The Best Mexican Food Festivals and Events in the UK (2026)

A Growing Calendar of Mexican Celebrations

Ten years ago, finding a Mexican food festival in Britain meant looking very hard indeed. Today, the calendar is packed. From massive multi-day events in London to intimate pop-up markets in Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol, the UK's appetite for authentic Mexican food and culture has exploded. Whether you want to sample tacos from a dozen different vendors, learn to make tortillas from scratch, sip mezcal at a masterclass, or dance to mariachi music in a field, there is an event for you somewhere in Britain this year.

This guide covers the major events, the hidden gems, and the regular markets and pop-ups that keep the Mexican food scene alive between festivals. We have focused on events that prioritise authenticity - run by Mexican chefs, featuring genuine Mexican ingredients, and celebrating the real depth and diversity of Mexican cuisine rather than the Tex-Mex approximation that dominated British perceptions for so long.

Major Festivals

Día de Muertos Festival, London - October/November 2026

The biggest Day of the Dead celebration outside Mexico, held annually in various London venues. Expect face painting, ofrendas (altars), live music, traditional dance, and - most importantly for our purposes - an extraordinary array of food stalls. Pan de muerto (sweet bread of the dead), tamales, mole, pozole, and sugar skulls feature prominently. Past years have seen attendance of over 15,000 people across the weekend.

The food at this festival is consistently excellent because the organisers work directly with London's Mexican community, ensuring that stalls are run by Mexican cooks using authentic recipes and ingredients. It is one of the few events where you can find genuine Oaxacan mole, properly made tamales, and authentic Mexican hot chocolate made with water, not milk.

When: Late October or early November (dates vary - check social media in September)

Where: Various London venues (previously held at the Roundhouse, Shoreditch venues, and Southbank)

Tickets: Usually £10-15 advance, more on the door

MexFest, London - Summer 2026

A summer celebration of Mexican food, drink and music held outdoors in London. Multiple stages of live music, a mezcal and tequila bar, cooking demonstrations, and 20+ food vendors serving everything from tacos to churros to agua frescas. The atmosphere is joyful and inclusive, with families, foodies and festival-goers mixing freely.

MexFest has grown significantly each year and now attracts some of London's best Mexican restaurants as vendors - including names that normally have month-long waiting lists. It is one of the few opportunities to try food from multiple top Mexican restaurants in one place, at festival prices.

When: July or August (dates TBC)

Where: Various outdoor London venues

Tickets: £15-25

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations - May 2026

While Cinco de Mayo is often misunderstood (it commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, not Mexican Independence Day), it has become an occasion for celebration in cities worldwide. In Britain, several venues and organisations host Cinco de Mayo parties featuring live music, margarita specials, and Mexican food.

Look for events at Mexican restaurants and bars in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Many offer special menus, live mariachi performances, and drinks promotions. The quality varies enormously - seek out events organised by or in partnership with the Mexican community for the most authentic experience.

Regular Markets and Pop-Ups

Mercado de Sabores, London

A regular Mexican market featuring food vendors, ingredient stalls, and artisan products. Held monthly at various London locations, this market is the best place in Britain to find authentic Mexican ingredients - dried chillies, masa harina, Mexican chocolate, mole paste, fresh tortillas, and imported Mexican products that you simply cannot find in supermarkets. Even if you do not buy food to eat on the spot, it is worth visiting to stock your Mexican kitchen.

KERB and Street Food Markets

KERB markets across London regularly feature Mexican street food vendors. The standard is generally high, as KERB has a rigorous selection process. Look for vendors at King's Cross, Camden, West India Quay and the Southbank. Standout Mexican traders change seasonally, but the quality is consistent.

Borough Market, London

Borough Market is not a Mexican market, but several permanent and semi-permanent stalls serve excellent Mexican food. The market's emphasis on quality ingredients and authentic cooking means that the Mexican food here is typically better than at many dedicated festivals. Worth visiting on a Saturday morning for breakfast tacos and coffee.

