Guanajuato, Gto. – The upcoming Festival Internacional Cervantino 2025 (FIC) revealed its full program for October 10–26, 2025, showcasing a vibrant blend of British and Mexican talent. As the guest of honor, the United Kingdom brings landmark theater, dance, and music acts to this historic colonial city. Festival director Jorge Volpi described the selection as “an invitation to build bridges through art.”
Born in 1972, the Cervantino festival has grown into Latin America’s premier cultural event. Each year, it transforms Guanajuato’s centuries-old plazas, theaters, and alleys into stages. This edition marks one of the most ambitious cross-cultural exchanges in the festival’s history.
Cervantino festival lineup
Headlining the Cervantino festival lineup is the London Symphony Orchestra, which will perform a special program honoring Mexican composer Julián Carrillo. Their concert takes place in the 18th-century Juárez Theater, offering a rare chance to hear the symphony’s world-class sound in an intimate setting.
Julieta Venegas returns to festival audiences with the Universidad de Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra, presenting symphonic versions of her greatest hits. She aims to bridge pop sensibilities with orchestral textures, crafting a fresh listening experience for both younger fans and longtime followers.
The British dance scene arrives with Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance Company, acclaimed for its fusion of technology and movement. McGregor will premiere a new piece inspired by Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions, blending digital projections with live dancers on the Alhóndiga de Granaditas stage.
Meanwhile, the improvisational collective Africa Express, founded by Blur’s Damon Albarn, offers a musical journey across continents. Their set will feature Mexican son jarocho musicians from Veracruz in a “Celtic fandango,” weaving bagpipes and harp with jarana and requinto. This collaboration highlights shared rhythms and underscores the festival’s ethos of creative dialogue.
Highlights and community impact
Beyond headline acts, the festival includes multidisciplinary projects and community workshops. British playwright Lucy Prebble will conduct a masterclass on contemporary drama at the Cervantes Institute. Mexican street artists will collaborate with London muralists for a public art installation along the city’s Callejón del Beso, adding vibrant color to Guanajuato’s winding lanes.
Local vendors and artisans welcome the influx of visitors. “Cervantino brings life to our city,” said María Torres, who sells hand-painted masks near Plaza de la Paz. “We expect record crowds this year.” City officials project a 12 percent increase in tourism revenue compared to 2024.
Economists note the festival’s positive ripple effects extend beyond ticket sales. Hotel occupancy rates often exceed 90 percent during the event, while restaurants and shops report surges in business. The festival also generates temporary jobs in event production, hospitality, and cultural education.
Looking ahead
As FIC approaches, organizers emphasize sustainability and local engagement. New initiatives include carbon-neutral lighting for outdoor stages and free admission for students from public schools. Festival volunteers will lead guided cultural tours, ensuring residents and tourists alike gain deeper insight into Guanajuato’s Spanish colonial heritage.
The 2025 edition promises to deepen artistic ties between Mexico and the United Kingdom. By inviting world-class performers and nurturing local talent, the Cervantino festival lineup underlines art’s power to unite diverse audiences. With two weeks of concerts, performances, and workshops ahead, Guanajuato prepares to once again become the beating heart of cultural innovation.
