The Mérida Chili Cookoff is coming back to town!

The 2026 Mérida Chili Cookoff is a friendly community chili cook-off and tasting event where cooks compete by serving their best chili recipes, attendees vote for favorites, and everyone enjoys food, music, and a fun afternoon together. It’s a local social and food celebration with a competitive twist.

This 11th edition of the Mérida Chili Cookoff is set for Sunday, March 7, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Casa de Amistad in Itzminá. There will be live music, food and more fun activities!

This event was created to support a variety of children's charities. The organizations involved direct the funds raised during the event to this cause.

In past editions, the event has supported the program Estancia Nueva Vida by Mission of Friendship Yucatán - Erie, and this year we continue helping this noble cause.

The Children's Section of the Mérida English Library (MEL) offers a variety of books for kids of all ages and reading levels: from board books to picture books, bilingual books, fiction and nonfiction, classic stories, series and anthologies. Events and programs for children are also part of their work.

Tickets are available at the library, online in the MEL Shop and from select members of the Rotary Club and International Women’s Club starting February 3 or at the door the day of the event. TICKETS AT THE DOOR ARE $500 EACH.