Pal Norte is a music festival that takes place annually in Monterrey, Mexico. It is one of the largest and most popular music festivals in Mexico, attracting around 150,000 attendees each year.
Location
Pal Norte is held at the Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico. Fundidora Park is a large urban park located in the Santa Catarina municipality of Monterrey. The park is built on the former grounds of an old steel foundry called Fundidora de Fierro y Acero de Monterrey.
Monterrey is the capital and largest city of the state of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico. It is located about 150 miles south of the U.S. border, approximately a 2 hour drive southwest of the Texas border cities of Laredo and McAllen.
Getting to Pal Norte in Monterrey
Here are some of the main ways to get to Pal Norte in Monterrey:
- Fly into Monterrey International Airport (MTY) – Monterrey has its own international airport serviced by major airlines. The airport is located about 20 km from Fundidora Park, around a 30 minute drive.
- Drive from the U.S. border – For U.S. visitors, driving is a popular option. It’s about a 2.5-3 hour drive from the Texas border towns of Laredo, McAllen or Brownsville to Monterrey and Fundidora Park.
- Bus from Mexican cities – There are bus routes to Monterrey from most major Mexican cities. The main bus terminal is Central de Autobuses in downtown Monterrey, about 10 km from Fundidora Park.
- Train – There is a frequent train service from Mexico City to Monterrey with stops in major cities along the way like San Luis Potosi and Saltillo. The Monterrey train station is Estación del Golfo, around 15 minutes from Fundidora Park.
Once in Monterrey, local buses, taxis, Uber and shuttle services can take you directly to Fundidora Park where the festival is held.
Short History of Pal Norte Festival
Pal Norte first launched in 2012 in Fundidora Park. It was founded by local Monterrey promoters C3 Presents and Apodaca Group who wanted to create a major music festival in Monterrey to showcase Mexican and international talent.
The first Pal Norte in 2012 attracted around 35,000 attendees who came to see headliners like El Tri, Plastilina Mosh, Allison and Enrique Bunbury. Since then, the festival has grown substantially each year.
Some key milestones and facts about Pal Norte Festival:
- In 2013, the second edition attracted 65,000 fans with headliners Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Café Tacvba and Tijuana No!
- By 2015, Pal Norte reached 100,000 attendees with a lineup topped by The Chemical Brothers, Placebo and Molotov.
- The 2018 edition was the first 3-day festival, drawing over 140,000 fans. Headliners included The Killers, Liam Gallagher and Snow Patrol.
- In 2019, Pal Norte hit a record attendance of over 154,000 over 3 days. Major acts included Tame Impala, Jamie XX and Weezer.
- The festival features 4 stages: 2 main stages alternating acts, 1 electronic stage and 1 indie music stage.
- Over 800,000 festival-goers have attended Pal Norte since it began in 2012.
Pal Norte has established itself as one of the premiere music festivals in Mexico, able to attract huge international headliners as well as the best Mexican music talent.
Pal Norte 2023 Lineup
Pal Norte 2023 will take place on March 31st to April 2nd, 2023. The festival has not yet announced the official lineup.
Based on previous years, the 2023 lineup will likely feature:
- 2-3 major international headliners
- The top indie bands and EDM DJs currently touring festivals
- A mix of popular Mexican rock, pop, latin and regional acts
- Up-and-coming Mexican and Latin American alternative bands
Some possibilities for 2023 headliners are Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Rosalía, Calvin Harris, Björk or Paramore. The lineup will be revealed in early 2023 leading up to tickets going on sale.
Pal Norte Music Festival Experience
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect from the overall experience at Pal Norte music festival:
Music
– 4 stages with continuous music from noon to midnight each day
– Genres span indie, rock, pop, EDM, Latin, Mexican regional
– Huge international headliners plus emerging acts
– Some of Mexico’s most popular bands
Food & Drinks
– Dozens of food stalls with Mexican food, BBQ, burgers, pizza and more
– Bars serving beer, wine and cocktails
– VIP areas have all-inclusive food and premium drinks
Activities & Extras
– Carnival rides and games
– Merchandise shops
– Hammock areas to relax
– An on-site hotel package available for ultimate convenience
Scene & Vibe
– High energy party vibe
– Eclectic mix of music fans – locals and international visitors
– Festival fashion – bohemian, rockabilly, neon, costumes
– General admission and VIP options
Tickets & Pricing
Pal Norte 2023 ticket options and pricing have not yet been announced. Based on previous years, tickets should go on sale in early 2023.
Ticket types generally include:
- 3-Day General Admission Pass
- 3-Day VIP Pass with premium perks
- Single Day General Admission tickets
- Single Day VIP tickets
Estimated price ranges:
Ticket Type | Estimated Price in USD |
---|---|
3-Day GA Pass | $100 – $150 |
3-Day VIP Pass | $300 – $400 |
Single Day GA Ticket | $50 – $70 |
Single Day VIP Ticket | $120 – $150 |
Exact pricing will be available soon direct through the Pal Norte festival website and ticket partners.
Conclusion
Pal Norte has become one of the can’t-miss music festivals in Mexico, attracting huge crowds every year to see massive headliners and the best emerging talent. The 2023 edition promises another epic weekend of music, food and fun in Monterrey at Fundidora Park.
Once the lineup drops in early 2023, tickets will go on sale and thousands will flock once again to Pal Norte. It’s a vibrant festival experience that should be on any music lover’s bucketlist.