Xico: Culture, Patron Saint Festival and Cuisine

Xico brings together religious culture, a strong festival tradition, and distinctive dishes and drinks. In town, these themes range from the veneration of Santa María Magdalena to collections devoted to dance and clothing, as well as mole and Xonequi. Nearby, archaeological objects and a waterfall add to the picture. You can choose a vacation rental based on whether you mainly want to explore the town’s culture and cuisine or also visit destinations in the surrounding area.

Santa María Magdalena and the Festival Tradition

In the center of Xico, the Parroquia de Santa María Magdalena houses the image of the town’s patron saint. The Museo del Vestido de Santa María Magdalena, in the Patio de las Palomas, is also devoted to her veneration: its collection includes more than 820 dresses. If you are interested in religious culture, you will find two different ways to explore it here—the image in the parish church and the museum’s extensive collection of dresses. Before visiting the museum, we recommend checking its current opening hours.

Another religious site is a temple in the center, on Calle Guadalupe Victoria. It dates from 1950 and has an interior richly decorated with Guadalupan symbolism. The patron saint festival in honor of Santa María Magdalena is associated with the month of July. Festival events include sawdust carpets, a monumental flower arch in front of the parish church, processions, and dances. The burning of toritos and the release of fighting bulls, known as the “Xiqueñada,” are also part of the festival. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the current dates in advance.

The Casa de la Cultura in Xico presents local dance traditions across six areas. It explores the history of the individual dances as well as their costumes, masks, and music. The different themes show that dance is more than just movement: costumes, masks, and music are also part of this cultural expression.

Dishes and Drinks from Xico

Typical foods include mole, Xico’s most characteristic dish. This version is on the sweeter side and includes ingredients such as ancho chili, apple, chocolate, panela, and banana. Xonequi is another local dish: a bean soup that shares its name with a vine of the same name. The soup contains the vine’s heart-shaped leaves as well as dough balls seasoned with lard. The two dishes show different sides of the local cuisine—mole is distinguished by its sweet seasoning, while Xonequi brings together beans, leaves, and dough.

Typical drinks include Verde de Xico and Licor de Mora. Licor de Mora is alcoholic and is made with mora from a plant endemic to the municipality. Together with mole and Xonequi, these drinks offer a distinct taste of the town. If regional cuisine is an important part of your trip, it may factor into your choice of accommodation in Xico alongside cultural sightseeing.

Nearby Destinations

In Malseseca, the Museo Xicochimalco displays archaeological objects, including stone monoliths, spearheads, grinding stones, ceramics, and anthropomorphic sculptures. The museum is in the area near Xico, not in the town itself. Its collection offers a different focus from Xico’s religious and dance culture.

Arroyo Seco is also nearby. A waterfall more than 20 meters high is located on a property there. Group visits are available on weekdays by appointment. Arroyo Seco is 15 minutes from the municipal seat. Activities there include camping, hiking, environmental education talks, family recreation, encounters with farm animals, horseback riding, and visits to the municipal worm-composting facility; equine therapy is available. This means that, in addition to cultural interests, nature and a range of activities may also factor into your travel plans.

Xico as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

For regional context, Xico is connected by a state highway to Coatepec, 9 kilometers away, and Xalapa, 19 kilometers away. When choosing a vacation rental, you can first consider whether you want to focus on the town’s culture, festival tradition, and cuisine, or also include nearby destinations located outside the town.

Discover more destinations: San Juan Teotihuacan de Arista, Tenango del Aire, San Antonio Bonixi, San Antonio, Tlanepantla, Metepec, Toluca De Lerdo, Tepotzotlán.

For the broader travel overview: México.