Things to do in Guadalajara

20 activities, venues and outings in Guadalajara, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Atlas Country Club
One of the best courses in Guadalajara is an 18-hole course designed by Joe Finger. Caddies are required and visitor greens fees often include the caddie service.
Mon-Fri 07:00 - 21:00, but check weekend hours, which may be much shorter
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Club de Golf Santa Anita
Classic 18-hole course with hills, long fairways, and a challenging final 4 holes. Facilities include a driving range, putting greens, a pro shop, a clubhouse with an upscale dining room, and outdoor patios to relax with a drink, enjoying the scenery.
Tue-Sun 11:00 - 19:00, closed Mon
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El Cielo Country Club
Affordable greens fees combined with challenging elevation drops and spectacular scenery with backgrounds of the city skyline and the nearby mountain ranges make this one of the most popular courses for visiting golfers.
Tue-Sun 07:00 - 19:00, closed Mon
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Estadio Akron
formerly Estadio Omnilife
This is the stadium where most of the outdoor events for the 2011 Pan-American Games were held, and—more importantly—where the most popular football team in the city and the whole country. The stadium's home team, Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), has played since 2010. Chivas plays here every other Saturday at 19:00, unless otherwise specified. If you happen to be in Guadalajara on a Saturday, you are most likely to find either a Chivas football game in this stadium, or an Atlas game at Estadio Jalisco (below). Big games to watch out are Chivas vs. Atlas (which can be held in either stadiums depending on which one is scheduled as the home team) and Chivas vs. América—the "National Superclassic" (superclásico nacional)—as these teams are bitter rivals. Either of these match-ups are sure to sell out the stadium and treat those lucky enough to get tickets to an intense atmosphere. Estadio Akron is a difficult place to reach by public transport. It is close to the Periférico Oriente, so taking a taxi is the best option. Alternatively, use any bus that will go around Periférico and you'll eventually get there, just ask the driver to let you know when you are there, since the stadium's visibility from Periférico is very limited. Two museums inside Estadio Akron should not be missed. Museo Chivas is a soccer museum focused on the stadium's home team, Chivas, who are widely regarded as the most popular football team in Mexico. The museum chronicles the team's long history, with bios, statistics, and outstanding achievements of its players. The second museum is Jose Vergara Museo, known as JOVEM. This museum has nothing to do with soccer, making it an unlikely resident of the stadium. It is a design museum, focusing on the intersection of art and architecture. Guides are available to walk through the museum with you, explaining humanistic values comprising design elements.
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Estadio Jalisco
Jalisco Stadium
It's in Colonia Independencia, and can be reached by taking any bus along the Calzada Independencia and asking for the Estadio Jalisco. You will almost definitely see it if you look out, it will be on your left as you come from the center. Here the football team Atlas plays. Chivas used to play on this stadium until 2010, when Estadio Akron was completed. During the season there are league games every other Saturday. If Atlas is playing as a visitor, then you can look for a Chivas game at Estadio Akron. A big game to watch out for is Atlas vs. Chivas, which has an incredible atmosphere, though most games are worth experiencing. If you are of a nervous disposition, perhaps avoid the upper stands when there is a large crowd as it's known to shake when the crowds begin to jump.
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Estadio Los Charros de Jalisco
Estadio Panamericano
Modern, state-of-the-art baseball stadium that is home field for both the Charros de Jalisco (Pacific League, winter) and the Mariachis de Guadalajara (Mexican League, summer). The stadium is modern with unobstructed sight lines. Small, intimate park seating just 8,000 fans. Very clean and comfortable. Beware: Inconvenient, fan-hostile payment policies. The stadium requires you to buy their own payment card and use it for any purchases in the stadium (though credit cards are accepted for ticket purchase). The stadium is also difficult to reach as there is no parking and nearby access roads are blocked on game days. Take public transit, taxis, or Ubers and don't be surprised if they drop you off in an oddly uninviting neighborhood.
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Estadio Tres de Marzo
March 3rd Stadium
The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara's football stadium in the north of the city, where "Los Estudiantes" play, is named for the date of the founding of the university in 1935. The Estudiantes play in the Primera Liga along with the other Guadalajara teams, Atlas and Chivas.
