Mexico City in October: Weather, Events & Seasonal Tips

October in Mexico City is the best!

It’s been 6 years since I moved here and it’s safe to say that Mexico City in October has stolen my heart. Everything from the weather to the build-up of Dia de Muertos makes the city feel so alive. 

Temperatures are not too hot, not too cold, the rainy season is coming to an end, the air is fresh, and skies are blue – it’s a gorgeous time of year!

You can still get away with wearing dresses but you’ll probably be most comfortable in jeans, short-sleeves, and a sweater or light jacket at night. 

You’re probably not only wondering about the weather or what to wear but also if there are any Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) activities in October – spoiler, there are!

I’ll go over everything you need to know about the weather in October, what you should wear, and a couple of early Día de Muertos events to check out so you can enjoy Mexico City as much as I do this time of year!

Weather in Mexico City in October

It’s hard to beat the weather in Mexico City in October. The days are warm, but not hot, the afternoon showers are less frequent, and the sky is mostly clear and blue. 

October is one of my favorite months in Mexico City because even though we may not experience fall colors, you can still feel that fall is in the air.

Temperatures start to get chilly at night (but not too cold) and there’s something special about the light and the extra-blueness of the sky this time of year – I soak it up every fall!

It’s a great time to do outdoor activities like visiting the pyramids of Teotihuacan, cruising the canals of Xochimilco, or simply roaming the streets of neighborhoods like Roma Norte, Condesa, Coyoacan, or Centro.

Average Temperatures in Mexico City in October

Temperatures start to cool down significantly starting in October and keep dropping until spring. 

Luckily, it’s almost always warm and sunny during the day, around 75ºF (24ºC). Mornings and nights are when you’ll start to notice it gets chilly and the temperature drops to around 49ºF (9ºC).

Because of Mexico City’s high elevation (7,349ft / 2,240m), the temperature change between day and night becomes more drastic as we move into fall and winter. 

We’re surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and thick forests once you make it out of the city, so if you’re expecting a tropical climate like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta you’ve got the wrong idea and are in for a bit of a (pleasant) surprise.

Mexico City has an incredible climate that’s comfortable year-round but I think the weather in October is extra special. 

Average High: 75ºF (24ºC) Average Low: 49ºF (9ºC)

Average Rainfall in Mexico City in October

October is when the rainy season slowly starts to come to an end. 

Some years it’s rainier than others, but overall October sees much less rain than July, August, or September in Mexico City. 

Expect fewer rainy days (especially at the beginning of October), and the closer to November you visit, the less likely you’ll experience afternoon showers.

Still, you’ll want to bring an umbrella just in case. 

Try and plan your outdoor excursions in the morning before noon if it’s raining when you visit. 

Average Sunshine in Mexico City in October

October starts to see an uptick in sunshine after the rainy and partly cloudy summer months. 

It’s a great time of year to be outside exploring in and around Mexico City because you’ll have plenty of sunny days but the rays and heat won’t be as intense as in the spring and you won’t have to work around as many rain showers as you do in the summer. 

For me, there’s nothing better than sitting outdoors at a coffee shop in Roma Norte or going for an afternoon walk with my dog on a sunny fall day. 

Pollution in Mexico City in October

Air pollution is relatively low in October and the air still feels fresh even though it’s not raining as much. 

Generally, summer and fall have the best air quality. It’s not until the rain stops in winter and spring that the smog starts to accumulate.

If you have allergies, asthma, or just want to avoid poor air quality, October is a great time to visit to enjoy cleaner air and clearer skies.

Mexican Holidays in October

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is on November 1st and 2nd, but the celebrations in Mexico City often start as early as mid-October. 

Dia de Muertos decorations and artwork are usually displayed for most of October in the weeks leading up to Day of the Dead and the huge parade.

Events & Things to do in October for Día de Muertos

Although Dia de Muertos isn’t until November 1st and 2nd, there are still a couple of official events happening in October before the holiday. These are great things to do if you want to get in the spirit early or won’t be around for the big Day of the Dead weekend. 

Either way, Mexico City is an incredible place to celebrate Day of the Dead!

1. Attend the Alebrije Parade – October 19th (12pm)

Not to be confused with the main Dia de Muertos Parade on November 2nd, the Alebrije parade on October 19th is worth attending if you won’t be around for the main parade but still want to get a taste of Dia de Muertos festivities. 

