Tianguis Explained

Ashly Chole Senior Finance Researcher

Last Updated 18 August 2025

Tianguis

An outdoor bazaar or market called a tianguis is customarily conducted in Mexico on specified market days. A market, mercado roma, mercado municipal, or simply bazar are other names for a 'tianguis.' The term 'tianguis' is sometimes used to describe a place where people go to purchase and sell items from vendors who have set up shop along a street or plaza. In some regions, the word simply means 'market'; in other places, it can also refer to artisanal goods. Although many close at midnight, tianguis are often open 24 hours a day. Although some markets end at midnight, others remain open 24 hours a day.

A setting where people may purchase and sell

The traditional tianguis serves as a marketplace for the purchase and sale of goods such as food, footwear, clothes, and other wares. In front of a business, the market may be set up on the sidewalk or within a permanent structure. Occasionally, tianguis are conducted at night when many people do not feel secure going through the streets; these markets are known as 'tianguis de noche' or simply 'noche.' Generally speaking, tianguis are not places for visitors. Several exceptions do exist, though. For instance, one of the most well-known tianguis in Mexico is hosted in Tepoztlan (Morelos), where it is conducted every day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is now a well-liked tourist destination.

The word tianguis simply means market in various locales

The word tianguis simply means market in various regions. On Saturday and Sunday, many individuals in different regions of Mexico sell their handcrafted items at tianguis, also known as matachines (from matachines de mercado, 'markets of artisans'). Tianguis is sometimes referred to as a market, mercado roma, mercado municipal, or simply bazar. An open-air market or bazaar known as a 'tianguis' is customarily conducted in Mexico on specific market days, typically on Sundays or Saturdays. It is comparable to a flea market and can also be called one; however, the name 'tianguis' exclusively refers to goods offered at these marketplaces. The term 'tianguis' is derived from the Nahuatl verb 'tecuan,' which means 'to wander around.' José Alvarado, a Chalco farmer, founded the first tianguis in the early 20th century as a market for other farmers in his community. Locals were given a location to sell their wares without being bothered by retailers, and he charged them one centavo per kilogram of produce they sold at the market.

There are several tianguis every weekend

A large number of tianguis are now organized every weekend after the concept caught on in other Mexican cities and communities. Often on Saturdays or Sundays, tianguis are conducted in a lot of Mexican cities and villages. The majority of them are outdoor markets where a range of products are sold, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and flowers; however, some tianguis also sell more specialized items like apparel or electronics. Typically, the tianguis are grouped by the sort of merchandise being sold, such as jewelry or apparel, and are held in the town center. The market is organized in a grid format, with areas that sellers may rent to sell their items. It's easy to get fresh things at the tianguis that can be hard to find at other times of the week. Despite many of the sellers knowing some English, many frequently only speak Spanish.

Many individuals in different regions of Mexico sell their handmade handicrafts at Tiangus

On weekends and during holidays, craftsmen are known as 'matachines' and sell their wares at tianguis (from matachines de mercado, 'markets of artisans'). In both rural and urban settings, you can find them. Being seen during the workweek has grown commonplace, especially as more and more Mexicans have urbanized over time. Another name for matachine is 'tianguis,' which is the name of a summer event that takes place every year on Saturdays and Sundays across Mexico. The Nahuatl word for 'open market' is 'tianguis,' which is still used to describe the weekend marketplaces held all around Mexico. The typical Mexican tianguis is an outdoor marketplace where sellers provide food and goods, sometimes in front of their own residences. Both rural and urban communities have the market, which is often held on weekends or holidays.

Long considered a significant component of Mexican culture

Several families go from far away to sell their wares at the tianguis, which has long been a significant component of Mexican culture. Even now, many people still engage in it. The tianguis have evolved in recent years into much more than merely a marketplace. They have developed into a gathering spot where people may mingle and converse. People can gather in the tianguis and talk to each other about their lives and exchange news. It's rumored that if you visit a tianguis in some parts of Mexico on a Saturday or Sunday morning, you'll see everyone in town there. A well-liked shopping destination is the tianguis. Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, flowers, and other plants are the most common items sold by vendors. Even now, some individuals market their handcrafted goods, such as leather garments and jewelry.

While some markets are open 24 hours a day, others shut down at midnight

Although some markets end at midnight, others remain open 24 hours a day. Some tianguis only function during specific seasons of the year, while others are open on different days of the week. Every Saturday and Sunday, a large number of individuals in Mexico sell their handcrafted items at tianguis, also known as matachines (little matachins). Some markets specialize in selling only fresh food, clothing, and footwear, while others have expanded their product offerings to include discounted second-hand goods, including apparel and home products.

You may purchase fresh fish and meat at the tianguis in certain cities. It serves as a marketplace for people to sell their wares in other cities, such as apparel and shoes (often knockoffs of name brands). There are several tianguis markets in Mexico City, some of which are open year-round and others which are only open on the weekends. On certain days of the week, there are additional weekly marketplaces called 'tianguis.' Every day except Monday, when markets are closed, there is a tianguis in Mexico City. Depending on where you are in Mexico, the word 'tianguis' has a range of various connotations. Apart from the above-mentioned traditional market days, there are several tianguis that are held.