June will begin with one of the major global events of the year: the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City. But the Latin American calendar goes far beyond football. Across the region, the agenda also includes popular celebrations, professional gatherings, music markets, and major cultural ceremonies.
From Brazil to Cusco, from Medellín to San José, these events offer another way to understand tourism activity during the month: through traditions deeply rooted in local life, industry challenges, living culture, and international visibility.
Festas Juninas — Brazil (throughout June)
In Brazil, the month of June is inseparable from the Festas Juninas. Rooted in Catholic traditions introduced by the Portuguese during the colonial era, these celebrations honor Saint Anthony, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Peter on June 13, 24, and 29 respectively.
Festivities take place across the country, with especially important celebrations in Campina Grande and the state of Pernambuco, where the program can extend over several weeks. Concerts, fairs, quadrilha dances, performances, and open-air entertainment transform public spaces into temporary festival cities.
These celebrations maintain a strong connection with the agricultural calendar and the memory of rural life. Traditional costumes, bonfires, and seasonal cuisine all play a central role.
III Ibero-American Tourism Forum — San Pedro Sula, Honduras (June 1–3)
For its third edition, the Ibero-American Tourism Forum will take place at the Copantl Hotel & Convention Center in San Pedro Sula. Promoted in part by the Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB), the Ibero-American Federation of Young Entrepreneurs (FIJE), and UN Tourism, the event is expected to gather nearly 600 participants and more than 50 international speakers.
This year’s theme, “Technology and Development: Intelligence that Strengthens Territories,” reflects the sector’s current concerns: digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and new tourism planning models.
Choosing Honduras as the host country also highlights the nation’s tourism potential, shaped by biodiversity, diverse ecosystems, and cultural heritage influenced by multiple traditions present throughout the territory.
Circulart — Medellín, Colombia (June 4–7)
Medellín will host a new edition of Circulart, one of the key events in the Ibero-American music industry. The platform brings together artists, agencies, programmers, and industry professionals through showcases, business meetings, conferences, and concerts held across different venues in the city.
The 17th edition will take place from June 4 to 7, featuring projects from 12 countries and a wide range of musical scenes. Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe will be among the venues associated with the event, alongside other cultural spaces across Medellín.
Beyond the 27 free-entry concerts, Circulart operates as an artistic circulation platform. Projects selected by curators from Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia help build a representative panorama of the region’s musical diversity.
FIEXPO Latin America — Costa Rica (June 8–11)
The Costa Rica Convention Center will once again host FIEXPO Latin America, one of the leading MICE industry events in the region. The event brings together destinations, companies, and specialists connected to meetings tourism, incentive travel, and congresses.
The program will focus on leadership, innovation, and industry transformation. Confirmed speakers include Michael Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE, and Borja Castelar, specialist in leadership and artificial intelligence.
This edition will place strong emphasis on artificial intelligence applied to events, automation, data analysis, regenerative sustainability, and the measurement of social and environmental impact within professional meetings.
Opening Match of the 2026 World Cup — Mexico City, Mexico (June 11)
On June 11, Mexico City will become the starting point of the largest World Cup ever organized. The tournament will begin at Estadio Ciudad de México, the official name of Estadio Azteca during the competition, which is set to become the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches after 1970 and 1986. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and 104 matches across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, culminating with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The opening ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff, at 11:30 a.m. (Central Mexico Time), and will be the first of three official ceremonies planned in the host countries. In Mexico, the show will highlight local culture through music, dance, and visual elements inspired by papel picado. FIFA has also confirmed performances by Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla.
Our article: Mexico City During the World Cup: What to See Between Matches
Inti Raymi — Cusco, Peru (June 24)
Every year, the imperial city of Cusco revives one of the most emblematic ceremonies of Andean heritage with Inti Raymi, the ancient Inca festival dedicated to the Sun God and linked to the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
Although its origins date back to pre-Hispanic times, today’s celebration is based on a reenactment inspired by colonial chronicles. It transforms the city into an open-air stage, from Qorikancha to Plaza de Armas, before continuing at the Sacsayhuamán fortress.
Hundreds of actors and musicians recreate processions, offerings, and rituals associated with the ancient Inca calendar. Some activities in the historic center are freely accessible, while access to the stands installed at Sacsayhuamán requires tickets booked in advance.
To learn more: Inti Raymi: Shedding Light on a Centuries-Old Tradition
In June, Latin America brings together major global events, professional gatherings, and celebrations deeply connected to local territories. Once again, the month highlights the diversity of formats capable of energizing destinations, whether through strengthening tourism activity, showcasing traditions, or positioning the region on major international agendas.
Photos: Ministry of Culture of Brazil | Visit Brasil
