What are the holidays of Mexico?
Alfonso Galindo - I Go Yucatan
Easter weekend and Christmas holidays are very big in Mexico, as well as the summer break which is usually in July. Those are the major holidays and there are also national days to celebrate a president or an event across Mexico.
Holidays such as Easter and Christmas are celebrated in Mexico in much the same way they are celebrated in the US.
Mexico has an Independence Day and a day that resembles Halloween called Dia de...
Easter weekend and Christmas holidays are very big in Mexico, as well as the summer break which is usually in July. Those are the major holidays and there are also national days to celebrate a president or an event across Mexico.
Holidays such as Easter and Christmas are celebrated in Mexico in much the same way they are celebrated in the US.
Mexico has an Independence Day and a day that resembles Halloween called Dia de Los Muertos, which is celebrated across Mexico. Dia de los Muertos has become a famous event internationally, and in Mexico it is an important event where Mexicans honor their past loved ones who have died. Their tradition is Dia de Los Muertos is to celebrate life and welcome the souls of departed loved ones back for that day so that they can be with their families. The time of the year corresponds roughly to the same days as Halloween.
Cinco de Mayo is generally not celebrated in countrywide in Mexico. It might celebrate in the city of Puebla where the even took place, which was a battle that was won by the Mexican army against the French nationals. It is not, as is thought by many in the US, the Mexican equivalent of the 4th of July. It’s just the commemoration of a famous battle wherein a Mexican ragtag army beat Napoleon’s French army.
Our independence celebration is celebrated in September, and is quite a big event. Not only does the president come out to do a big speech at the circle in Mexico City, but there are many reenactments in important cities like Guanajuato where the so-called “shout for independence” was started by Father Miguel Hidalgo.
Here in Merida right now we’re preparing for a carnival. Yep, carnival is just around the corner and then that’s celebrated very big here in Merida. The important cities in Mexico were they celebrate carnival would be Mazatlan, Veracruz, and here in Merida. Generally speaking, carnival is celebrated here the same way it is celebrated in New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro, although certain cities are a little bit different. Merida’s carnival tends to be much more family oriented whereas you can compare how carnival is celebrated in Mazatlan and Veracruz more to the more wild celebrations in New Orleans and Brazil.
In Mexico, Mother’s Day is very important, because Mexico is very family-oriented. You can expect Mother’s Day to be a very important holiday here. I would compare it to where people fly home for Thanksgiving in the US. People definitely come home for Mother’s day. In Mexico, Mother’s Day is bigger than Father’s Day.
Mexico is a Catholic country so Easter is a big deal. We have our very Catholic followers who complain because Easter here has become one of the most important vacation times where families come to vacation all across the beaches in Mexico rather than celebrating the more religious aspects of what Easter is meant to be. So you might have some Catholic followers a little upset that people have changed the holiday to make it an opportunity for a vacation.
(Carnival in Mexico, pictured.)
Posted January 27, 2016
Gary Coles - Paradise For Gringos
It seems that there are always holidays in Mexico. You can say, Mexicans love holidays -- but don’t we all? Here are some of the more important and their dates for 2016:.
- Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) - Jan 1
- Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany) - Jan 6 -- This is a fun celebration because it is just after Christmas and the children receive more toys. There is a ring-shaped cake called Rosca de Reyes...
It seems that there are always holidays in Mexico. You can say, Mexicans love holidays -- but don’t we all? Here are some of the more important and their dates for 2016:.
- Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) - Jan 1
- Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany) - Jan 6 -- This is a fun celebration because it is just after Christmas and the children receive more toys. There is a ring-shaped cake called Rosca de Reyes (Kings’ Cake) that is served. it contains a hidden figurine of the Christ child and the person who finds it gets to host a party for the Day of Candlemas. Naturally, the first time I was at the celebration, I was the one who found the cake and bought the traditional tamales for Candlemas. Dia de Candelaria (Candlemas) - Feb 2 This is normally a small family tradition ( with tamales) but in some communities there are major fiestas and even bullfights -- The state of Veracruz is one location.
- Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day) - Feb 5
- Miércoles de Ceniza (Ash Wednesday) - Feb 10 -- This is an important Christian holiday and to me it is interesting to see how many people can be seen that day with the ashes on their foreheads
- Día de San Valentín (Valentine's Day) - Feb 14
- Día de la Bandera (Flag Day) - Feb 24
- Natalicio de Benito Juárez (President Benito Juárez's birthday) - Mar 21
- Viernes Santo (Good Friday) - Mar 25
- Domingo de Pascua (Easter) - Mar 27
- Día del Niño (Children's Day) - Apr 30
- Día del Trabajo (Labor Day) - May 1
- Cinco de Mayo (battle of Puebla) -- May 5 Although many from the US and Canada think this is Independence Day -- it is not and is not an official holiday. It has been important in Puebla because it celebrates an important battle in that city. It is now becoming more important throughout the country with more US influence.
- Día de las Madres (Mother’s Day) - May 10
- Día del Maestro (Teacher's Day) - May 15
- Día del Estudiante (Students' Day) - May 23
- Dia de la Marina (Navy Day) - Jun 1
- Día del Padre (Father’s Day) - Jun 19
- Grito de Dolores (Shout of Dolores) - Sept 15 -- Typically the President of Mexico rings the bell and repeats the call for independence each year from the national Palace at 12 pm.
- Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) - Sept 16
- Descubrimiento de América (Columbus Day) - Oct 12
- Dia de las Brujas (Haloween) - Oct 31 -- This day is becoming much more important to children with trick or treating.
- Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day - Day of the Dead) - Nov 1 A unique tradition in Mexico is to remember the dead. Ancient beliefs were that the dead returned and it was a time to be happy and to celebrate. This occurs on two days, Nov 1 and 2..
- Día de los Fieles Difuntos (All Souls' Day - Day of the Dead) - Nov 2
- Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) - Nov 20
- Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) - Dec 12 -- This is a major religious celebration of the day that the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to a native, San Juan Diego. People from all over Mexico make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgen of Guadalupe in the northern part of Mexico City for this holiday
- Las Posadas - Dec 16 to Dec 24 -- This novena is normally held in the evenings and often special events for children.
- Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) - Dec 24
- Navidad (Christmas) - Dec 25
- Dia de los Santos Innocentes (Day of the Innocents) - Dec 28 -- This is a day for pranks and practical jokes. The news media will often have phony stories. It is similar to April Fools’ Day -- and if someone asks to borrow money, WATCH OUT! They will not repay it.
- Año Nuevo Vìspera (New Year's Eve) - Dec 31
And if these are not enough, there are always many more festivals and carnivals in local communities.
Posted January 31, 2016