Guadalajara sits at 1,500 metres elevation, which keeps temperatures pleasant year-round. Expect warm days (mid-20s to low 30s Celsius) and cool nights. The rainy season runs June to October with afternoon downpours that clear quickly.
Spring and autumn are the sweet spot -- comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices than the winter high season. Summer works fine if you do not mind occasional rain, and the greenery is at its best.
Fiestas de Octubre -- The entire month of October is one long party: music, dancing, food, carnivals, art displays, and street entertainment. This is Guadalajara at its most exuberant.
International Mariachi Festival -- Late August brings mariachi groups from across Mexico and beyond. Live concerts fill the centre plazas, and the atmosphere is electric.
Founding Day -- February 14 marks the anniversary of the city's founding. Two weeks of parties, marathons, and live music follow, centred on the main plazas and the university.
Romeria de la Virgen de Zapopan -- In mid-October, massive parades honour the city's patron saint.
Feria de Tonala -- A handicrafts festival running from late March into April, centred on the Tonala neighbourhood. Good for picking up ceramics and pottery.
Day of the Dead -- November 2 is observed at local cemeteries and in the museums. An interesting time to see local traditions.
International Book Fair -- A two-week expo in late November extending into December, one of the largest in the Spanish-speaking world. Exhibitions, concerts, and author appearances.