10 Things to Do in Mexico City in September

September marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Mexico City, so you'll enjoy pleasant weather to explore the Mexican capital at your leisure. You can enjoy outdoor activities, festivals, museum nights and more.

Throughout your visit you'll have the opportunity to attend the Independence Day military parade, the Pulque and Mezcal Festival, and the architectural event Mextrópoli. There are also free activities offered in the Bosque de Chapultepec, among other of the best things to do in Mexico City in September.

The Mexican nation commemorates the beginning of independence at the end of the first half of September. If your visit of at least 5 days in Mexico City coincides with this date, you will have the opportunity to join the events prepared for the annual celebration. You will feel like a local.

The celebration of this important date for Mexicans begins with the Grito de Independencia. This is a ceremony that usually takes place in the Zócalo square. There, you will find hundreds of people gathered in a very lively atmosphere with live music and fireworks, anxiously waiting to hear once again the call of freedom.

The next morning, the activities continue with the expected military parade. You will see the march of soldiers from different divisions of the national army, under the rhythm of military marches and accompanied by impressive displays of weapons. Just go to 20 de noviembre avenue, or along the streets surrounding the Zócalo to Campo Marte.

Afterwards, you can continue discovering the Mexican capital. Perhaps join one of the best bike tours in Mexico City, sample the local cuisine or learn about the country's history through dance by purchasing tickets for the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico show.

During your stay in September, you should take advantage of the last Wednesday of the month to visit any of the best museums in Mexico City. After sunset, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a series of very interesting evening activities.

You should arrive at the museum after 18:00, which is usually the closing time for this type of museum. During this day, the doors stay open until approximately 22:00 hours, offering workshops, concerts, theatre shows, film screenings and much more.

For example, if you buy tickets to the Frida Kahlo museum in Mexico City, you could take a dramatised guided tour of the entire interior of the famous Casa Azul. Finally, the experience varies monthly and depends on the museum visited, with some activities being free of charge.

Another thing to do on your trip is to try the nation's tricolour dish: chiles en nogada. This is a traditional preparation in Mexico City in summer and early autumn, so it coincides with the month of September. In addition, this dish is associated with the celebration of independence.

You will be amazed by the fusion of flavours of this gastronomic delight. You can try the original recipe, whichconsists of poblano peppers stuffed with meat, spices and fruit, bathed in nogada (cheese and walnut sauce). There are also other presentations in the form of tacos, with pink nogada, etc.

Due to the popularity of the chiles en nogada, you will have no problem to get them in restaurants, street food stalls and local markets such as La Merced. In fact, if you go on a gastronomic tour of downtown Mexico City, this dish will be one of the must-try dishes on your list of tastings.

Mexico City in September has a wide range of annual festivals, through which you can discover different aspects of the national culture. One of them is the Pulque and Mezcal Gastronomic Festival where you can satisfy your palate with delicious traditional dishes and pre-Hispanic drinks.

This event takes place during a couple of days, usually in the first week of September. You will find about 70 different pulque options: fig, pineapple, oatmeal, coconut, etc. You will also find around 150 types of mezcal in agaves, creams and cured.

In addition to pulque and mezcal, considered the traditional fermented drinks of Mexico, you will be able to try some gastronomic delights. Such is the case of tacos de pastor negro, burritos, gorditas, chilaquiles and more.

After delighting your palate with Mexican drinks and gastronomy, you can continue with the fun. Perhaps you can buy tickets to the Torre Latinoamericana Mexico City and get a 360º panoramic view of the historic centre and the surrounding area, or join a guided night tour of Mexico City, among other options.

Useful information

• Date: usually during the first week of September.
• Price: the average entrance fee is €2 per person.
• Opening hours: from 12:00 to 20:00 hours approximately.

You don't have to wait until October in Mexico City for a terrifying experience. During mid-September you can come to the Six Flags Horror Festival, where you will enjoy a series of Halloween-style attractions.

Once you arrive at the Six Flags theme park, considered one of the largest in Latin America, you'll have to keep your wits about you. There will be many monsters lurking in the shadows.

You will be able to access the terrifying attractions. Such is the case of a dungeon or a haunted roller coaster, among other games and shows. In addition, with tickets for the Six Flags theme park in Mexico City, you will also enjoy a children's area, where the little ones will have a great time.

Useful information

• Price: tickets start at 49€ per person.
• Opening hours: from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm approximately.

If you are interested in the world of plants and you are in Mexico City in mid-September, you should know that the Plant Fest takes place periodically. This bazaar aims to promote national floriculture. You will enjoy interesting exhibitions and you can support this initiative with more than 10 years of tradition by taking a plant home.

The festival is usually held at the Bazar Fusión, very close to the Angel of Independence. There, you will see more than 400 types of plants: succulents, carnivorous plants, orchids, flowers, fruit trees, among others. All of them grown by national producers from Puebla, Xochimilco and Morelos.

