Tlaxcala has set the dates for its 2026 firefly season in Nanacamilpa and Calpulalpan. Officials expect more than 120,000 visitors between June 10 and August 9, with access limited to 23 certified centers. The limits are part of the state’s effort to manage tourism in the forest areas where firefly viewing takes place. Visitors will need to use authorized centers and follow the guide instructions during nighttime visits.
Tlaxcala sets dates for 2026 firefly season
Tlaxcala’s 2026 firefly season will run from June 10 to August 9 in Nanacamilpa and Calpulalpan, state and federal tourism officials announced.
Authorities expect more than 120,000 visitors during the season. They estimate the event will generate about 65 million pesos in local economic activity.
The presentation was led by federal Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora and Tlaxcala Governor Lorena Cuéllar Cisneros. State Tourism Secretary Fabricio Mena Rodríguez also took part.
Visits limited to certified centers
Access will be limited to 23 certified centers. Officials said the measure is meant to control visitor flow in the forest areas where firefly viewing takes place.
The season will operate with regulated capacity, environmental rules, monitoring, and certified guides. Visitors are expected to use authorized centers and stay on approved routes.
The firefly viewing takes place during the rainy season, when the insects appear in the forest as part of their mating cycle. Night visits require low light and limited noise, according to the rules normally used at the viewing sites.
Local businesses expect seasonal income
The season brings income to guides, lodging operators, food vendors, artisans, and local service providers in the region.
Officials also promoted nearby tourism activities, including pulque routes and historic haciendas. The main draw remains the guided nighttime viewing in the forest.
Foreign residents planning a visit should confirm that a center is certified before booking. Access rules may vary by site, but authorized guides and designated routes are central to the season.
