We traveled south to one of Mexico’s biggest and fastest-growing music festivals to answer one question: are destination festivals really worth it? Spoiler alert—absolutely. Here’s why.
Story + Photos // Jeanette Diaz
Have you ever considered traveling abroad for a music festival? If so, we’re here to encourage you to take the leap into one of the most unforgettable experiences a music lover can have. From hearing incredible music while soaking in brand-new scenescapes, to connecting with people and culture through sound—destination festivals offer a kind of magic that’s hard to match.
While many fans make their annual pilgrimage to California’s desert skies for Coachella, festivals across the globe are rising up to provide similarly stacked lineups and euphoric vibes—with the added bonus of international adventure. Enter: Tecate Pa’l Norte, hosted at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
In an ever-growing music scene where Latin music continues to reign supreme, Tecate Pa’l Norte has carved out its own identity by delivering a pitch-perfect mix of global superstars and regional heroes. Launched in 2012, the music and arts festival has grown into one of the most beloved and highly attended events in Latin America. Its secret sauce? A genre-defying lineup that merges chart-topping international acts with fierce local talent.
Now in its 14th edition, the festival welcomed over 165+ acts across three days, drawing an anticipated 300,000+ attendees to Monterrey’s urban oasis. And when the lineup dropped between summer and fall—let’s just say, it immediately had our full attention.
Headliners included Green Day, Justin Timberlake, and Olivia Rodrigo, alongside artists like Charli XCX, Kings of Leon, Massive Attack, Seventeen, Fall Out Boy, Gesaffelstein, The Black Keys, Parcels, The Chainsmokers, and Garbage. Many were also Coachella-bound or mid-world tour, with several making their Mexico debut. The energy? Electric.
On the Latine side, heavy-hitters like Eden Muñoz, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Nathy Peluso, The Marías, Tito Doble P, Caifanes, Alex Lora y El Tri, Cris MJ, Kany García, and more lit up the stages—offering a powerful celebration of cultural pride and homegrown fanbases.
More Than Just Music
The festival grounds themselves are part of the allure. Loaded with brand activations, photo ops, immersive art, and merch booths, it was impossible to get bored—even between sets. Need a break from the dance floor? Grab a drink with a friend, chill in the shade, or hit a booth for a glitter makeover, a fresh hairdo, or even a tote bag via a carnival-style game.
One standout feature was the mobile food and drink vendors weaving through the crowd—making sustenance both easy and accessible. Craving something heartier? The main food court was packed with everything from local bites like Ramos chicharrón to classic festival fare like burgers, pizza, and sandwiches. And yes, with Tecate in the name, the beverage tents were abundant, ensuring short lines for both beer (served two bottles at a time) and hydration heroes like Electrolit. Special shoutout to the backpack shot vendors—can we get those added to the merch lineup next year?
Sustainability, Safety, and Social Responsibility
One of the most impressive aspects of Tecate Pa’l Norte was its commitment to sustainability. With an active recycling program and reusable containers, the festival showed genuine environmental consciousness. Compared to many stateside festivals, the grounds were noticeably cleaner—thanks to both staff and respectful attendees.
Another meaningful initiative? The introduction of “Puntos Blancos” (White Spaces)—designated mental health areas for those feeling overwhelmed or anxious. While some online critics questioned the need, we applaud the fest for making music more inclusive, safe, and accessible to everyone.
A Stage for Every Sound
Staying sustained is key at this festival, and while the stages are thoughtfully placed and curated, what really sets Pa’l Norte apart is its ability to spatially host such a massive event without feeling overwhelming. The two main stages—Tecate Light and Tecate Original—serve as the home base for the biggest headliners and genre-spanning performances. Meanwhile, other stages offer specialized vibes to suit every type of fan. The Oasis Stage leans into reggaeton and trap, perfect for high-energy sets and heavy bass drops. Fusion highlights Latine artists across genres, showcasing the region’s musical richness.
