JOYÀ by Cirque du Soleil
From the creators of Cirque du Soleil, this whimsical show follows the adventures of a rebellious teenage girl swept away to a mysterious jungle. Several ticket packages are available.
10 Best Performing Arts Venues in Mexico
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We've compiled the best of the best in Mexico - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Teatro La Capilla
Founded in 1953 by the gay playwright and poet Salvador Novo, who's sometimes referred to as Mexico's Oscar Wilde, this intimate theater hosts a wide range of mostly contemporary indie plays. Productions rotate often, and there's something going on virtually every night of the week. It's one of the best small theaters in the city, and many performances are geared to kids and teens. There's also a bar and restaurant attached.
Auditorio Nacional
A popular concert venue, you can also watch a variety of performing arts here, including opera, ballet, and rock concerts by Mexican artists. The great part about this space is that there are really no bad seats. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or on Ticketmaster. If you buy at the box office, tickets are buy one, get one free on Thursday.
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Ballet Folklórico de México
The world-renowned Ballet Folklórico de México is a visual feast of Mexican regional folk dances in whirling colors. Lavish and professional, it's one of the country's most popular shows. Though the offices and rehearsal space are in the colonia Guerrero, performances are held at the Palacio de Bellas Artes on Wednesday at 8:30 pm and Sunday at 9:30 am and 8:30 pm or 9 pm, with additional shows scheduled intermittently throughout the year (check the website for more information). Tickets range in price MP370--MP1,560 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster or directly at the Bellas Artes box office. Most hotels and travel agencies can also secure tickets.
Cinepolis
On a sweltering hot or rainy afternoon, slip into Cinepolis. The modern, multiscreen theater shows current hit films in Spanish and English at afternoon matinees and nightly shows. When buying your ticket, select your seats on the computer screen and then head over for some reasonably priced food and drinks at the snack bar.
Cinépolis VIP La Isla
Leather reclining sofas with trays and blankets are just the beginning of the VIP experience at this cinema, which is rounded out by full gourmet menus and alcoholic drinks.
La Titería
Also known as Casa de las Marionetas, or House of Puppets, this small kids-oriented cultural center and theater uses (you guessed it) puppets in its theater and music performances but also shows films and offers other kinds of family-friendly programming.
Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional
Mexico's National Symphony Orchestra plays regularly throughout the season at the Palacio Bellas Artes, along with visiting orchestras from around the globe. It's one of the best (and most affordable) excuses to enter the iconic building's spectacular main hall. Tickets range from MP1,000 to MP180.
Teatro Metropólitan
Opened in the 1940s as a cinema, the Metropólitan closed down following the 1985 earthquake that devastated the city and did not reopen until more than a decade later when it reopened the doors to its neoclassical hall in the form of a top concert venue. Today, the Teatro Metropólitan plays host to major pop and rock acts from Mexico and around the world.
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
Pop into the university's main building to check the bulletin boards just inside the entrance for upcoming cultural events. The Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán presents a combination of music, dance, and theater performances (think Mexico City's famous Ballet Folklórico de México, but on a smaller scale). The shows are typically free, though the schedule is inconsistent.