At the Plant Fest you will find everything you need to take care of your plants. For example, fertiliser, gardening tools, handmade pots with original designs, etc. You will also be able to get some advice and recommendations on how to take care of the species you have acquired.

Useful information

• Date: You can enjoy this festival in mid-September. The bazaar usually takes place in February, May and even in November, so keep an eye out for new dates.
• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: from 11:00 to 19:00.

If you are interested in architecture, then during your 3-day trip to Mexico City or longer, you should attend the architectural event Mextrópoli. During the three days of the last week of September you will enjoy exhibitions and conferences, which will allow you to discover a different vision of the city.

This event has been taking place since 2013 in the city and brings together around 80 thousand participants: architecture students, professionals, creatives, artists, tourists, among others. You can see exhibitions with large installations and attend a series of workshops. All of this is free of charge.

All you have to do is go to the places in the city designated as the venue for this architectural event, some of them being the following:

• The Museum of Popular Art, with works of art that manifest Mexican folklore and tradition.
• The Centro Cultural España; a space in charge of imparting art and culture.
• The Museo Experimental el Eco, with interesting exhibitions of contemporary art.
• The Plaza Tolsá, with the equestrian statue of King Carlos IV, located in the limits of the historic centre.

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy some master lectures. These are usually held at the Palacio de Bellas Artes and, unlike the other activities, participation must be booked in advance.

The good weather in September is ideal for outdoor activities, so you could incorporate the Festival Medieval del Asado into your itinerary for at least 4 days in Mexico City. This is an annual event that brings together the best national chefs, grillers and cooks, experts in the preparation of meats.

In this festival you will have the opportunity to taste delicious cuts of meat. All of them prepared before your eyes. You will also find a variety of Mexican snacks such as garnachas (fried corn tortillas accompanied by meat, sauce, cheese...), some sandwiches, desserts and much more.

Without a doubt, this is an unmissable destination if you want to go on one of the best gastronomic tours in Mexico City and, at the same time, enjoy a lively atmosphere with complementary activities. You will live a fun medieval experience.

All you have to do is go on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month of September to the San Juan de Aragón Forest, where the festival is usually held, and you will be able to listen to bagpipe music, see medieval dances and thematic shows. You will also have the opportunity to take part in the speed eating or medieval costume contest.

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: from 12:00 to 22:00.

If during your trip in September you want to explore the surroundings of the city and, at the same time, enjoy an event with more than 40 years of tradition, then you should make a trip to San Pedro Atocpan. This town is approximately 90 minutes away by car. The National Mole Fair is held there every year .

This is an event where you can get to know a very important part of the national gastronomic culture. Mole is an emblematic preparation that has accompanied Mexicans since pre-Hispanic times.

You will be able to try this exotic delicacy made up of up to four types of chilli: chipotle, ancho, pasilla and mulato. Also, a series of spices such as cloves, onion, cocoa, parsley, garlic, pepper, walnuts, etc. Without a doubt, you will delight your taste buds.

In this festival, considered one of the best activities in Mexico City, you will not only eat different types of mole and support local producers by purchasing their products, but you will also enjoy cultural and musical shows.

Useful information

• Date: you can attend the National Mole Fair from the last week of September until mid-October.
• Price: admission costs approximately €1 per person.
• Opening hours: from 10:00 to 23:00.

The Bosque de Chapultepec in Mexico City has free activities all year round, and September is no exception. During your stay, take a look at the great cultural and recreational offer that takes place in this natural lung.

You will be amazed by the natural beauty of this place with lush green areas and the huge blue water lake, where you can take a boat ride. You will also find some of the main cultural and educational centres of Mexico: the National School of Folkloric Dance, the Botanical Garden, the National Auditorium, among others.

When you arrive and walk around this natural lung, you will find a series of things to see and do in its different sections. For example, you can see some of the exhibitions in the photographic galleries, join a watercolour class, enjoy a concert or a theatre show.

You can also take a guided tour of the National Museum of History and Anthropology. And, if you wish, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a picnic after sunset under Mexico City's beautiful starry night sky.

Temperatures in Mexico City in September usually range from a high of around 22ºC to a low of around 12ºC. On a daily basis, the temperature varies by at least 3ºC. However, during this month you will rarely see the thermometer exceed 25ºC or go below 9ºC.

In addition, in September the Mexican city records an average of up to 22 days of rain, corresponding to a total of 420 millimetres. The average humidity is 72% and winds reach an average of 7 kilometres per hour.

September marks the beginning of the low season in Mexico. Therefore, prices for accommodation, flights and restaurants are usually lower than in Mexico City in August.

Without a doubt, prices in September are really attractive, and you can make significant savings on your budget. You'll find offers on tourist activities and you can even get free entry to some annual festivals.