Uplifting events in Mexico

As our summer draws to a close and those autumn/winter blues creep in, Journey Latin America brings you a range of uplifting events in Mexico. See one of the world’s great tenors, Placido Domingo, perform live at one of the world’s great ancient sites, Chichén Itzá; experience the Day of the Dead festivities in the lake-side town of Pátzcuaro; marvel at the light/shadow phenomenon of the Autumn Equinox at Chichén Itzá; or join in with the wacky “Radish Night” fiesta in Oaxaca – the choice is yours.

Autumn Equinox at Chichén Itzá - 21 & 22 September

Voted one of “New 7 Wonders of the World” a year ago, the Mayan site of Chichén Itzá has long been one of Mexico’s big-name attractions. But it is the light/shadow phenomenon of the Autumn Equinox, at the 90-foot-high Temple of Kukulkán ("El Castillo"), which is the big draw. At sunset, the light catches the edges of the pyramid’s stepped terraces, creating the impression of a snake sliding down the stairs toward the stone head of the serpent (Kukulkán) at its base.

Price: 10 nights in Mexico from £1722 pp, including all flights and mid-range hotels.

Plácido Domingo at Chichén Itzá - 04 October

Billed as the “Concert of the Thousand Columns”, Placido Domingo will be giving a one-off, charity performance at Chichén Itzá; to commemorate the Mayan site’s 20th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famed tenor will be accompanied by Mexican songwriter Armando Manzanero, Puerto Rican soprano Ana María Martínez and the Yucatán Symphony Orchestra. Do it in style and stay at the Hacienda San José; a beautifully-restored former nobleman's estate, with 15 suites (some with private plunge pools), pool, gardens and restaurant.

Price: 7 nights in Mexico from £2647 pp, including all flights, first-class accommodation and concert tickets (VIP Gold area).

Day of the Dead in Pátzcuaro - 01 & 02 November

All of Mexico stops during the first two days of November for a nationwide communion with the dead, known as the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a more joyful occasion than you might expect, as it’s both a remembrance of loved ones and a celebration of the eternal cycle of life and death. Visit the lake-side, colonial town of Pátzcuaro and nearby island of Janitzio, where the cemetery bell rings out all night long, calling souls to return and enjoy the ceremony.

Price: 10 nights in Mexico from £1902 pp, including all flights and first-class hotels.

Radish Night in Oaxaca - 23 December

La Noche de Rábanos or ‘Radish Night’ is one of the most unique folk-art festivals in the world, taking place every 23 December in the wonderful colonial city of Oaxaca. Three days before the festival, artists begin carving their freshly-dug radishes, spraying them constantly with water to maintain freshness and shape. On the night of the competition, the ornate, lovingly-created sculptures are displayed, ranging from small animals and strange human figures, to grand dioramas of the Nativity.

Price: 10 nights in Mexico from £1923 pp, including all flights and mid-range hotels.

Note, all prices are based on double occupancy and include all flights, hotel accommodation with some meals, land transfers and guided excursions.

For more information, log on to Journeylatinamerica.co.uk.