Culture on Holbox lives in the streets: hundreds of murals cover the town, and the year is marked by community festivals rooted in fishing and Maya traditions. Most events center on the main square and the town pier.
Each listing includes the location, a link and a map. Places change, so we review this list regularly; last reviewed October 2026.
Holbox street murals
Centro · Public art
Facades throughout the town center, Holbox, Q.R. 77310
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Why we recommend it: Colorful murals by Mexican and international artists cover house and business walls across town, a legacy of the International Public Art Festival that painted the island from 2014. Themes of marine life and island culture make a walk through the sand streets an open-air gallery.
Parque Central and Concha Acústica
Centro · Main square and stage
Main square, town center, Holbox, Q.R. 77310
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Why we recommend it: The main square is the civic heart of the island, where school rehearsals, the Independence Day festivities and the carnival parade from the pier come together. Its acoustic shell stage hosts free concerts and community events through the year.
Carnaval de Holbox
Centro · Annual festival (February)
Parade route from the pier to Parque Central, Holbox
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Why we recommend it: Held in February before Lent, the island’s carnival brings costumed comparsas, drums and street dancing, with skits that poke fun at the past year’s local events. The 2024 edition marked 20 years and drew thousands of residents and visitors to the main square.
Fiesta de San Telmo
Centro and the sea · Patron saint festival (April)
Streets of Holbox and maritime procession offshore
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Why we recommend it: Each April the island honors San Telmo (San Pedro González Telmo), patron saint of fishermen, with jarana music, a street procession and a closing maritime procession of boats. Fishing families share regional dishes such as cochinita pibil and relleno negro; the 2026 edition ran April 9 to 14.
Janal Pixan festival
Centro · Day of the Dead festival (late October)
Town center, Holbox
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Why we recommend it: Holbox’s Maya Day of the Dead celebration runs for three days at the end of October, with Maya ceremonies, altars explained in the Maya language, costume contests, regional food and local performers. The 2025 edition, October 26 to 28, was the 17th consecutive year.
Living in Holbox
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