The Catrineras 2026 festival began on October 9 at the Ex Hacienda de Chautla in Puebla and will run until November 2 with illuminated trajineras and monumental offerings. The organisation expects to exceed 150,000 attendees and generate 70 million pesos.
The Ex Hacienda de Chautla, located in the municipality of San Salvador El Verde (Puebla), has been hosting the second edition of the Catrineras 2026 festival since October 9, which will remain open until November 2. The event, as reported by mayacomunicacion.com.mx, aims to establish itself on the Day of the Dead route in the state, offering tours on illuminated trajineras, monumental offerings, catrina figures, haunted houses, and a food area, about two hours' drive from Mexico City.
Puebla's Secretary of Tourism Development, Carla López-Malo Villalón, noted during the inauguration that the state expects to receive over 1.2 million visitors during the Day of the Dead season, a 3.5% increase compared to 2025, with a projected economic impact of 1.518 billion pesos and hotel occupancy of 56.57%.
“Memory brings us together”
Under this slogan, the festival features eight trajineras, three haunted houses, six immersive legends, a cultural kiosk, and a pavilion with 80 artisans and producers from the region. The General Director of Conventions and Parks of the state government, Michelle Talavera Herrera, highlighted the growth of the venue: it increased from 144,297 visitors in 2024 to 326,651 in 2025, a 126% rise. During the Catrineras season alone, attendance rose from 16,757 people in 2024 to 142,397 in 2025.
For this edition, the official goal is to exceed 150,000 visitors and generate an economic impact of 70 million pesos. The festival has also been integrated into the National Circuit of Festivals for Peace. The inauguration was attended by state authorities from Tourism, Culture, and Conventions and Parks, along with a representative from the federal Secretariat of Culture.
Access to the venue costs 50 pesos for the general public and 20 pesos at a preferential rate for children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. Attractions are charged separately: the trajinera ride, the pumpkin area, and a haunted house each cost 50 pesos, while the package for all three haunted houses is 80 pesos. Parking is priced at 21 pesos.
The opening hours are from Thursday to Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Night experiences, such as illuminated trajinera rides and the main horror attractions, begin from 6:00 PM.
The Ex Hacienda de Chautla, founded in 1777, is known for the Gillow Castle, a red brick construction in English style built in 1897 in front of an artificial lake. The name of the place comes from the Nahuatl chiautla, meaning “where the water rises.” From the castle's viewpoint, one can see Iztaccíhuatl.
To reach from Mexico City by car, the usual route is the Mexico-Puebla highway with a detour towards San Martín Texmelucan; the journey is estimated to take between one hour and 40 minutes to two hours. By public transport, the option is to take a bus from TAPO to San Martín Texmelucan and then transfer to San Lucas El Grande.
The festival closes on November 2, the date when it will be known if the goal of 150,000 attendees has been reached. Those travelling on the peak dates should plan their transport and accommodation in advance, consult the official schedules before departing, and carry cash for the attractions that are paid separately.
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