Pilgrimage

Pilgrims: from the volcanoes to Tepeyac

The pilgrimage to the Virgin of Guadalupe, from the Paso de Cortés to the atrium of the Basilica.

October 29, 2026

Paso de Cortés y Basílica de Guadalupe

Pilgrims carry images of the Virgin of Guadalupe across the Paso de Cortés, with Popocatépetl in the background — Pilgrims at the Paso de Cortés, between Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.

A crowd of pilgrims at night on the causeway leading to the Basilica of Guadalupe — The night of 11 December, on the way to the Basilica.

Dancers with feather headdresses and embroidered costumes in front of the Basilica of Guadalupe — Dancers in front of the Basilica of Guadalupe.

A dancer with a colourful feather headdress playing a string instrument — A dancer plays in front of the atrium.

Dancers with masks and colourful feather headdresses — Masks and feathers in the atrium of the Basilica.

Pilgrims and dancers with banners amid copal smoke — Banners and copal as a group of pilgrims arrives.

During the first days of December, thousands of groups walk from Puebla, the State of Mexico and other states to the Basilica of Guadalupe. Some cross the Paso de Cortés, between Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, carrying images of the Virgin on their backs.

On 12 December, the atrium fills with dancers, banners and music.

Chronicle

Twelfth of December: millions of steps towards Tepeyac

The pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe is one of the largest in the world. This is what the longest night of Mexico's religious year is like.

WorldViews editorial team October 29, 2026 2 min read

Ritual

Winter solstice on the Cerro de la Estrella

Fire, copal and dance to welcome the shortest sun of the year on top of a hill in Mexico City.

October 29, 2026

Ritual

Lighting the sun: the solstice on the Cerro de la Estrella

Before dawn on 21 December, fire, copal and dance to welcome the light on the hill of the New Fire.

WorldViews editorial team October 29, 2026 1 min read

Photographic trip

Photograph these days in person

From 8 to 22 December 2027: the pilgrimage, the volcanoes and the solstice in central Mexico.

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