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Expo Guadalajara
Largest event venue in Mexico. Hosts major industrial trade shows throughout the year.
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Filharmonica de Jalisco
Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra
One of Mexico's top professional orchestras, the Jalisco Philharmonic celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. The orchestra performs three full seasons of classical music from January to December each year under the direction of Jose Luis Castillo. The orchestra frequently tours abroad. The concert hall is a showcase of opulence that will be appreciated by students of music, architecture, and history.
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Guachimontones
A pre-Columbian archaeological site near the town of Teuchitlán, about an hour west of Guadalajara, that dates to the period between 300 BC and 900 AD and is known for its unique circular stepped pyramids. This complex of more than 40 hectares was only discovered in the 1970s
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Nuevo Progreso Bullring
Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso
It's right across the road from the Estadio Jalisco, just off Calzada Independencia. Bullfights take place at the Plaza Nuevo Progreso during the season on Sundays at 16:30. Those arriving by bus might not be able to see the bullring from the street, as it's hidden behind some trees, so get off when you see the Estadio Jalisco and go in the opposite direction. Be aware that Bullfighting is controversial and local courts blocked bullfights. Higher appellate courts may or may not have reversed the decision, but if you really want to see bullfights in Guadalajara, you may need to go to one of the suburbs that have their own bullrings (such as Tlaqapaque).
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Parque Bicentenario Puente de Calderon
45 km in the east. This 17th-century stone bridge was the site of the key Battle of the Bridge of Calderón in 1811 in the Mexican War of Independence.
07:00-18:00 daily
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Teatro Diana
Modern performing arts venue built in 2005, hosting concerts, opera, ballet and other events. Seats about 2,400 patrons.
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Christmas
Navidad
A Tapatío Christmas tradition that you may witness if you're in Guadalajara over the holidays is known as "Las Posadas" (The Inns). Children parade through the neighborhood recreating the passage of Joseph and Mary through Bethlehem, asking for shelter and being refused. Generally nowadays this is a celebration for family and friends, but if you know a Mexican, it's a great way to experience Mexican culture firsthand. Regular appearances include piñatas, mariachi bands, Mexican beer, tequila and general merriment.
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Foundation of Guadalajara
Fundación de Guadalajara
Held on February 14th, this is a celebration to commemorate the foundation of the city of Guadalajara on that day in 1542.
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Guadalajara Film Festival
Festival Internacional del Cine de Guadalajara
The biggest film festival in Latin America and one of the most important showcases for Mexican and Latin American cinema on the world stage, the Festival Internacional del Cine de Guadalajara takes place annually in early March. A bevy of awards are given in all categories of film, and it also serves as a forum for education and creative interchange among Latin American cineasts.
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Independence Day
Día de la Independencia
Visitors who find themselves in Guadalajara on 16 September are in for a festive and patriotic treat. One traditional way that Tapatíos enjoy celebrating this holiday is with a reenactment of the "Cry of Pain" (Grito de Dolores), the incident that, in 1810, kicked off the war that ended with Mexico's independence from Spain. At the stroke of midnight, locals go to the main square and shout out in unison: half yell "Viva" and the other half "México", going on to the names of important heroes of Mexican history: "Viva Hidalgo", "Viva Morelos", and so on.
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International Book Fair
Feria Internacional del Libro
The "FIL" takes place from late November to early December in Guadalajara. Companies and delegations come from all over the world to exhibit their books and see books from other places. Every year a country or region serves as the guest of honor, presenting books that represent its particular literary tradition.
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International Mariachi and Charrería Conference
Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charrería
Mariachi bands from all over Mexico and the world meet the last week of August and the first week of September, usually at Teatro Degollado and the surrounding area, to play and compete for the delight of fans. You won't witness anything like this unique event anywhere else.
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Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Zapopan
Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan
Celebrated in Guadalajara on 12 October, this event honors the local Virgin Mary figure of the Guadalajara area, the Virgen de Zapopan. On this day, over a million people parade the famous statuette from the downtown cathedral to its home in the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan. This festival is only celebrated in the Guadalajara area, and is one of the largest examples of a romería outside Spain. It is inscribed by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Guadalajara (CC BY-SA 4.0).