It’s no secret that Mexico loves a superb fiesta. For those who’ve ever been there, I’m positive you already know. Any excuse to get along with household and pals, eat scrumptious meals, crank up the music, and gentle fireworks is welcome right here.
There’s principally a pageant in Mexico each week of the 12 months. The nation has a number of official holidays, celebrating its independence, structure, and heroes. On today, staff are entitled to paid time without work work and colleges are closed.
As well as, there are various civic holidays in Mexico. These embrace holidays celebrating the flag, the military, and vital moments in historical past. One such Mexican pageant is Cinco de Mayo, which it seems is definitely not only a day to eat nachos and drink margaritas. Extra on that later…
That’s not all, although. There are many conventional festivals in Mexico, equivalent to Day of the Useless and Guelaguetza. And let’s not overlook the numerous movie, music, artwork, and meals festivals that occur all year long. There’s all the time one thing occurring in Mexico!
Having spent the higher portion of the final three years calling the nation house, I’ve skilled many Mexican festivals. From Carnival in Mazatlan and the Mariachi Competition in Guadalajara to Day of the Useless in Mexico Metropolis, I’ve loved all of them.
The colourful tradition with all its festivals is simply one of many many the explanation why I like residing right here. There’s a Mexican pageant each month, so regardless of whenever you go to Mexico, you’ll be capable of take pleasure in some form of celebration.
Right here’s a listing of the 25 finest festivals in Mexico you gained’t need to miss. Vamos!
1. New 12 months’s Eve
The social gathering goes all evening in Mexico! Whether or not you’re on the seaside in Cancun or in the capital, it’s a very enjoyable evening to rejoice in Mexico. Count on a lot of fireworks regardless of the place you might be in the nation. Among the high locations to rejoice New 12 months’s Eve in Mexico embrace Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Metropolis, Puerto Vallarta, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
New 12 months’s Day is a nationwide vacation, so many companies shut down. Most vacationer points of interest keep open, or you may simply sit at a bar and nurse that NYE hangover with some tequila!
2. Three Kings Day
January sixth marks Three Kings Day, the 12th day after Christmas that commemorates the arrival of the Three Sensible Males who introduced presents to Jesus. Enjoyable reality — Mexican youngsters obtain their presents from the Three Kings on Christmas day and not from Santa Claus!
Within the lead-up to this vacation, you’ll discover particular markets in Mexico promoting youngsters’s presents. Individuals additionally get collectively to eat Rosca de Reyes, a candy bread topped with dried fruits. Hidden inside is a determine of child Jesus, and whoever finds it should host a celebration for the upcoming Candlemas Day.
3. Candlemas
Keep in mind what I mentioned about the one that finds the figurine of child Jesus on Three Kings Day? That fortunate (or unfortunate, relying in your viewpoint) particular person must host a celebration on February 2nd for Candlemas.
Referred to as Día de la Candelaría, this non secular vacation is a festive time. Individuals costume up figures of the Christ Little one and take them to the church to be blessed. Then they head to the aforementioned social gathering to pig out on tamales with pals and household.
4. Carnival
An entire 180 from Candlemas, are the Carnival celebrations. Whereas they might not be as well-known as these in Rio or New Orleans, Carnival in Mexico remains to be an enormous social gathering.
The very best locations to rejoice Carnival in Mexico are Mazatlan and Veracruz. I attended the festivities in Mazatlan just a few years in the past and had an incredible time going to the parades and watching the live shows on the Malecon. Witnessing Carnival is likely one of the finest issues to do in Mexico.
Try this spotlight video to see what it’s like celebrating Carnival in Mazatlan.
5. San Pancho Music Competition
The small seaside city of San Pancho (also referred to as San Francisco) hosts a music pageant the final weekend of February. What began out as a grassroots pageant in somebody’s yard has grown to be one of many high musical occasions in the area.
The social gathering goes on for 3 days with quite a lot of musical acts in addition to meals, drink, and arts & crafts distributors. It’s enjoyable for the entire household, and is likely one of the high issues to do in San Pancho in February. Click on right here to be taught extra.
