From August 21 to 23, Tulum will host the 2026 Lobster Festival, featuring culinary competitions, sports activities, live music, dancing, a cycling event, and a 5-kilometer race. The festival aims to boost the local economy while promoting Tulum and its communities as tourism destinations.
The Tulum City Council announced the 2026 edition of the Lobster Festival, which will take place from August 21 to 23, with activities scheduled in Punta Allen and downtown Tulum. The event is part of an ongoing strategy to strengthen local cuisine, promote tourism, and create economic opportunities for communities throughout the municipality.
Gastronomy and Tourism Promotion
Tourism Director Haydée Hernández explained that one of the festival’s main objectives is to strengthen Tulum’s culinary offerings while creating new economic opportunities for local communities.
“This festival seeks to continue strengthening Tulum’s culinary offerings and creating opportunities for our communities. We are working closely with the Department of Economic Development. Everyone is invited to join us for these three days of activities, all centered around the star ingredient of our dishes: lobster.”
The festival program includes culinary, sports, cultural, and entertainment activities, along with opportunities for local restaurants, hotels, residents, and visitors to participate.
Punta Allen Opens the Festival on August 21
The festival will officially begin on Friday, August 21, in Punta Allen, with an opening ceremony.
Starting at 11:00 a.m., visitors can enjoy sports competitions, a lobster cooking competition, and a contest featuring costumes made from recycled materials. The day will also include live music and dancing.
These activities are designed to highlight one of the region’s most representative products while strengthening Punta Allen’s presence as an important destination within Tulum’s tourism offering.
Festival Activities Continue in Tulum on August 22 and 23
On August 22 and 23, the Lobster Festival will continue in downtown Tulum.
The scheduled activities include a 5-kilometer race, food sales by local restaurants and hotels, a lobster cooking competition, a cycling event, traditional folkloric dancing, and live musical performances.
The event will give local restaurants and hotels an opportunity to showcase different culinary creations featuring lobster, while residents and tourists can enjoy recreational and cultural activities throughout the weekend.
According to the Tulum City Council, the festival is expected to generate greater economic activity for tourism service providers, local producers, restaurants, hotels, and communities connected to the region’s tourism and culinary industries.
With the 2026 Lobster Festival, Tulum aims to further promote both Punta Allen and downtown Tulum through an event that brings together gastronomy, culture, sports, music, and community experiences.
General Festival Program
Friday, August 21 – Punta Allen
- Official opening ceremony
- Sports activities beginning at 11:00 a.m.
- Lobster cooking competition
- Costume contest featuring recycled materials
- Live music and dancing
Saturday, August 22 & Sunday, August 23 – Tulum
- 5-kilometer race
- Food sales from local restaurants and hotels
- Lobster cooking competition
- Cycling event
- Traditional folkloric dancing
