MND Local CDMX: World-class coffee, cool jazz and kids’ workshops

Mexico City finally seems to be inching its way out of the rainy season, which means fall is upon us and winter’s right around the corner. Lucky for us, neither should be particularly frigid. 

From a world-class coffee showdown to an open-air jazz festival and a creative workshop for the little ones, there’s plenty to look forward to in the weeks ahead. Here’s what’s brewing, swinging and sparking imaginations around the capital.

Let’s get into it.

The battle for the world’s best coffee is brewing in CDMX

Two weeks ago, we filled you in on a craft beer festival slated to take place Oct. 23 and 24, as well as the Mexico City Food and Wine Festival, scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8. Now, it’s the coffee connoisseurs’ turn.

The 2026 World AeroPress Championship will take over Frontón Bucareli in Mexico City’s Colonia Centro from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. It’s the culmination of a year-long series that saw roughly 8,000 people competing in more than 230 events across nearly 70 countries. 

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On Dec. 6, however, a panel of judges will finally determine who can brew the best cup of coffee using a rather rudimentary piece of equipment, the humble AeroPress. 

Throughout the day, there will not only be several heats to crown the world champion, but also live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, DJs, local food and more. There’s also a Roasters Village featuring 13 “hand-selected roasters pouring coffees you won’t find anywhere else,” according to the organizers, and competing for the coveted attendees’ choice award. 

Now in its 18th year, the World AeroPress Championships began with three people in Oslo, Norway, in 2008. It has since become the world’s largest coffee-making championship, drawing tens of thousands of spectators in-person and online throughout the year. This is the first time the championship is being held in Mexico City.

• Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Location: Bucareli 118, Colonia Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000
• Cost: 350 pesos

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the World AeroPress Championship website.

Polanco swings into winter with a jazzy double bill

What better way to usher in the winter season — at least with Mexico City’s relatively temperate year-round weather —  than with a cozy outdoor jazz festival? Polanco Jazz Festival returns to Lincoln Park’s Ángela Peralta Theater Dec. 5 and 6 for its 13th year and 22nd edition. 

Day one of the event will feature Mexico’s Luis MTZ Jazz Project, followed by Louise Phelan Blues Band, hailing all the way from Ireland. It’s anyone’s guess where the headliner comes from, but its billing — Extravaganza The Show — is more than enough to pique our interest. 

Meanwhile, day two includes Erik Deutsch Band, who are making the trip down from the States, and two more acts out of Mexico, Polanco Jazz Quintet Starring Sunset and Hector Infanzón Trio.

Ángela Peralta Theater is described as “the only theater where the sunset is part of the show,” making for a unique celestial backdrop to your sonic explorations. 

• Date: Dec. 5 and 6, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: Aristóteles s/n, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560
• Cost: Single-day tickets range from 550 pesos to 1,200 pesos. Two-day passes start at 940 pesos.

For more information, visit Polanco Jazz Festival’s official website or head over to Boletia to purchase tickets.

Playtime with a purpose: Imagining a better world together

Unless you have a particularly precocious child, chances are you’re feeling a bit left out with these events. Well, fear not — we’ve got all of our lovely families covered as well. 

Colegio de San Ildefonso is hosting a creative laboratory experience dubbed “Un Mundo,” or “One World,” throughout November and into early December. 

According to the organizers, children are invited to “imagine and collectively build a place where anything is possible,” using cardboard, fabric and other art materials. Workshop themes include imagining new ways of living and caring for one another.

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To be honest, we think some of our adult readers, not to mention our own staff, could benefit from imagining new worlds too. But we digress …

“Un Mundo is a laboratory for play, imagination, and shared, collective creation, where they will discover that other worlds can also be built together,” the organizers state. 

The workshops are split into two age groups — noon to 1 p.m. for children ages 3 months to 3 years, and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for children ages 4 to 10. Likewise, the organizers note that the event is suitable for children with disabilities and neurodivergence. However, we cannot guarantee bilingual staff will be available.

• Date: Nov. 8, Nov. 22 and Dec. 8, noon to 2 p.m. (depending on your child’s age)
• Location: Colegio de San Ildefonso, Room 11, Justo Sierra 16, Historic Center, 06020
• Cost: Free, but registration is required.

For more information and to register your kid(s), visit Cultura UNAM’s website or email acsiedu@gmail.com.

Drew Pittock serves as Mexico News Daily’s features director. He is based in Mexico City. Have an idea for a feature story or unique event in CDMX? Send an email to drew.pittock@mexiconewsdaily.com.