6. Competition del Centro Historico
Like the town itself, this pageant in the capital is totally big. It lasts for just a few weeks throughout 50+ venues that includes live shows, artwork reveals, opera, meals stalls, and way more.
Many of the motion goes on in Mexico Metropolis’s historic centre, and proceeds go in the direction of the restoration and preservation of the realm’s structure and artwork.
7. Guadalajara Worldwide Movie Competition
Over in Mexico’s 2nd largest metropolis, you might have the possibility to attend a wonderful movie pageant in March. It’s referred to as one of the crucial vital festivals in the world for Spanish movies.
8. Spring Equinox
One of many coolest issues you are able to do in Mexico in March is head to Chichen Itza for the spring equinox. On this present day, the sunshine casts a shadow on the primary temple that resembles a serpent.
It’s not only a coincidence, because the temple is devoted to Kukulkan — a feathered serpent god. It truly is an incredible sight to behold and 1000’s of individuals come to see it in particular person.
9. Past Wonderland Monterrey
Followers of digital music will need to head to Mexico in April for the large Past Wonderland pageant in the town of Monterrey. This takes place at Fundidora Park with 4 totally different levels pumping out the tunes.
10. Cinco de Mayo
Opposite to well-liked gringo perception, Cinco de Mayo just isn’t Mexican Independence Day (we’ll get to that later). It’s additionally not a day meant for consuming nachos and chugging margaritas.
As a matter of reality, most of Mexico doesn’t rejoice the day in any respect! The state of Puebla does, nevertheless, as Cinco de Mayo commemorates a battle that occurred in the town way back. On this present day in 1862, the Mexican military defeated French forces.
If you end up in Puebla on Might fifth, you’ll be able to take pleasure in parades, meals, and music.
11. Restaurant Week
For foodies, attempt to plan your journey to Puerto Vallarta for Might. Restaurant Week is likely one of the issues to do in Puerto Vallarta that you just gained’t need to miss.
Greater than 60 high eating places from the town take part annually whereas providing 3-course meals at lowered charges — round 50% off. Make it your mission to strive as many various spots as you’ll be able to throughout that week!
12. Pleasure Competition
Puerto Vallarta is Mexico’s most LGBT-friendly vacation spot, and annually in Might, it hosts a vibrant Pleasure pageant. Count on parades, seaside events, trend exhibits, and a lot extra. Throughout this week, Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife is on an entire different degree!
13. Día de los Locos
This pageant in San Miguel de Allende simply is likely to be one of the crucial fascinating in all of Mexico. That means “Day of the Loopy Individuals”, residents don loopy costumes and parade via the streets whereas onlookers throw sweet to them. It’s a wild scene and an entire lot of enjoyable! If you end up in the town in Might, don’t miss it.
14. Los Cabos Open of Surf
This surf and music pageant in Los Cabos in June has so much occurring. In a vacation spot that’s identified for having year-round excellent waves, there’s clearly a surf competitors, however you can too take in a live performance on the seaside, a neighborhood meals truthful, artwork walks, and trend exhibits.
15. Guelaguetza Competition
For those who’re in native tradition, July could also be the very best time to go to Mexico only for this pageant. The Guelaguetza Competition (strive saying that one thrice quick!) takes place in Oaxaca Metropolis over two weekends.
Representatives from close by villages journey to Oaxaca Metropolis and carry out conventional dances whereas exhibiting off their stunning, genuine clothes. This pageant is a celebration of the indigenous communities that make up the State of Oaxaca (of which, there are 16).
It’s tough to get tickets for the massive present, however take a look at Ticketmaster Mexico to see if you will discover some. If not, there are various free occasions that happen on the town streets.
16. Whale Shark Competition
This pageant takes place in July on Isla Mujeres, celebrating the sweetness and tradition of the island. As you would possibly count on from the title, the primary attraction are the quite a few whale sharks that inhabit the waters right here.
Along with swimming with the majestic whale sharks, you can too take pleasure in some conventional dancing, feast on native meals, and peruse handicrafts from native artisans.
