Festive creativity
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◖Culture, understood as the traditions, dances, songs, costumes, crafts, architecture and legends, is rich in this mountainous Pueblo Mágico. Its cosmogony on the weather, its treatment of the earth, water or fire, or traditional medicine is a living culture that has not been allowed to decay, on the contrary, it is enriched in daily life.
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Chignahuapan, like all the towns of the Sierra Norte of Puebla, is full of honest and hardworking people, but above all, creative.
The Festival de la Luz y de la Vida
◖This celebration has its origin in a pre-Hispanic ritual to achieve purification and has been part of the traditions of the people of Puebla for a long time.
It includes a series of special events on the occasion of Dia de Muertos such as live music, local gastronomy, contests, dances, the exhibition of a marble granite mats alluding to the 9 steps that a soul crosses to reach the Mictlán, the Ofrenda de las Mil Luces-a monumental altar set up at the foot of the Parish of Santiago Apóstol, a pan de muerto contest, and special guests from other states.
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But above all, the main event is the traditional representation of the journey of the dead to their final resting place, the Mictlan. This is the most exciting moment, the march of the torches through the streets to the lagoon, where a group of dancers await.
In the water shines a floating pyramid with fluorescent lights and guarded by illuminated skulls—a spectacle in itself, and there, dozens of dancers give life to the narration of the journey of the souls to reach Mictlán. The performance ends with fireworks.
Buy your tickets at the Municipal Treasury or at the Tourism Office of Chignahuapan. More information here.
Another important moment during this Festival that shines with its own light is the celebration of the Anniversary of Chignahuapan as a Magic Town. During this celebration a plaque is unveiled and you can enjoy the performance of a singing star, such as Raúl Ornelas or Paty Cantú.
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“The lagoon links us to the past and the present.”.
Festival Equinoccio
◖ Another important and festive date in Chignahuapan is the Equinox Festival, a cultural, gastronomic, athletic, artisanal and artistic event, which also includes pre-Hispanic activities typical of the arrival of Spring.
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This beautiful festival seeks to rescue the memory of the ancestral culture of the Magic Town, which is also part of the cosmology of most of the country.
This beautiful festival seeks to rescue the memory of the ancestral culture of the Magic Town, which is also part of the cosmology of most of the country.
The lagoon is the central axis of the Equinox, since water is an energetic focal point, where the energy charge flows.
As is customary, from March 19th onwards and the following weekend, live music shows, rituals welcoming spring to recharge energy, exhibitions, and lighting interventions in the public space with video mapping will take place.
The equinox
It is an astronomical event starring the Earth and the Sun: the moment when day and night have the same length. For our ancestors it was the beginning of the agricultural cycle and the fertility of the earth.
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Patron saint festivities of Santiago Apóstol
◖This honorable and ancient celebration takes place in July. The festivities begin on the 20th and end between the 28th and 31st, enough time to organize: the great cavalcade and procession, donkey and sack races, trompos and baleros tournaments, bicycle contests, gastronomic samples, and dances, such as the chotis. As well as live music day and night.
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To remember the old pulqueria La Querendona, a recreation of it is installed in the main square. And since the Barbacoa and Pulque Festival is held during these days, there is no way to forget either of them: both the beverage and the meat are given away to whoever passes by. It is truly a party that no one wants to miss.
Switching on of the Tree and the Monumental Sphere
◖The Town Hall of Chignahuapan organizes every year the Switching on of the Tree and the Monumental Sphere. This event is the starting card of the festivities of the traditional Feria Nacional del Arbol y la Esfera. It is a magical moment that visitors and locals enjoy to the fullest.
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The Christmas Tree, one of the tallest in the country, is 65 meters tall and the Monumental Sphere reaches 12 meters in diameter.
Obviously the fireworks and music is present with some great artist that embellishes the night even more.
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The favorite son: Capulina
◖ Also known as the “King of white humor”, this actor belonged to the golden age of Mexican cinema and, due to his national relevance, he has a statue in Chignahuapan, where he is from.
If you want to take an entertaining and beautiful tour to learn more about this comedian, you can do it in the open truck “Ajolo-Tour”, the tour includes the house where Capulina was born, and the street named after him: “Gaspar Henaine”.
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Also, near the Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción, there is the Taquería Capulina (3ª de Romero Vargas without number), opened by his relatives, adorned with posters and portraits of the artist, as well as covers of the comic book Las Aventuras de Capulina.
Inside the Municipal Palace, among the walls painted by Héctor Castilla on the allegory of Chignahuapan, you can observe, with patience and curiosity, a “moustached skull” with a smile reminiscent of Capulina’s cartoon.
Obviously, the tour will pass by the Quiosco Mudéjar (Juárez & Calle 3 Ote. Antes Hidalgo, Centro), where the famous statue of Capulina is located.
Also, on the way to the spas and hot springs, you will find the Cabañas Capulina, surrounded by green areas and a zoo. A must-see in this Pueblo Mágico without a doubt.
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Gaspar Henaine Pérez, better known as “Capulina”, was born in Chignahuapan on January 6, 1927. He was an actor, comedian, musician and singer who was part of one of the most beloved duets for Mexican families: Viruta and Capulina.
Museo Mexicano del Axolote
◖ All Mexicans totally identify with this charismatic animal. We are very fortunate to have this amphibian species and it is in Chignahuapan that a museum has been dedicated to it, after having been the Casa del Axolote.
This place aims to promote the care of this species and has an exhibition area of different species of axolotls, a playroom, a restaurant, and a souvenir store.
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It is a cultural facility where workshops, courses, lectures, conferences, and activities that can contribute economically to the preservation of the species are also offered.
Truly, both locals and visitors come away loving these small and charming creatures.
These amphibians were of great importance for Mesoamerican cultures and were considered a god, the Axolot, twin of Quetzalcoatl and who gives passage to the souls to the underworld.
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Puebla has two species of axolotls, however, there are 19 in Mexico, and recently a new one was found in San Luis Potosi.
Write this down in your calendar
July 25th: Feast in honor of the Lord of Saint Santiago Apóstol, patron saint of the town.
October 30th: Anniversary of Magical Town.
November 1st and 2nd: The Festival of Luz y de la Vida, the Ofrenda de las Mil Luces.
November 20: Switching on of the Tree and the Sphere.
November 25 to December 4: Feria Nacional del Árbol y la Esfera.
December 8th: Homage to Inmaculada Concepción.