Regional Events Worth Travelling For

Manchester

Manchester's Mexican food scene has grown remarkably in recent years, and several annual events reflect this. The Northern Quarter hosts regular Mexican food pop-ups, and the city's excellent permanent Mexican restaurants - several of which are run by Mexican-born chefs - often host special events, mezcal tastings, and cooking classes. Check social media for monthly pop-up markets at venues like Grub and Mackie Mayor.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh's Festival Fringe in August inevitably features Mexican food vendors among its extraordinary street food offering. Beyond the Fringe, the city has a small but passionate Mexican food community that organises occasional markets and pop-up dinners. The quality can be exceptional - Edinburgh's Mexican cooks tend to be perfectionist by nature, matching the city's general foodie sensibility.

Bristol

Bristol's vibrant street food scene includes several excellent Mexican vendors who appear regularly at markets like St Nicholas Market and various pop-up events. The city's strong independent food culture means that Mexican food here tends to be authentic and creative rather than generic.

Birmingham

Birmingham's Digbeth Dining Club and other street food events regularly feature Mexican food vendors. The city's diverse food scene creates an appreciative audience for authentic flavours, and several Birmingham-based Mexican cooks have built significant followings through regular market appearances.

Cooking Classes and Workshops

If you want to go beyond eating and learn to cook Mexican food yourself, several organisations and restaurants across the UK offer classes:

• Wahaca cooking classes: The chain occasionally offers group cooking experiences at selected locations
• Independent Mexican chefs: Several Mexican-born chefs in London, Manchester and Edinburgh offer intimate cooking classes in their homes or at rented kitchen spaces. These are typically the best value and the most authentic - you learn directly from someone who grew up cooking these dishes. Search Instagram and Eventbrite for listings.
• Cookery schools: Leiths, Divertimenti and other London cookery schools regularly run Mexican cooking classes. These tend to be more expensive but offer professional-level instruction and excellent facilities.

Mezcal and Tequila Tastings

The UK's growing interest in mezcal and quality tequila has spawned a circuit of tasting events across the country. These range from intimate bar-based tastings (typically £25-40 per person for 5-7 samples with food pairings) to large-scale festivals featuring dozens of producers.

Look for events hosted by specialist importers and bars. London's mezcal bars - including Hacha, El Pastor's bar, and the mezcal selection at various Mexican restaurants - regularly host tasting evenings. Outside London, specialist bars in Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol offer similar events.

How to Get the Most from Mexican Food Events

• Arrive early: Popular stalls sell out. If there is a vendor you particularly want to try, be there when the doors open.
• Bring cash: Many market and festival vendors still prefer cash, despite the increasing prevalence of card readers. Have at least £20-30 in small notes.
• Be adventurous: Skip the familiar tacos and try something you have never had - chapulines (grasshoppers), huitlacoche (corn fungus), mole negro, or whatever looks most unfamiliar. Food festivals are the perfect place to experiment.
• Talk to the cooks: Mexican food vendors at markets and festivals are almost always happy to talk about their food, their ingredients and their recipes. Ask questions. You will learn more in a five-minute conversation with a cook than in hours of reading.
• Buy ingredients to take home: If the event has ingredient stalls, stock up on dried chillies, Mexican chocolate, mole paste, and anything else you cannot find at Tesco. These ingredients keep for months and will transform your home cooking.

Creating Your Own Mexican Food Events

You do not need to wait for a festival. Some of the best Mexican food experiences in Britain happen in people's homes. Consider hosting:

• A taco night: Prepare 3-4 fillings and let guests build their own tacos. Browse our recipe collection for filling ideas.
• A mezcal tasting: Buy 4-5 different mezcals and taste them blind with friends. Serve with orange slices, sal de gusano (worm salt) and simple snacks.
• A mole cooking day: Mole is a communal project in Mexico - multiple people working together to toast, grind and cook dozens of ingredients. Invite friends over for a day-long mole-making session. The result feeds everyone and creates memories.

For ingredients to host your own Mexican feast, visit our UK Mexican shop directory. For restaurant recommendations before or after events, check our restaurant guide. And for authentic recipes to practise at home, explore our complete recipe collection.