Acústico lives up to its name, featuring stripped-down, intimate sets that deliver raw vocal and instrumental performances. Pilos Bar, named after a well-known local watering hole, is dedicated to música mexicana and regional acts, offering an authentic slice of local culture. For dance lovers, Club Social hosts EDM DJs spinning crowd-pleasers, while Villa Maravilla brings the underground vibe with techno and house sets that run deep into the night. Each stage adds a distinct flavor to the festival’s sonic landscape, creating a dynamic flow that lets fans experience a little bit of everything without losing the festival’s cohesive energy.
One of our favorite elements of the festival had to be the surprise sets, a unique tradition that keeps fans on their toes all weekend long. Without warning, a loud, unmistakable alarm would echo through the grounds, signaling that a previously unannounced artist was about to hit the stage. The rush of anticipation that followed as crowds tried to guess who it might be—and then raced to the right stage—was pure festival magic. This year’s surprise performers included an energy-filled set by 3BallMTY that immediately turned into a party, and a touching Selena tribute led by A.B. Quintanilla, joined by Matisse, Ximena Sariñana, and Belanova, marking 30 years since her passing. Fans were also treated to appearances by beloved artists like Alicia Villarreal, KT Tunstall, and Spanish pop icon David Bisbal. These moments injected a layer of spontaneity and nostalgia into the weekend that made the experience feel even more personal and electric—and they’re part of what makes Tecate Pa’l Norte so thrillingly unpredictable.
The element of surprise didn’t stop at the designated sets—guest appearances popped up across the entire weekend, adding even more excitement and unforgettable moments to an already stacked lineup. The Marías brought out Girl Ultra for a dreamy rendition of “Lejos de Ti,” creating a moment that felt both intimate and iconic. Juanes, after his own genre-blending set that included covers of The Beatles, “La Bamba,” “Oye Mujer,” and Juan Gabriel’s “Querida,” surprised fans by joining Mon Laferte onstage for their duet “Amárrame.” El Malilla teamed up with Yeri Mua to perform their hit “Avión Privado” live for the first time, while Six Sex invited Argentine rapper Dillom to share the stage for their collaborative single. Hip-hop artist Sabino kept the surprises coming, bringing out both Jonaz and Tatiana during his set for two crowd-hyping moments. Meanwhile, Ela Taubert had a standout moment of her own, delivering a medley of Rihanna covers before transitioning into “No Se Va” by Grupo Frontera and Jesse & Joy’s beloved ballad “¡Corre!” These pop-ins and crossovers brought a sense of community and celebration to the weekend—proof that at Pa’l Norte, the magic often happens when you least expect it.
Highlights from the Weekend
- Olivia Rodrigo brought her GUTS World Tour to Mexico for the first time, met by a sea of purple, stars, glitter, and DIY outfits
- Charli XCX delivered high-energy electro-pop and serious neon green slay.
- Green Day rocked a hit-filled set, even inviting a fan onstage to crush “Know Your Enemy.”
- Fall Out Boy weathered technical issues to serve up nostalgia-fueled emo and pop-punk bangers—shoutout to the crowd’s spontaneous “Sí Se Puede” chants (which evolved into “You Can Do It”).
- Massive Attack and Garbage marked triumphant returns.
- Caifanes and El Tri brought legacy and longevity (El Tri celebrated 56 years!).
- Justin Timberlake reminded us all why he’s still the prince of pop.
- Seventeen made history as the first K-pop group to play the fest—spoiler: they won the crowd.
- The Marías mesmerized with their dreamy Submarine set, while Argentina’s Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso made waves with their experimental trap.
Final Thoughts
In a year where Coachella’s lineup left some fans underwhelmed, Tecate Pa’l Norte stepped in to deliver a musically rich, culturally diverse, and genuinely fun festival experience. With a more accessible price tag (though travel costs vary), this festival offers a bucket list-worthy combo of big-name acts and an unforgettable setting.
If you’re looking for a sign to say yes to a destination festival—this is it. And Tecate Pa’l Norte? It’s the perfect place to start. We’re calling it now: it’s one of the biggest highlights of our 2025—and it’s only April. Consider our calendars already marked for next year.
We hope to see you there. Till then – check out more photos from the weekend below!