It’s a parade for the artists and their spectacular alebrije creations (larger-than-life, colorful mythical creatures) before they go on display for a few weeks on Avenida Reforma. 

The parade starts October 16th at 12pm in the Zocalo in the Historic Center and finishes at the Angel of Independence on Reforma. 

2. Walk Along Avenida Reforma for Festive Vibes

The weeks leading up to Dia de Muertos are filled with bright orange cempaxochitl flowers (aka Mexican marigolds) and stunning artwork on display. 

There is no better place than Avenida Reforma to take it all in. This iconic avenue is lined with beautiful cempaxochitl flowers for miles and miles.

It’s also where they display local artwork like the fantastical alebrijes from the Alebrije Parade. After the parade, you will find them on Reforma from October 19 until the Day of the Dead in November. 

3. Try Pan de Muerto and Sip Hot Chocolate

Pan de Muerto is a special type of sweet bread made for Dia de Muertos on November 1st and 2nd. Traditionally, it would be baked for families to eat and enjoy on the holiday as well as placed on the altar of departed loved ones as an offering. 

Today, you can find it sold in supermarkets as early as August, but I like to wait until October when it really starts to feel like Dia de Muertos season. 

You can find pan de muerto at most grocery stores and cafes. If you want to visit the famous Rosetta Bakery, be sure to try one there and order a hot chocolate or coffee to go along with it. 

4. Have Your Face Painted and Watch the Catrina Parade – October 27th

On October 27, also along Avenida Reforma, there is a parade for the famous Mexican Catrinas. 

Catrinas are female skeletons colorfully adorned with hats, dresses, and flowers, but in the case of the Catrina Parade, they are also living people who paint their faces to look like skulls and wear traditional clothing or elaborate costumes.  

You can watch the parade of men and women (catrines & catrinas) show off their vibrant costumes along Reforma and even take part in the festivities yourself by having your face painted by a local artist along the parade.

What to Wear in Mexico City in October

The first time I visited Mexico City in the fall, I made the mistake of not packing warm clothes. I wasn’t prepared for the nighttime dip in temperature so I eventually had to buy warmer clothes for our nights out.

I think a lot of people (myself included) make the mistake of assuming Mexico City is as warm as the beaches – and it’s definitely not!

For October, dress in layers. You’ll be comfortable in jeans and long pants all day because even at its warmest it’s unlikely to get hotter than 80ºF (27ºC), and you’ll be happy to have your legs covered at night when it starts to cool down.

During the day, short-sleeve tops and even dresses are great. Come nighttime, you’ll want a sweater or light jacket to cover up with when you’re enjoying a cocktail at a rooftop bar in Centro or eating dinner al fresco at one of Roma Norte’s best restaurants. 

Locals dress modestly so it’s important to consider the local culture and safety when deciding what to wear. 

Jeans & Trousers – Jeans are my go-to year-round and October is no exception. It doesn’t get too hot where long pants would be uncomfortable and they are a must if you plan on going out at night when it’s chilly.

Short & Long Sleeve Tops – During the day, short sleeves are perfect. The sun will keep you plenty warm and you might even get a sunburn while walking around Centro. Long-sleeve tops are great for early mornings or nights when it starts to cool down. 

Sweaters & Light Jacket – You definitely will want to bring a couple of sweaters and a light jacket for October. You won’t need them during the day, but once the sun goes down the temperature can reach 49ºF (9ºC). 

Dresses & Skirts – If you are a skirt and dress lover, you can still comfortably wear them in October. Keep them closer to mid-thigh to knee length and avoid anything super short if you don’t want to attract too many stares. 

Comfortable Shoes – Mexico City is extremely walkable and I think exploring on foot is the best way to take it all in. Bring at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes along with any cute shoes for a nice dinner out. 

Umbrella – You may not see much rain, especially if you visit later in the month, but October is still technically the rainy season. Bring a travel umbrella just in case.

Final Thoughts – Is Mexico City Worth Visiting in October?

I 100% recommend visiting Mexico City in October. 

If you couldn’t already tell, I think the weather is fabulous and the festive Dia de Muertos vibes make this such a special time of year.

Get ready for warm afternoons with blue skies while exploring things to do in Roma Norte and chilly evenings sipping a mezcal or cocktail at an open-air bar. 

Get into the Day of the Dead spirit early with the Catrinas and Alebrijes parade and be sure to check out the gorgeous marigold flowers that line the grand Avenida Reforma.