Festival Internacional de José Alfredo Jiménez (FIJAJ) 2026

José Alfredo Jiménez, the most important songwriter in the history of Mexican ranchera music, was born in Dolores Hidalgo in 1926. Each November his hometown honors him with the Festival Internacional de José Alfredo Jiménez (FIJAJ), a multi-day celebration of Mexican popular song, mariachi, and the cantina culture that shaped some of the country’s most beloved music.

Jiménez wrote the songs that became the soundtrack of Mexico — El Rey, Caminos de Guanajuato, Si Nos Dejan, Paloma Querida — more than a thousand compositions that were interpreted by everyone from Pedro Infante to Vicente Fernández to contemporary artists across Latin America. He was buried, at his own request, near his hometown, and the festival keeps his legacy at the center of the region’s cultural calendar.

What to Expect

The festival fills the streets and plazas of Dolores Hidalgo with music and art. Past editions have brought together mariachi ensembles, bolero trios, and symphonic performances, alongside exhibitions, film screenings, and literary colloquia. A signature feature is the guided recorrido por las cantinas, a tour of the historic cantinas where Jiménez composed many of his most famous songs.

• Concerts by national and international guest artists
• Mariachi, ranchera, and bolero performances in plazas and venues
• Art and gastronomy expositions
• Lyric-composition contests and cultural colloquia
• Cantina tours through Dolores Hidalgo’s historic center

Guest artists in recent editions have included Ely Guerra, Lolita Cortés, Shaila Dúrcal, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Guanajuato, Natalia Lafourcade, Los Ángeles Negros, Reyli Barba, and Alicia Villarreal.

Practical Information

Dolores Hidalgo is roughly a 45-minute drive from San Miguel de Allende, making the festival an easy day or evening trip. Most events are free or low-cost, with a handful of headline concerts requiring tickets. The historic center is compact and walkable, so it is easy to move between stages, expositions, and the cantina circuit on foot.

For anyone who loves ranchera music — or simply wants to experience one of Guanajuato’s most authentic cultural festivals — FIJAJ is a highlight of the late-autumn calendar.