JUL 8 – AUG 20: X Festival of Adventure Tourism (Festival de Turismo de Aventura)–Chihuahua, Chihuahua State. Athletes compete for cash prizes at this festival featuring everything from marathons and triathlons to mountain biking and sand-boarding. Some of the competitions include: mountain cycling (July 8th – 9th), Wakeboard in Lago Colina (Jul 15th – 16th), Ultra marathon of Los Cañones in Guachochi (Jul 22nd – 23rd), Rally 4×4 in Chihuahua (Jul 28th – 30th), Triathlon in Creel (Aug 5th – 6th), Adventure dunes in Samalayuca (Aug 12th-13th), and Races 1/8 miles in Ojinaga (19th-20th). If the competition doesn’t take your breath away, the lush scenery will. For more information please visit www.chihuahua.gob.mx/turismoweb

JUL 13-23: XXI Annual International “ROSETE ARANDA” Puppet Festival–Huamantla, Tlaxcala. A time-honored tradition in Mexico, more than 15 cities in the state of Tlaxcala will be hosting this festival. For two weeks, a multitude of puppeteers and puppets of all colors, shapes and sizes will invade Mexico’s smallest state. Performers come from Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Hungary and numerous other states in Mexico.

JUL 13 -19: 11th Villista Cavalcade—Chihuahua, Chihuahua. Chihuahua will host its annual weeklong cavalcade from the city of Chihuahua to Hidalgo del Parral, covering more than 136 miles of scenic Chihuahuan countryside. While the first cavalcade took place in 1996 with less than five hundred riders, more than 1,300 riders are expected to participate this year. For more information, visit www.chihuahua.gob.mx or contact Rita Meraz from the tourism office at merazrita@hotmail.com.

JUL 14-23: VI Nueva Paquime Festival—Casas Grandes, Chihuahua. This festival, taking place in Casas Grandes, just outside the renowned Paquime archaeological site (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998), is a celebration of the heritage and cultures of northern Mexico, featuring, parades, art contests, concerts, poetry readings, children’s workshops and much more.

JUL 17 and 24: Guelaguetza–Oaxaca, Oaxaca State. Dating back to prehispanic times when the festival was offered to the gods in hopes of a bountiful harvest, this event brings together delegations from the region’s seven indigenous cultures. Traditional songs and dances are performed by each group, and objects and handicrafts typical to each region are also on display.

JUL 22-29: International Film Festival, Short Expression 2006 (El Festival de Expresion en Corto 2006)–Guanajuato, Guanajuato State. An annual film festival showcasing short films and documentaries and awarding the creators of outstanding films with the materials and equipment needed to continue their art. Every year, a country is spotlighted at the festival as the special guest of honor, with a variety of activities that provide a deeper look into the film culture, history and contemporary trends of the guest country. This year, France is the special guest of honor. http://www.expresionencorto.com/ingles/index.html or e-mail info@expresionencorto.com.

JUL 26: National Sarape Fair (Feria Nacional de Sarape)–Santa Ana Chiautempan, Tlaxcala. The renowned rectangular “sarape” shawls, one of Mexico’s traditional textile handicrafts, are spotlighted every year at this annual fair.

JUL 28 – 29: Acapulco’s First Juvenile Cliff Diving Tournament – Acapulco, Guerrero. Acapulco’s First Juvenile Cliff Diving Tournament is slated to take place on July 28 and 29 at La Quebrada. The Association of Professional Cliff Divers is expecting 22 competitors between the ages of 16 and 25, and approximately $2,000 USD will be disbursed among the first, second, and third place winners. Twelve-year-old Iris Celene Alvarez, Guinness World Record holder as the youngest to jump from La Quebrada, will host the event. For more information visit: http://pre.guerrero.gob.mx

JUL 28 - AUG 13: International Amber Expo (Expo Ambar Internacional)–San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Mexican amber, with its magical colors, brilliant finishes and age-old history, is considered by many the finest in the world. With the goal of developing and integrating the amber artist community of Chiapas and promoting international recognition, this expo highlights the hand-crafted jewels of the region. Forty-eight different tones can be found in Chiapas amber, which is exhibited in a variety of forms at the event from sculptures to articles of jewelry. Please visit: www.expo-ambar.com.mx

JUL 29 – AUG 12: 28th International Chamber Music Festival (Festival Internacional de Musica de Camara)–San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. A classical music festival to bid farewell to the summer, featuring award-winning international ensembles, guest musicians and local artists performing in the city’s beautiful open gardens and the grand gothic cathedral.