July
27 - Aug 10
International Chamber Music Festival -- San Miguel De Allende, Guanajuato
Every year this colonial town in Guanajuato marks the end of summer with a classical music festival featuring award-winning international ensembeles, guest musicians, and local artists performing in the beautiful open gardens or the grand church atria
back to top
August
1-20
Feria de Huamantla (Huamantla Fair) -- Huamantla, Tlaxcala
This event is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is especially picturesque in the town of Huamantla. The churches and miles of the city streets are draped in a beautiful tapestry of colorful flower petals and decorative sawdust. A running of the bulls follows the solemn event.
back to top
September
15-16
Mexican Independence Day -- Nationwide
Virtually the entire country is closed for two days as Mexico celebrates its declaration of independence from Spain in 1810. Across the country you can witness "El Grito", a dramatic reenactment of Father Hidalgo's call for his fellow Mexicans to join the uprising. This tradition is performed at 11 p.m. on the night of the 15th in Mexico's town squares. The ceremony in Mexico City's Constitution Square is presided over by the president.
21-22
Fall Equinox at Kulkulcan --Chichén Itzá, Yucatán
The pyramid of Kulkulcan, also known as El Castillo, is the site of a mystical and eerie annual experience courtesy of Mexico's ancient Mayan ancestors. From 12 noon until 5 p.m. on the day of the equinox the sun darkens virtually the entire giant pyramid; all that remains is a bright, glowing zigzag strip on the outside wall of the north staircase. The result is the appearance of a serpentine figure known as Quetzacoatl slithering down the steps of the mammoth artifact. Thousands of people flock to the Yucatán every fall to see this bizarre and beautiful phenomenon. Music, dancing and light shows surround the event.
29 Fiesta de San Miguel -- San Miguel De Allende,Guanajuato
Guanajuato's traditional ceremonial dancers converge on the Cruz del Cuartos and are met by local dancers as they proceed to the town square bearing flower sculptures. The dancing continues for several days, along with the bullfights, fireworks, and concerts. This annual celebration includes a running of the bulls through town and ends with fireworks at 4:00 am!back to top
October
1-21
Feria Nacional del Mole (National Mole Fair) -- San Pedro Actópan, DF
Thousands of mounds of mole paste of every type are prepared for sampling and judging. This spicy sauce made of unsweetened chocolate and a variety of peppers and spices is a staple of traditional Mexican cuisine, and the spread serves a perfect compliment to the country's meat and poultry dishes. Feel free to return from this event with a hearty supply of your favorite moles, it lasts for a long time and goes well with almost anything!
1-31
Fiestas de Octubre -- Guadalajara, Jalisco
The state of Jalisco comes alive with this month-long event attracting visitors and performers from all corners of the world. Guadalajara hosts a wide variety of musical performances, dances, food, and cultural and artistic exhibits.
12
Homecoming of the Virgin -- Zapopan, Jalisco
As many as one million spectators attend the homecoming of La Zapopanita from her four-month "healing" tour of the area. The local celebration features marching bands, cowboys, dancers, and costumed revelers.
10-27
International Cervantino Festival -- Guanajuato, Guanajuato
Guanajuato pays homage to Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. Visitors to Guanajuato in October are treated to strolling minstrels, symphony orchestras, opera, jazz, rock groups and dance companies. Also available for the public are arts and crafts festivals, experimental theater groups and new film releases. Reservations should be made well in advance for this annual festival.
back to top
November
1-2
All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) -- Nationwide
Possibly the most colorful and mystical of Mexican holidays, Dia de los Muertos celebrates Halloween, All Saints Day, and the unique marriage of native heritage and Christian traditions Mexico offers. This celebration of the dead includes candy skeletons, toy coffins, candle-lit processions to graveyards for all-night vigils, and other beautiful public events honoring the souls of the dearly departed. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico, with regions such as Oaxaca, Michoacán, and Pátzcuaro being renowned for especially splendid festivals.
Nov-Mar
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries -- Michoacán
Every November, millions of monarch butterflies descend on Michoacán forests. Their annual journey, encompassing more than 2,500 miles, takes the butterflies from Canada and the northeast United States to their winter home in Michoacán, where, in some areas, they can number four million per acre of land. The butterflies attract hundreds of travelers, naturalists and eco tourists each year.
1-30
Fiesta del Mar -- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Festivals held during this month-long celebration in the famous resort destination of Puerto Vallarta include art, sports competitions, food festivals, and a spectacular fireworks display closing the ceremonies on the 30th.
20
Revolución Mexicana -- Nationwide
This date marks the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. It is marked by parades and celebrations across the country.
24
National Silver Fair -- Taxco, Guerrero
Taxco is the region of the country known as Mexico's "silver heart", as it serves as the source of much of the lucrative silver mining and export business. The resulting wealth made Taxco into a beautiful city renowned for its wares. Every year Mexico's best silversmiths compete against artists from around the world. The lavish festival surrounding the annual event includes concerts, dances, fireworks, and a seemingly endless supply of unique items for sale.
back to top
December
10-22
Festival of San Cristóbal de las Casas -- San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
This two-week festival in Chiapas includes a procession from the Tzotzil and Tzetzal Indians, Marimba music, and horse parade. The annual festival is unique to this region and they include their Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe as part of this celebration.
