Mérida is about to get a whole lot jazzier! From October 1 to 4, 2025, the Festival de Jazz Mérida will bring an exciting wave of rhythm, culture, and creativity to the heart of Yucatán. Organized by the Ayuntamiento de Mérida through its Dirección de Identidad y Cultura, this brand-new festival aims to make jazz accessible to everyone with free concerts, master classes, and cultural activities spread across the city’s most iconic spaces.
This festival marks a new chapter in Mérida’s cultural calendar. While it temporarily replaces the well-loved Noche Blanca (which will return in 2026), the Festival de Jazz Mérida promises to add its own vibrant flair, creating unforgettable moments for music lovers and curious first-timers alike.
What to Expect
The festival lineup blends local talent with national and international jazz artists, showcasing the full spectrum of the genre—from soulful traditional rhythms to bold contemporary sounds. Highlights include:
- Concerts at Multiple Venues: Evening performances will take place at Parque de Santa Lucía, the Remate de Paseo de Montejo, and other downtown spots.
- Master Classes & Conversations: Talks and workshops with experienced musicians and cultural voices will bring audiences closer to the world of jazz.
- Marcha Second Line: A New Orleans-style parade will fill the streets with energy, color, and music.
And the best part? All activities are completely free and open to the public.
Featured Artists
This year’s lineup is packed with talent. Alongside big names like Elizabeth Meza, Magos Herrera, Óscar Terán Cuarteto, The Tribe, and Mérida Hot Jazz Society, audiences will also enjoy performances by Concorde, Imperfecta (San Cuevas), Meen Green, Edgar Cruz, Mario Esquivel, Emmanuel Mora, and Mateo y Rodrigo Valdés.
One of the festival’s highlights is Magos Herrera, a celebrated jazz vocalist nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for her song “Niña.” With a career spanning some of the world’s most prestigious stages—including the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and the Montreux, Montreal, and Barcelona festivals—Herrera brings international prestige and a powerful, emotive presence to Mérida’s first-ever jazz festival
Full Festival Calendar
Wednesday, October 1
- 10:00 AM | Master Class: Meen Green, Mateo y Rodrigo Valdés – Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Yucatán
- 7:00 PM | Concert: Concorde – Parque de Santa Lucía
- 8:00 PM | Concert: Imperfecta, San Cuevas – Parque de Santa Lucía
- 9:10 PM | Concert: The Tribe – Parque de Santa Lucía
Thursday, October 2
- 10:00 AM | Conversation: Edgar Cruz, Mario Esquivel & Emmanuel Mora – CEPHCIS, UNAM
- 4:00 PM | Master Class: Sara Valenzuela – Centro Cultural Olimpo
Friday, October 3
- 10:00 AM | Master Class: Elizabeth Meza, Gina Oovanny & San Cuevas – Patio Central de la UADY
- 11:30 AM | Master Class: Magos Herrera – Palacio de la Música
- 8:00 PM | Concert: Meen Green – Remate de Paseo de Montejo
- 9:10 PM | Concert: Tlapalería Don Chuy – Remate de Paseo de Montejo
- 10:20 PM | Concert: Elizabeth Meza – Remate de Paseo de Montejo
Saturday, October 4
- 7:50 PM | Marcha Second Line: Mérida Hot Jazz Society – Corredor Turístico Gastronómico
- 8:00 PM | Concert: Mérida Hot Jazz Society – Remate de Paseo de Montejo
- 9:10 PM | Concert: Óscar Terán Cuarteto – Remate de Paseo de Montejo
- 10:20 PM | Concert: Magos Herrera – Remate de Paseo de Montejo
Why It Matters
The Festival de Jazz Mérida is part of Mérida’s commitment as a UNESCO Learning City, fostering creativity, education, and cultural exchange. It’s not just about music—it’s about bringing people together, supporting the arts, and positioning Mérida as a must-visit cultural destination in Mexico.
