincides with Christmas and New Year peak season. Past headliners include Adriatique, Keinemusik, and Black Coffee.
Art With Me Festival
Late April to early May, typically spanning 5 days across multiple venues including Papaya Playa Project, Holistika Hotel, and beachfront locations. The festival combines art installations, live music, wellness workshops, and culinary events. Each “With Me” pillar (Dance With Me, Eat With Me, Care With Me, etc.) operates at a different venue.
Workshops include yoga, breathwork, temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremonies, and sound healing. Art installations are spread across venues and some remain for weeks after the festival. Tickets range from 1,500 MXN ($85) for a day pass to 6,000 MXN ($340) for a full festival pass. The festival has grown significantly since starting in 2018 and now draws 10,000+ attendees. Book hotels by February for the festival period.
DÃa de Muertos (Day of the Dead)
November 1 and 2. Tulum’s Day of the Dead celebrations are smaller and more locally focused than in Oaxaca or Mexico City but have grown with the expat and tourism community. The main public altar (ofrenda) is set up in the town square (Parque Dos Aguas) with marigold flowers, candles, and photos of deceased community members.
Local families visit the cemetery on the north side of town to decorate graves. Some beach clubs and hotels host their own altar displays and themed dinners. Catrina face painting is available in the town center for 200-400 MXN. The celebration is more authentic in Tulum Pueblo than in the beach zone. November 1 (DÃa de los Inocentes) honors deceased children, November 2 (DÃa de los Muertos) honors adults.
Tulum Food, Spirits and Wine Festival
Usually held in May over a weekend at various beach zone restaurants and hotels. The festival highlights Yucatán cuisine with guest chefs from Mexico and internationally. Events include tasting dinners (800-2,000 MXN per dinner), mezcal and tequila masterclasses, cooking demonstrations
beachfront parties. Participating venues have included Hartwood, ARCA, and Nu Tulum. The festival is smaller and more intimate than similar events in Cancun or Los Cabos. Tickets are sold per event rather than as a festival pass. Reservations open in March.
Carnaval Tulum
The week before Ash Wednesday (February or March). Tulum’s Carnaval is a modest local celebration compared to Cozumel or Mérida. A small parade runs along the main avenue in Tulum Pueblo with costumed dancers, floats
live music. The event is family-oriented with food stalls selling marquesitas (crispy crepes), elotes (corn), and tacos. The parade starts around 6:00 PM and runs for 2 to 3 hours. The date shifts annually based on the Catholic calendar. The beach zone does not participate, this is purely a town event.
Wellness Retreat Season
November through April. While not a single event, Tulum’s peak season for yoga retreats, meditation workshops, and holistic healing programs runs through the dry months. Venues like Holistika Hotel, Sanará, and Yäan Wellness host multi-day retreats with visiting teachers.
Individual workshops and classes are open to drop-ins for 200-500 MXN per session. Temazcal ceremonies (traditional sweat lodge) run weekly at several locations for 500-800 MXN. The full moon is the most popular temazcal night. Book retreats 2 to 3 months ahead for January through March.
