Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair: Enjoy Food Tastings and Sugar Skull Making – Date and Location

The autumn season brings ingredients that are part of Mexican gastronomy, such as pumpkin and chilacayote. To celebrate these products and preserve the region’s traditions, Xochimilco hosts the first edition of the Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair 2026, a gathering that brings together traditional food, local products and cultural activities related to Día de Muertos.

This gastronomic festival takes place at Hueycalli, in San Gregorio Atlapulco, where local producers offer a culinary showcase and artisanal products. Among its main attractions are snacks prepared with locally sourced ingredients, traditional sweets and workshops to learn how to craft calaveritas from chilacayote, a tradition linked to the November celebrations.

The Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair 2026 has already begun and will continue with various activities on weekends. Therefore, if you are looking for a plan to enjoy traditional cuisine, learn about the region’s agricultural work and participate in family activities, this celebration offers an option to discover the customs of one of Xochimilco’s towns. Below we will outline the activities that will be on offer and how to reach this gastronomic fair by public transport, keep reading.

When and where will the Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair 2026 take place?

The Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair runs from October 3 to November 2, 2026 at Hueycalli, located in San Gregorio Atlapulco, Xochimilco borough, Mexico City. The venue is near the new San Gregorio Atlapulco Cemetery, in an area linked to the region’s agricultural production. The gastronomic days take place on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free; however, the foods and products offered at the stalls have their own prices.

How to reach the Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair?

To reach by public transport, one option is to take Line 2 of the Metro to Taxqueña and then board the Light Rail toward Xochimilco. From the terminal you can continue by local transport to San Gregorio Atlapulco. It is recommended to check the route before departing and allow extra time to reach the site.

What activities will be at the Chilacayote and Pumpkin Fair?

1. Gastronomic showcase with regional ingredients: One of the main attractions will be the offering of dishes prepared with products such as quelites, pumpkin flower, corn, amaranth and epazote. There will also be griddle snacks, including quesadillas, gorditas, tamales and atoles, for those who want to try the traditional flavors of the southern part of the capital.

2. Market of local products and artisanal sweets: Attendees will be able to find honey, salsas, flours, granolas and other products made in the region. The offering includes traditional sweets such as crystallized pumpkin and chilacayote, amaranto alegrías, palanquetas and dulce de leche, options to take home and support local producers.

3. Workshop to craft chilacayote calaveritas: In the context of Día de Muertos, the fair revives a tradition in which these fruits are carved into skull shapes. This activity allows visitors to learn about a regional custom and engage with the practices that accompany the celebrations of this season.

4. Workshops on sustainable farming and open-fire cooking: The program includes activities to learn agricultural techniques and traditional methods of food preparation. These experiences bring visitors closer to the work of local producers and the knowledge preserved in San Gregorio Atlapulco.

5. Agro-touristic tours and craft expo: Guided tours are also organized to learn more about the region’s agricultural production, alongside spaces where crafts are exhibited and sold. Thus, visitors can discover the link between local crops, gastronomy and community traditions.

6. Dance and live music: Cultural performances are part of the fair’s entertainment offering. Through music and dance, the gathering aims to complement the gastronomic experience and share different expressions of Mexican popular culture.