12
Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe -- Nationwide
Mexico's most religious holiday is celebrated on this day as they honor the patroness of Mexico. Travelers from around the country all meet at the Basilica in Mexico City, home of the mysterious shroud that displays an imprint of the saint's likeness.
16-24
Posadas -- Nationwide
Processions, parties, and religious festivals commemorate Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. Festive events include piñata breaking and music. In remembrance of the pilgrimage, families in many towns even re-create the arrival of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, including going door to door "seeking shelter". Special foods and sweets are prepared for this special time of year. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated with family dinners and religious services.
23
Fiesta de los Rábanos (Festival of the Radishes) -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Local artisans and sculptors set up exhibit booths around the main square of Oaxaca to display their elaborately displayed works of art---made entirely from radishes! The important local crop is used for re-creations including entire nativity scenes and famous Mexican figures. Balloons and birds crafted from flowers add color to the displays and buñuelos (fritters similar to waffles) are served in clay cups. Thousands travel to Oaxaca every year for this unique and beautiful pageant.
back to top
January, 2003
1 Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) --Nationwide
Mexico welcomes the New Year with an abundance of music, dancing and fireworks. Streets are filled with revelers, friends and families congregating for parties that often last till dawn. One tradition calls for eating twelve grapes, one with each stroke of the chiming bell, at midnight for luck in the coming 12 months. New Year's Day is usually a quiet time of rest and reflection.
6
Día de los Santos Reyes (Three Kings' Day) --Nationwide
Recalling the arrival in Bethlehem of the Wise Men (Reyes Magos) bearing gifts for the baby Jesus, children throughout Mexico anxiously await waking to toys and gifts left by the three kings. Rosca de Reyes - a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits with a small doll baked inside, is served on this day. The lucky person who finds the doll in his or her slice of cake must host a party on February 2nd, known as Candlemas Day.
11 Feria de León --León, Guanajuato
This three-week fair commemorates the founding of the city of León with some of the year's most famous bullfights, mechanical games, cock fights and entertainment shows. The event starts on January 11th and goes on through February 5th.
15-
23
Fiesta de San Sebastián Mártir (Feast of Saint Sebastian the Martyr) -- Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas
Celebrated the third week in January in Chiapa de Corzo, the feast includes an elaborate show of folkloric festivals, regional costumes, wigs and masks as well as the reenactment of a naval battle on the river Grijalva. Ceremonies last three days and conclude with an amazing fireworks display.
17 Fiesta de San Antonio de Abad (Feast of Saint Anthony) --Nationwide
During this celebration, pets and livestock are decorated with flowers and ribbons and taken to church for blessings.back to top
February
Pre-Lenten Carnival --Nationwide
Celebrated with candlelit processions and dancing in many towns throughout the country, this day marks the end of Christmas celebrations. Baby Jesus figurines are taken from nativity scenes to be blessed at local churches. Markets throughout town restore, paint and dress these dolls for the special occasion.
5 Día de la Constitución (Day of the Constitution) --Nationwide
Official holiday commemorating Mexico's constitutions of 1857 and 1917.
24
Flag Day --Nationwide
This Mexican national holiday honors the Mexican flag.
back to top
March
5
Carnaval --Nationwide
A 5-day celebration that begins the week before Lent. Carnaval is celebrated throughout the country with parades, parties and dancing in the streets. Some of the most famous and festive celebrations are held in the port towns of Veracruz, Cozumel, La Paz and Mazatlan.
21
Benito Juárez Day (National Holiday) --Nationwide
This national holiday celebrates the birth of the former Mexican president and national hero.
21
Spring Equinox - Chichen Itza
Thousands gather at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula for the awe-inspiring spring equinox. Visitors witness the afternoon shadow of the snake-god Kukulcan slowly descend upon the country's biggest Mayan pyramid, known as El Castillo.
25 - 31 Semana Santa (Holy Week) --Nationwide
Important religious images, traditional altars, flower decorations and palm crosses can be seen throughout the country during this period. Beginning with Palm Sunday, the week's religious celebrations include Holy Thursday and Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. Some of the most moving events of Semana Santa are the reenactments of the Passion of Christ, or the Passion Plays, which vividly display the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion on the cross. The best-known celebrations are held in Mexico City, Pátzcuaro, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas), and Taxco. back to top
Apri
8-
May 5
Aguascalientes
San Marcos Fair (Second week April through first week May)
This colorful 3-week festival features handicrafts, bullfights, folkloric dancing, games, cockfights, cultural events, cuisine and merrymaking. Experience Mexico's top matadors, firework displays and local culinary specialties in this romantic city long known for its colonial architecture. The city of Aguascalientes is located in the central part of Mexico. Some of its most renowned attractions include the Government Palace with its neoclassical facade of red stone and the Municipal Palace built of pink quarry.
back to top
May
1
Primero de Mayo (First of May) --Nationwide
This national holiday marks the international Labor Day celebration.
3
Día de la Santa Cruz (Day of the Holy Cross) --Nationwide
During this picturesque celebration every building under construction throughout the country is crowned with a cross gaily decorated with colorful crepe paper streamers and flowers, followed by picnics and fireworks at the sites.
5 Battle of Puebla Day / Cinco de Mayo
This day commemorates the 1862 battle between the Mexican and French armies at Puebla de Los Angeles.
10 Día de las Madres (Mother's Day) --Nationwide
15 Día de San Isidro Labrador (Patron Saint of Farmers)
The patron saint of rain, agricultural workers and livestock is venerated on this day.back to top