Texcoco Launches International Firefly Watching Festival 2026

The Municipality of Texcoco inaugurated the International Firefly Watching Festival 2026 (FILT 2026) at the Ecoparque of San Miguel Tlaixpan, combining an artistic showcase, a cycling race and guided forest tours. The ceremony was attended by municipal president Nazario Gutiérrez Martínez, DIF honorary president Yesenia Armas Tobón, PROBOSQUE director Alejandro Santiago Sánchez Vélez, tourism director Rosana Espinoza Olivares and forest‑restoration engineer Sergio García Crosbi, among others. Participants also included a folkloric ballet and artisans from Veracruz and the dance group Convergencias.

Organizers highlighted the ecological value of fireflies as indicators of forest health and urged visitors to follow strict guidelines: no loud noises, no lights or cell phones, and no attempts to capture the insects. Trained guides, safety protocols and protective measures for the mountain forest ecosystem will be in place. The festival is part of Texcoco’s broader shift toward ecotourism, sustainable forest services and biodiversity promotion, seeking to boost the local economy while preserving natural habitats.