10 Things to Do in Mexico City at Night

Like New York, Mexico City is known as the city that never sleeps, so you'll find plenty of things to do at night. Check out the best suggestions

Andressa García

Andressa García

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Mexico City at Night

Mexico by night | ©Carlos Adampol Galindo

It's normal to think of daytime activities when preparing for every trip, but I assure you that many of the best things to see and do in Mexico City are night-time plans. From strolling around at night and tasting the delicious street food to attending a wrestling show, the choice is vast.

Historical monuments and modern buildings come alive in the moonlight. You can also take a sightseeing tour of the historic centre, as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Plaza de la Constitución are places that are best seen at night.

1. Take a night walk in Mexico City

Alameda Central| ©Dan
Alameda Central| ©Dan

If you book a guided night tour of Mexico City you can see first-hand how the city comes alive at nightfall. You can start your tour at the Alameda Central, which has a very prominent lighting that will allow you to appreciate its fountains and other details around it.

Another place you can't miss is Paseo de la Reforma, where I recommend you to stroll along the busy avenue by bike or on foot, in the quiet of the night. It is also a good idea to visit the Monumento a la Revolución, which is another place that dazzles with its illumination. In general, it is a good plan to take a night tour around the city, to see the most incredible places when the sun goes down.

Interesting details

  • Price: you don't have to pay anything for these tours because all the places you will visit are public areas. But if you book a tour, it will cost approximately €25.
  • Duration: I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours to enjoy a large part of the city.
  • Means of transport: you can do the tour on foot, by bike or however you like.

Book a guided night tour of Mexico City

2. Tour Mexico City by night on a bus

Mexico by night| ©Jonathan Dias
Mexico by night| ©Jonathan Dias

If you book the Mexico City sightseeing bus tour you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Mexico City in an original way: you'll board a bus from where you'll be able to see the city in its entirety.

Your tour guide will take you to the most emblematic spots, including the Independence Monument and the Diana Cazadora fountain. You will also have the opportunity to admire a visit to the Palacio de Bellas Artes building, which is one of the most emblematic constructions in the city centre.

One of the things you will like the most about this tour in this kind of tourist bus of Mexico City, is that you will be able to admire the best panoramic views of the city from a comfortable place.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 19 € per person to participate in this tour.
  • Duration: the whole trip takes about an hour and a half.
  • Means of transport: the activity is completed in an open-top bus.
  • Advantages of this option: commentary is included throughout the tour. Also included is the trip in a tourist bus with all the amenities.
  • Disadvantages of this option: This tour does not include snacks, meals or drinks.

Hop on the tourist bus and tour Mexico City

3. Enjoy a Mexican wrestling show

Wrestling in Mexico| ©Emilio Olivares
Wrestling in Mexico| ©Emilio Olivares

Without a doubt, one of the best night-time activities you can do in the city is to book a wrestling experience in Mexico City This activity takes place at the Arena Mexico stadium, which is considered the cathedral of the sport in the country.

This adventure starts at the Capital Bus Zocalo stop, where you'll board an open-top bus that will take you on a panoramic tour of Mexico City. At the Arena Mexico stadium you will enjoy the wrestling show, a traditional Olympic sport in Mexico, characterised by its jumps and acrobatics outside the ring.

In addition, the experience includes two glasses of tequila or mezcal and a souvenir wrestler's mask.

Details of interest

  • Price: you will have to pay around 45 € to participate in this tour with wrestling show included.
  • Duration: the whole activity will take approximately 6 hours.
  • Means of transport: the whole trip is completed by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will have safe bus transport throughout the activity. An audio guide will inform you about traditional Mexican wrestling. A central preferential entrance to the Arena Mexico stadium is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: meals and drinks are not included.

Book a Wrestling Experience in Mexico City

4. Taste the Mexican gastronomy

Bellini Restaurant| ©Hernán García Crespo
Bellini Restaurant| ©Hernán García Crespo

If you've already booked a gastronomic tour in Mexico City, you'll want to check out one of the city's most famous restaurants, Bellini, where you'll have the chance to experience an unforgettable evening with panoramic views of the entire city. The Bellini revolving restaurant is located in the World Trade Center.

During the experience you will be able to enjoy a very good three-course dinner while the restaurant slowly rotates. With this incredible movement, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a 360-degree view of the illuminated city at dusk.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 75 € to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: The average duration of the dinner is 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The experience can be completed by car, minibus or bus.
  • Advantages of this option: Three-course dinner and a drink at the Bellini revolving restaurant is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Not wheelchair accessible. Extra expenses outside of dinner are not included.

Booking a gastronomic tour in Mexico City

5. Tour Mexico City by night and by bike

Streets of Mexico| ©uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs
Streets of Mexico| ©uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs

A great way to experience the city in a whole new way is to book a bike tour in Mexico City Look for a tour at dusk and admire the most emblematic places of the city under the starlight.

In the following post I inform you about the best bike tours in Mexico City where you can get to know the most popular neighbourhoods of the region such as Reforma, Roma, Condesa and Centro.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 44 € per person to enjoy this activity.
  • Duration: it will take you about 3 hours to complete the tour, although you can do it at your own pace.
  • Means of transport: the whole trip is completed by bicycle with lights.
  • Advantages of this option: the rental of the bike of your choice is included. You will be offered helmets, lights for the bikes and a bottle of water or cold beer if you prefer. Personal accident insurance is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: This tour does not include tips. Extra drinks are also not included.

