Arena Festival Playa del Carmen 2026

Arena Festival Playa del Carmen 2026 takes place from Thursday, January 29th, to Monday, February 2nd. This world-famous party transforms the heart of the Riviera Maya into Mexico’s largest LGBTQ+ music festival.

About Arena Festival Playa del Carmen 2026

If the idea of attending a four-day-long beach and jungle party excites you, then this may be the festival for you. This festival has been running since 2012 and has grown to become an event that the gay community looks forward to all year. Arena Festival Playa del Carmen 2026 is renowned for featuring DJs such as Ben Bakson and Jair Sandoval. 

What should you expect?

At this festival, there are drag performances, fire shows, and go-go dancers all prepared to show you the best time. Expect the party to go on until the morning, the location to be gorgeous, and a sea of shirtless gay men. Arena Festival Playa del Carmen is hosted in the Riviera Maya, which is a major tourist destination for a reason; this resort district generates more tourism than all of Brazil. There is plenty to do in this location, whether it be going for a refreshing swim in the Caribbean ocean, sightseeing, or, in this case, partying. What more could you want?  

How to get there and where to stay?

Arrive at the Cancun airport and take a taxi or transfer to Arena Festival Playa del Carmen, which should be around a 45-minute drive. There is an option to camp at the festival; however, if you would like a hotel in the Riviera Maya area, here is a list of gay friendly hotels that you can stay at. It may also be a good idea to consider staying to explore the area after or before the festival to make your trip to Mexico unforgettable.