Mexican Vacation Festivals, Carnivals and Special Events

JANUARY

New Year’s Day – Festivities all over the country; rural areas hold agricultural fairs. People throughout the region celebrate the New Year with a midnight dance and the burning of an effigy representing the old year.

Feast of the Ephiphany, or Three Kings’ Day – Children receive their presents from the three wise men on this traditional day of gift-giving. The traditional cake Rosca de Reyes (King’s cake) is served.

FEBRUARY

Candelmas – During the first week of February, many villages mark the end of the Christmas season celebrating with candlelight processions. On February 2, the person who found the small Jesus figurine (El Nino) in their piece of King’s cake hosts this final Christmas party where traditional food and drink is served.

Constitution Day – February 5 is a National holiday commemorated with speeches and ceremonies.

Flag Day – “Dia de la Bandera” In mid-February, the streets are filled with Mexican flag vendors, and then on February 24, everyone places flags on their cars and children sing patriotic songs in a flag ceremony.

MARCH

Carnival – Cancun celebrates this pre-Ash Wednesday event during the first half of March. All over town, locals dress in elaborate costumes and celebrate with parades, floats, and street parties.

Vernal Equinox – In late March, visitors go to the main temple at Chichen Iza to witness a phenomenon of light and shadow which represents the descent of the serpent Kukulkan.

APRIL

Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun – On April 20, throughout the downtown area, residents celebrate the origin of their city with parades and street parties.

Holy Week and Easter – During the Easter holiday, there are celebration and processions in observance of Christ’s resurrection.

MAY

Cinco de Mayo – A national holiday commemorating Mexico’s defeat of the French in 1862 is celebrated on May 5 with parades and fireworks.

Mother’s Day — On May 8, 2005, stores throughout the city give out small gifts and people stop mothers In the street to thank them for all their hard work.

Cancun Jazz Festival – Each year, the best jazz musicians in the world perform live, free nightly concerts throughout the city both downtown and in the Hotel Zone. The festival culminates with an enormous evening beach bash.

JUNE

Caribbean Hotel International Congress – An exposition of various foods and services that are offered throughout the area is held during the last week of June at the annual meeting of Caribbean hotel proprietors.

JULY

Mayan New Year – July 16 starts the Mayan New Year which is celebrated at the ruins at Chichen Itza.

SEPTEMBER

Viva Mexico! – September 1-22 celebrate everything Mexican during this colorful 3 week festival of food, music, sports, and fun.

Independence Day — On September 16th residents celebrate the liberation of Mexico with festivities downtown and on Isla Mujeres.

Autumn Equinox at Chichen Itza – The sun casts its rays on the Chichen Itza pyramid creating the illusion of a serpent moving down the steps. Thousands of people flock to the site five days prior and up to five days after the passing of the equinox.

OCTOBER

Race Day – “Dia de la Raza” is on October 12. This celebration traditionally commemorated the arrival of Columbus, but now it is an effort to celebrate the Hispanic heritage of the Americas and the multicultural heritage of everyone that contributed to it.

Eve of All Souls Day – On October 31, residents bring flowers and candles to the graves of their loved ones.

NOVEMBER

All Souls Day and Day of the Dead are November 1-2. Throughout Mexico, there are graveside and church ceremonies in a festive atmosphere and a family meal is eaten at the gravesite.

International Gastonomic Festival – Taste cuisine from around the world at Cancun’s gastronomic event in paradise!

International Caribbean Cultural Festival — Held in November
and hosted by the state of Quintana Roo. Performers come from all over parts of the Caribbean to participate in this annual event of poetry dance and song. All the major salsa groups throughout the Caribbean come to perform.

Movie Festival – During the month of November, international cinema enthusiasts gather and screen the world’s best new independent films.

Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution – On November 20, the Mexican Revolution of 1910 is celebrated with parades, speeches and ceremonies.

DECEMBER

Early December — The Most Beautiful Marathon in the
world. An international running event is put on by the city of Cancun The route starts off at the Hotel Zone and goes through downtown and ends up back in the Hotel Zone.

Festival of the Immaculate Conception – “Fiesta de la Concepcion Immaculae” is observed for six days throughout the villages of Quantana Roo with processions, folkloric music and dance, fireworks, and bullfights.

Christmas Festivities – “Las Posadas” Nine days before Christmas the streets come alive with street fairs, piñata breaking, colorful Nativity scenes, and participation in plays that portray Mary and Joseph in their search for Christ’s birthplace.

Christmas Week – “Navidad” From December 16-25, throughout the Yucatan, Christmas is celebrated with processions and mass. Children go door to door singing Christmas songs and asking for donations.