|
|
|
|
Jan. 1 + |
New Years Day Año Nuevo | |
Jan. 6 |
Feast of Epiphany Día de los Santos Reyes | The three kings bring gifts to the children. End of the Christmas festivities. A rich, twisted bread with a doll hidden inside called roscas de reyes is sold. |
Jan. 17 |
Feast of San Antonio Abad Día de San Antonio Abad | Honors animals. Pets and livestock are decorated with flowers and ribbons and taken to church to be blessed. |
Jan. 20 | Feast of San Sebastian | Celebrated by the Mixtec indians in Pinotepa Don Luis near Pinotepa Nacional. |
Feb. 2 | Día de la Candelaria | Streets are decorated with lanterns and there are fiestas, parades, and bullfights. Plants, seeds, and candles are blessed. |
Feb. 5 + | Constitution Day | Commemorates the constitutions of 1857 and 1917. |
Feb. 24 + | Flag Day | |
The week before Ash Wednesday, usually late Feb. | Carnival | A five-day celebration beginning the weekend before Lent. Food, music, dancing. This is big in Barra de Navidad, Jalisco. |
Mar. 17 |
Día de San Patricio Day of St. Patrick | Honors the patron saint of towns with that name, such as San Patricio Melaque, Jalisco, where they have bullfights, fireworks, etc.. |
Mar. 19 |
Día de San José Day of St. Joseph | Honors the patron saint of towns with that name. |
Mar. 21 + | Birthday of Benito Juárez | A Zapotec indian born in Guelatao, Oaxaca, who became governor of Oaxaca and president of Mexico. |
Easter Sunday
+ is the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21. |
Holy Week Semana Santa | The week ending with Easter Sunday. A major Mexican holiday with many celebrations in most every town. Many Mexicans go on vacation at this time. |
about April 26 to about May 10 | Fiesta de Mayo | Manzanillo's main celebration with sports events, art exhibits, parades, concerts, native dances, carnival. |
April 30 |
Día del Niño Childrens' Day | Celebrated in schools with gifts, cakes, candies, piñatas and festivals. |
May 1 + |
Labor Day Primero de Mayo | Workers parade through the streets. |
May 3 |
Día de la Santa Cruz Day of the Holy Cross | |
May 5 + |
Cinco de Mayo Batalla de Puebla Battle of Puebla | The French invasion was defeated at Puebla in 1862. The French were there to collect on a debt but also had designs on establishing an empire in Mexico. This holiday is actually celebrated more by latinos in the U.S.A. than in Mexico. |
May 10 + | Mother's Day | |
May 15 | Feast of San Isidro Labrador | New seeds and animals are blessed. |
June 1 + |
Navy Day Día de la Marina | Celebrated in Mexican seaports such as in Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido. |
June 1 | Feast of Corpus Christi | Celebrated in various ways. |
June 24 | Saint John the Baptist Day | Celebrated by dunking and throwing water on one another |
June 29 | Día de San Pedro | Patron saint of San Pedro Amusgos near Pinotepa Nacional. Religious processions and dancing. |
The two Mondays following July 16 |
Lunes del Cerro Guelaguetza Dance Festival | Dates back to pre-Columbian times, celebrated in the city of Oaxaca. Guelaguetza is a zapotec word meaning to participate and cooperate. [Link to more information] |
July 25 | Feast of Santiago | Patron Saint of Pinotepa Nacional and Xanica. Celebrated in some places with Mexican-style rodeos charreadas. |
Aug 5 |
Fisherman's Day Día del Pescador | Celebrated in Puerto Angel. |
Aug 15 | Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary | Celebrated with religious processions |
Aug 26 | Feast of San Agustín | Customary to prepare chiles en nogada. |
Sep 14 |
Día de Charro Cowboy Day | Celebrated throughout Mexico. |
Sep 15 | Independence Day | In the evening, mayors reenact Father Hidalgo's Grito de Delores from city hall balconies. |
Sep 16 + | Independence Day | In 1810, Father Hidalgo y Costilla and his followers initiated an uprising against the Spanish. |
1st Sunday Oct. | Virgin of the RosaryVirgen de la Rosario | Celebrated in San Pedro Amusgos near Pinotepa Nacional. Religious processions and dancing. |
Oct. 1 |
Día del Angel Day of the Angel | A large procession, fireworks, and dancing honors the patron saint of Puerto Angel. |
Oct. 4 |
Día de San Francisco Day of St. Francis | Honors the patron saint of towns with this name. |
Oct. 12 + |
Columbus Day Día de la Raza | Celebrating the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the continent. |
Nov. 1 |
Día de Muertos Chiquitos, or The Day of the Little Dead, and Día de Todos Santos All Saints' Day | Begins the celebration of Días de los Muertos by honoring the souls of children. |
Nov. 2 |
Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead All Souls' Day | A festive celebration honoring the departed. Graves are decorated with flowers and food. |
Nov. 6 - Dec. 10 (approximate) |
Puerto Escondido's November Festival | An annual event featuring beauty contests, sailfishing tournament, surfing competition, native dancing, races, art exhibitions, music. |
Nov. 20 + | Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution | In the revolution of 1910-17, revolutionaries overthrew the dictatorship of General Porfirio Díaz. |
Nov. 29 | Día de San Andres | Patron saint of San Juan Colorado near Pinotepa Nacional. A Mixtec celebration with church services and dancing. |
Dec. 1 | Inauguration Day | Occurs every 6 years: 2000, 2006, etc. |
Dec. 12 |
Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe | Mexico's patron saint |
Dec. 12 + | Flag Day | Honoring the flag of Mexico. |
Dec. 16 | Las Posadas | Candlelight processions celebrating Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Celebrations continue through January 6. |
Dec. 18 | Virgen de Soledad | A fiesta honoring Oaxaca's patron saint and protector of fishermen. Celebrated in Puerto Escondido. |
Dec. 23 |
Noche de Rabano Night of the Radishes | Celebrated in Oaxaca. Carved radishes are displayed, buñuelos are served, ceramic plates are smashed in the streets. |
Dec. 25 + |
Christmas Navidad | During the week before Christmas are candlelight processions, parties, and piñatas filled with candy and toys. This is a major holiday period and vacations are often taken at this time. |