See pictures and information from last year’s Calenda below!

Part of the rich cultural fabric of Oaxaca, calendas are colorful, celebratory public processions featuring dancing, music, and good family fun: part street party and part parade.

At our most recent calenda, in September 2025, we were thrilled to welcome a delegation from our Mexican Sister City, who joined Palo Alto families for an afternoon of festivity, fun, and firefighters. Neighbors Abroad has a proud, decades-long tradition of working with the city of Palo Alto to donate fire and emergency equipment to Oaxaca — from engines to gear — and our friends in the fire department showed up in style to hand over a new batch of protective equipment. Muchas gracias, bomberos!

Beyond the lively music and dancing, the celebration also featured tastings of Oaxaca's signature mole and mezcal, uplifting words from Mayor Ed Lauing and members of the delegation, and a whole lot of community spirit.

This free event has become a Neighbors Abroad tradition — mark your calendars, and nos vemos el próximo año!