Mexico's second largest city and the capital of the state of Jalisco, Guadalajara gave the world tequila and the troubadour's descendant, the mariachi. Every October a series of events celebrate Jaliscan culture, including dance, music, art, sports and, most importantly, great food, with free entertainment daily in the fairgrounds of the Benito Juarez Auditorium.

Throughout the festival's month-long period there are concerts, rodeos, football matches, folk dance displays and art exhibitions scattered around the city.

The festival was started by the Jaliscan State authorities as a means of attracting visitors to explore Guadalajaran culture and has taken place every year since 1965. Make sure you catch a verbena if you can because these nightly feasts are justly famous, and don't miss out on the glut of live music. Guadalajara is well known in Mexico for its vibrant music scene, and this is the time to explore it.

Please visit the October Festival website for full details of all the events.