That is greater than a pageant, it’s a technique to educate individuals on the significance of eco-friendly tourism, and the preservation and conservation of not solely whale sharks, however all the marine ecosystem.
17. Worldwide Mariachi Competition
The state of Jalisco is named the birthplace of mariachi music, and its capital metropolis of Guadalajara hosts an enormous pageant every August. There are gala performances in the gorgeous theatre that you just’ll want a ticket for. Make sure you purchase them in advance as they go shortly.
For those who can’t snag a ticket in time, by no means concern — there are many free occasions in the town’s many plazas and malls. After I went, I even noticed a Japanese band known as Mariachi Samurai! This is likely one of the finest music festivals in Mexico.
18. Chamber Music Competition
For those who’re extra in classical music, you’ll need to head to San Miguel de Allende for this wonderful pageant. Award-winning musicians from all around the world come right here to carry out over just a few weeks in August.
19. Independence Day
Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th. Within the lead-up to the vacation, cities and cities all around the nation are decked out in the colors of the flag because the patriotic spirit takes over.
Talking of the colors of the flag, make sure to strive the most well-liked dish for this vacation — chiles en nogada. It’s a inexperienced pepper topped with a walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds, representing all Three colors of the flag (inexperienced, white and pink).
20. Fiestas de Octubre
Town of Guadalajara enjoys a fiesta a lot that they’ve one for all the month of October! You may count on numerous mariachi and tequila in the state that they arrive from.
In fact, there’s additionally loads of scrumptious Mexican meals on supply in addition to numerous fascinating cultural applications. Get there at first of the month to see the massive parade that kicks issues off.
21. Cervantino Competition
Guanajuato is likely one of the most picturesque locations to go to in all of Mexico. Town hosts a 2-week lengthy pageant in October that includes music, movies, grasp lessons, and a lot, way more.
22. Day of the Useless
Referred to as Día de Muertos in Spanish, this conventional vacation is widely known all throughout Mexico. Households construct elaborate ofrendas (altars) to honour the deceased and welcome them house.
When you would possibly assume {that a} pageant known as Day of the Useless is usually a bit morose, that’s removed from the case. It’s a really vibrant and festive time in Mexico.
For those who can, time your go to for October 31st – November 2nd and take pleasure in this celebration in Mexico. Oaxaca Metropolis and Mexico Metropolis are two good locations to benefit from the pageant.
23. Revolution Day
On the third Monday in November, Mexico celebrates its Revolution Day. This commemorates the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910 and is a day filled with parades, speeches, and different patriotic occasions.
24. Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe
December 12th is an important vacation in Mexico. At the present time honours the patroness of the nation — the Virgin of Guadalupe. It’s mentioned that she appeared to a younger man named Juan Diego in Mexico Metropolis again in 1531.
Probably the most well-known celebrations happen on the basilica that bears her title in the capital metropolis. Individuals flock from all around the nation right here, lots of them crawling on their palms and knees for miles to reach on the basilica.
25. Christmas
Christmas is an enormous deal in Mexico, and all the month of December is stuffed with festivities. One of many extra Mexican traditions is to attend a posada. These happen throughout the 9 days main as much as Christmas Eve, as individuals reenact Mary and Joseph’s seek for an inn.
Whereas it’s positively a household vacation, there’s so much occurring for guests as nicely. You may see Christmas processions and different public celebrations, and many eating places and resorts host massive dinners for the vacation.
Prepared for Mexican Festivals?
Mexico is legendary for lots of issues — tacos, mariachi, tequila, lucha libre…and festivals!
As you’ll be able to see, Mexico has a pageant for almost the whole lot. Whether or not you’re into meals, music, or absorbing the native tradition, there’s a Mexican pageant for you.
I extremely suggest touring to Mexico for one of many nation’s many festivals should you get the possibility. It’s all the time an eye-opening expertise celebrating with the locals, and Mexico is aware of how one can have a superb time!
Have you ever ever been to a Mexican pageant? We’d love to listen to extra about it! Depart a remark beneath.
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