Book a bike tour in Mexico City

6. Admire a folkloric ballet show in a palace

Palacio de Bellas Artes by night| ©Sir_Lee_
Palacio de Bellas Artes by night| ©Sir_Lee_

Your tour guide will take you from your hotel or accommodation to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where you will enjoy a ballet show. You are sure to enjoy the choreography because it is usually full of energy, joy and movement.

The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, of Amalia Hernandez, is renowned worldwide for its contribution to the recognition of Mexican folk dances from different periods and corners of the country. During this show, which is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Mexico City, you will be able to enjoy traditional dances from Oaxaca to Veracruz, passing through Chiapas, Guerrero and Jalisco.

You'll love this celebration of Mexican music and cultural roots. It may also convince you to book a tour of the Palaces of Mexico City if you haven't decided yet.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 108 € per person.
  • Duration: the show takes about 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: the transfer will be aboard a comfortable minibus.
  • Advantages of this option: transfer to and from your hotel or accommodation and tickets to the show are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Personal expenses, meals, drinks or snacks are not included.

Book a tour of the Palaces of Mexico City

7. Get to know the tradition of the Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead| ©Pablo Leautaud
Day of the Dead| ©Pablo Leautaud

If you are planning to visit Mexico City between the end of October and the beginning of November, you can't miss the Day of the Dead tradition. And to enjoy this tradition, there is nothing better than booking the Day of the Dead tour in Mexico City.

During this experience, you will get to know the most amazing stories related to the beings from beyond the grave while you navigate in the traditional trajineras through the canals of Xochimilco. This tour starts at Valentín Gómez Farías Street in the afternoon, to begin the night tour. Afterwards, you will go to the southern part of the Mexican capital to board the typical trajineras.

While on board, you will learn various stories related to the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. Your guide will tell you all about who La Catrina was and how this popular character came to be, as well as a couple of other Day of the Dead stories.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 73 € to experience this tour in Xochimilco.
  • Duration: It will take you about 7-8 hours to complete this tour.
  • Means of transport: the whole tour is completed by minibus or bus and trajineras.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be accompanied by an expert tour guide and tickets to get on the trajineras are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Additional snacks, meals or drinks are not included in the package.

Book the Day of the Dead tour in Mexico City

8. Take an excursion from Mexico City to the Firefly Sanctuary in Tlaxcala

Firefly Sanctuary| ©Omar Godinez
Firefly Sanctuary| ©Omar Godinez

Believe it or not, one of the best night-time activities you can do is to sign up for an excursion from Mexico City, and enjoy nature and the unique experience of visiting the firefly sanctuary in Tlaxcala. During the activity you will be immersed in the Mexican countryside and walk along wooden trails while admiring the firefly dance.

This phenomenon is unique and only takes place between June and August, so it's one of those activities I would include among the best things to see and do in Mexico City in July In the middle of the tour, you can walk along the path through the forest and the local ecosystem, but you can also spend three hours getting into the local nature and enjoying the beautiful firefly dance.

Details of interest

  • Price: you will have to pay around 88 € per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: the tour lasts approximately 9 hours.
  • Means of transport: the whole trip is done by bus from Mexico City.
  • Advantages of this option: Transport to and from Mexico City is included, as well as the entrance fee and the company of a certified guide.
  • Disadvantages of this option: meals and drinks are not included. No flash cameras or other light-emitting devices are allowed.

Book a tour from Mexico City

9. Sign up for a bar crawl in Centro Historico

Tasting mezcal| ©Quate Kakaguate
Tasting mezcal| ©Quate Kakaguate

This bar crawl experience in Mexico City's historic district will give you an insight into Mexican culture and a variety of bars. At each bar you will enjoy a traditional alcoholic beverage, such as tequila, mezcal, pulque and Mexican beer.

At each bar, you will also enjoy typical Mexican entertainment, ranging from live music to drag queen shows and mariachi bands.

During the five-stop tour, you can enjoy the different flavours of drinks and listen to the music and songs that represent Mexican culture.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 88 € to enjoy this activity.
  • Duration: it will take you between 4 and 5 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: you will do the whole adventure in a comfortable air-conditioned bus.
  • Advantages of this option: Mexican beer, mezcal, tequila and Pulque shots are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: snacks and tacos, as well as soft drinks, are at your own expense.

Book a Mariachi and Tequila Experience in Mexico City

10. Be frightened by the spectacle of the legend of La Llorona in Xochimilco

Xochimilco| ©Anne and David
Xochimilco| ©Anne and David

This is undoubtedly a unique show in Xochimilco, as during the event you will have the opportunity to discover the story of La Llorona, one of the most traditional characters of Mexican culture. The show consists of a performance that combines theatre, dance and music.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel or accommodation in Mexico City to take you to the neighbourhood of Xochimilco, where you will enjoy a magical ride in a trajinera (watercraft) along the canals until you reach the venue of the event, which you will experience from this aquatic vehicle. As the show unfolds, you'll get to know the character's story in detail.

But you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Mexican music, with instruments such as the marimba, the harp and the guitar, which are mixed with the sounds of the ancient instruments made of bone and clay. Without a doubt, it is a tour that I recommend you to include among the best things to do in October, when the Halloween season is in fashion.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay around 92 € per person to enjoy this tour.
  • Duration: approximately two hours.
  • Means of transport: the tour is completed by minibus or bus and also by trajineras.
  • Advantages of this option: transport is offered by minibus or bus and includes trajinera tickets through the canals of Xochimilco and entrance to the show of the legend of La Llorona.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the tour does not include dinner, snacks and drinks.