2025 Xmatkuil Fair: How to Join the Mass Wedding

The governor will preside over a massive collective wedding ceremony at this year’s Feria Yucatán Xmatkuil, giving hundreds of couples the chance to formalize their unions at no cost.

The free ceremony will take place Saturday, November 29 during the final weekend of the fair’s 51st edition, which runs from November 7-30. Couples interested in participating can register now at any Civil Registry office throughout Yucatán.

The mass wedding forms part of the state’s Formaliza tu unión program, designed primarily for couples living together without formal marriage registration. “It’s mainly directed at couples who live in common law relationships or concubinage and want to regularize their civil status through marriage registration,” according to the Civil Registry website.

Requirements have been significantly simplified compared to previous years. Following changes that took effect in April, couples no longer need to present three witnesses or medical certificates. Now participants only need to be 18 or older, present birth certificates and official identification for both partners, and complete the marriage registration application.

The streamlined process reflects broader efforts across Mexico to make civil marriage more accessible. Traditional marriage requirements in Mexico typically include apostilled birth certificates, medical tests, and multiple witnesses, creating barriers for many couples.

Last year’s collective ceremony drew 414 couples from 76 municipalities across Yucatán. Among them were María Teodora Canché Cetina and Arcadio Moo Caamal, who formalized their union after nearly 50 years together. The couple has 7 children, 26 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

The tradition of mass weddings at Xmatkuil stretches back several years. In 2018, 560 couples exchanged vows in a ceremony that waived the normal 3,000-peso registration fee for participants. “Around 5,000 couples have been part of this program,” said Civil Registry Office Chief Rafael Rodríguez Méndez at the time.

It Started with Livestock

The Xmatkuil Fair, which began in 1974 as a livestock exhibition, has evolved into one of southeastern Mexico’s premier cultural events. Held on the grounds of a former henequen hacienda 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Mérida, the fair now spans 77 hectares (190 acres) and attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually.

Beyond the wedding ceremony, this year’s fair promises an impressive lineup of entertainment. Confirmed performers include Mexican superstars Mijares, Emanuel, and the iconic groups Pandora and Flans, alongside regional comedians and traditional livestock exhibitions.

The name Xmatkuil comes from the Mayan language meaning “the place where you pray to God.” The former hacienda site is part of the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve, which protects both natural and artificial history around Mérida.

For couples seeking to participate in the collective ceremony, registration takes place at civil registry offices throughout the state. Mérida’s main office is on Calle 65 between 64 and 66 in the Centro. Registration happens in the Inspection area, and couples can call 999 930 3150 ext. 44517 for more information.

General admission to the fair costs 30 pesos per person, with parking at 40 pesos. The fairgrounds typically operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., though concert venues remain open until 2 or 3 a.m.

The collective wedding represents more than just a cost-saving measure for couples. As State Legal Counsel Mauricio Tappan Silveira noted at a previous ceremony, civil marriage provides important legal protections for inheritance, property ownership, and spousal support.

If ‘You Do‘

When: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Where: Xmatkuil Fairgrounds, 10 km south of Mérida on Calle 50
Cost: Completely free
Requirements: Age 18+, birth certificate, official ID, completed application
Registration: Any Civil Registry office in Yucatán
Fair dates: November 7-30, 2025
Fair admission: 30 pesos per person