MND Local Guadalajara: Cirque du Soleil, Day of the Dead festivities and Ukrainian ballet coming to town, but mind the sinkholes

There is an exciting slate of cultural activities in Guadalajara in the coming month, including the 20th edition of Cirque du Soleil, the Leyenda de la Noche theme park and a Ukrainian ballet performing “Swan Lake.”

But before we dive in, let’s look at the myriad road closures around town stemming from dangerous sinkholes to help you navigate safely.

Be careful out there: It’s sinkhole season in Guadalajara

As the rainy season winds down in Jalisco state, this year’s storms have caused more than 3,000 sinkholes of various sizes around the city, with at least five massive ones creating havoc along major commuting corridors.

The gargantuan holes have caused accidents, lengthy traffic jams and road closures as SIAPA (the public water authority) tackles repairs, creating new headaches for area motorists.

To date, SIAPA has addressed only about half of the reported sinkholes due to limited resources.

According to Ismael Jáuregui Castañeda, head of SIAPA, most of the new sinkholes are in older neighborhoods where aging water infrastructure long past its useful life is collapsing, triggered by especially heavy rains this past summer.

Below is a rundown of key hotspots.

Sinkhole swallows pickup truck while stopped on Hermosillo boulevard

On Sept. 7, a massive sinkhole opened on Malecón Avenue at the intersection with Tanacatita in Tonalá, measuring 45 meters long by 12 meters wide and 8.5 meters deep. Commenting on the collapse, Jáuregui said the cause was a failure in the drainage system under the road.

SIAPA expects road repairs to last around two months due to the complexity and scale of the problem.

In separate incidents over the past month, Enrique Díaz de León Avenue collapsed in two places. The larger sinkhole spans roughly 17 meters long by 6 meters wide and 3 meters deep. This stretch of Enrique Díaz de León Avenue north of Camacho Avenue is closed while repairs are made.

Last week, yet another large sinkhole appeared on Manuel Ávila Camacho Avenue at the intersection of Jacarandas Street, just south of Zapopan Centro. A similar failure occurred last year about 100 meters from the current sinkhole, which measures 5 meters wide and 3 meters deep.

The northbound side of Camacho Avenue, heading toward the Arcos de Zapopan, is closed while SIAPA carries out repairs. If the weather cooperates, authorities expect to have the work finished by Oct. 2.

Cirque du Soleil performs in Guadalajara for two weeks in October

Cirque du Soleil returns to Guadalajara for its 20th season this month, performing its new show, “Echo,” over a two-week run.

The show features a young woman named Future and her dog, Ewai, as they embark on an exploratory journey. The set reportedly features a massive, enigmatic 23-foot cube on stage that is disassembled and rebuilt throughout the performance, symbolizing the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

Directed by Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar, “Echo” features plenty of the high-energy acrobatics and rich visuals the company is famous for, along with live music and vocal performances.

Dates: Oct. 8–25, 2026

Location: Gran Carpa Soleil, Plaza Patria, Guadalajara

Cost: Available at the on-site box office and through Ticketmaster.

Visit Leyenda de la Noche, a holiday horror theme park

This month, Guadalajara welcomes a new horror theme park inspired by beloved stories in Mexican pop culture.

Legends of the Night brings immersive experiences for all ages. The park will feature five themed houses, plus live shows, characters and an atmosphere designed to transport visitors into each magical setting.

While some houses deliver terror and surprises best suited to guests with nerves of steel, others promise more family-friendly fun.

Dates: Oct. 1–Nov. 2, 2026

Location: Calzada Independencia Norte 500, across from Parque Morelos in Guadalajara Center

Cost: On sale now from AKP Tickets

Make plans to enjoy Guadalajara’s Day of the Dead parade

One of the most anticipated and colorful events is back for its 20th anniversary edition in Guadalajara: the traditional Day of the Dead Parade.

This popular annual parade fills the streets with brilliant colors, traditional music, art and joyous dancing for an unforgettable day. Hundreds of participants embrace the celebration with skull-themed costumes and spooky makeup.

This year, the parade takes place Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, with the route beginning at the former Oblatos Penitentiary. It is open to the general public with participation by voluntary donation.

For more information, follow the event’s Instagram account.

Palenque de las Fiestas kicks off in Zapopan Oct. 2

The Palenque de las Fiestas is a traditional concert arena and major annual music event held during Guadalajara’s famous month-long Fiestas de Octubre festival.

This year’s event, which takes place at the Benito Juárez Auditorium in northern Zapopan, includes top-tier Mexican acts performing banda, mariachi and pop music. Confirmed artists include Alejandro Fernández, Banda MS and Grupo Firme.

Below are the dates for several of the most anticipated performances:

• Oct. 3–4: Jorge Medina & Josi Cuen

• Oct. 9: Banda MS

• Oct. 16–17: Alejandro Fernández

• Oct. 25: Remmy Valenzuela

• Oct. 29: Julión Álvarez

• Oct. 31–Nov. 1: Grupo Firme

The full schedule can be viewed on the festival website.

For those considering attendance, this event retains some traditions — such as cockfighting — that many foreigners (as well as some locals) find offensive.