This doc is the ultimate guide to Holidays and Mexico, and holidays in Latin America, including dates, historical significance, and other important information.

1. Holidays in Mexico
Are you one of those travelers that are always looking to maximize your cultural immersion
whilst on your adventures?
Here’s a tip for your next vacation -- start by planning ahead and ensuring your travels coincide
with some of the key national holidays celebrated in your host country.
National holidays and how they are celebrated can provide great insight into a nation’s history,
society, and the folklore that they preserve year on year.
In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, they take their national holidays pretty
seriously.
Given their cultural backgrounds, which include their indigenous civilizations, gastronomic
heritage, and turbulent pasts following their conquests, it is of no surprise that when it’s time to
celebrate or commemorate they go all out.

2. Here we highlight the most important dates so you don’t skip the unmissables.
Holidays in Mexico
They say Mexicans are always in for a bash and know how to celebrate big. From small family
gatherings to massive parades, there is sure always an excuse to party!
The Independence Day or El Grito is probably the most admired bank holiday and greatest cause
of national pride.
Mexicans gather at their homes, restaurants or public plazas to toast with tequila and enjoy
traditional garnachas as well as other Mexican antojitos.
They wear mariachi hats, folk outfits or simply the latest national football team’s shirt.
The president in turn, the mayor, and other politicians play the roll of recreating the callings of
priest Miguel Hidalgo with a strong collection of shouts: “¡Viva México!”, whilst waving the
Mexican flag on some sort of a balcony.
And, despite the classic rain and the irremediable controversy between the left and right wing,
for one night only, everyone tries to forget poverty and corruption and rejoices on national
identity.

3. Nobel Prize Octavio Paz, one of Mexico’s most prominent literary figures, was fascinated with
the question of national identity: “What does it mean to be Mexican?”
In his efforts of pining down the concept of Mexican character, he wrote a collection of poems
and essays published throughout his career.
I you are keen to learn more about this topic (and dig into Mexican politics, people, history, and
culture) it is highly recommended to read a beautiful bundle of his work published under the title
of The Labyrinth of Solitude (El laberinto de la soledad).
In the meantime, while you find the book, the calendar below will show you the most important
celebrations in Mexico throughout the year.
DATE SPANISH NAME
ENGLISH NAME OR
AMERICAN EQUIVALENT
January 1st Año Nuevo New Year's Eve
January 6th Día de los Reyes Magos Wise Kings' Day
February 2nd Fiesta de la Candelaria Candelaria Day

4. February 5th Día de la Constitución Constitution Day
March 21st
Aniversario del Natalicio de
Benito Juárez
Anniversary of the Birth of Benito
Juárez
Varies according to the
moon calendar
Jueves Santo Holy Thursday
Varies according to the
moon calendar
Viernes Santo Holy Friday
First full moon after the
Spring Equinox
Domingo de Pascua Easter Sunday
May 1st Día del Trabajo Labour Day
May 10th Día de las Madres Mother's Day
May 5th
Aniversario de la Batalla de
Puebla
(Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla)
Cinco de Mayo
3rd Sunday of June Día del Padre Father's Day
September 16th
Día de la Independencia de
México
México's Independence Day
October 12th Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) Columbus Day
November 1st Día de Todos los Santos Day of All Saints
November 2nd Día de Muertos Day of the Dead
November 20th
Día de la Revolución
Mexicana
Mexican Revolution Day
December 12th
Día de la Virgen de
Guadalupe
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
December 24th Noche Buena Christmas Eve
December 25th Navidad Christmas Day
It has to be said that, even though there have been tremendous efforts from politicians such as
ex-president Benito Juárez to separate the Church affairs from the State matters, Mexican history
is like a colorful stained glass filled with a mix of symbols from ancient civilizations such as the
Mayas and the Aztec, Western philosophy, and Christian dogma.
The truth is that many long-standing public holidays are rooted in spiritual faith.
Let’s begin with the symbol of the Virgin Mary in Mexican imaginary. Every twelfth of
December, millions of people pay a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and take part
in one of the biggest pilgrimages in the American continent.
Women and men from all ages and all parts of the country flee to her sanctuary to offer fresh
flowers, pledge for eternal salvation, express gratitude or ask for a miracle.

5. Throughout the night, fireworks light up the sky and mariachis serenade the picture of la Virgen
de Guadalupe, whose image is believed to appear in 1531 on Juan Diego’s clothing, an
indigenous young man.
Following the cult of the Virgen de Guadalupe, the celebrations of the Holy Week (Semana
Santa) must be consider. T
here are numerous events that have merged religious observances with popular folklore and
currently attract thousands of tourists.
One of the most impressive rites is the Via Crucis, when massive live representations of the
Stations of the Cross take place in several cities such as Puebla, San Luis Potosí, and Querétaro;
being the one in Mexico City the oldest one.
Another notable Mexican public holiday born from Catholicism is the Día de Reyes. Children
receive presents “from the Three Kings” on the morning of the sixth of January.
This tradition came from Europe and it was quickly spread by Catholic families.

6. It commemorates the biblical passage that narrates the visit of the three wise men and their
offerings brought from the Far East to baby Jesus.
On that day, families and friends get together and share a cup of hot chocolate paired with a
traditional oval-shaped bread called Rosca de Reyes, which is decorated with a sugary coating,
fruit cheese strips, and crystalized figs.
Each person cuts a slice and whoever gets the hidden baby-figure (made from ceramic or plastic)
must get the tamales for the Calendaria´s party on the second of February.
Finally, the most iconic Mexican holiday paved over sacred grounds is the Day of the Dead or
Día de Muertos, when the loved ones who have left this world are remembered in a very special
way.
Families build altars at home or visit the pantheon to decorate their relative´s tombs. It is
believed that the spirits come back for one night to enjoy their favorite food and drinks.
Popular films such as The Book of Life and Coco have helped to publicize this ancient tradition
dedicated to honor one´s ancestors, as well as other deceased kindreds and friends.

7. Apart from the altars, there are parade, poetry readings and other activities that make the Day of
the Death a unique feature of Mexican cultural heritage.
For your convenience, the list below shows which are national holidays, largely connected to
historical moments, and which are celebrations related to spiritual traditions, considered
“unofficial” but usually embraced by most of the population.
SPANISH NAME
NATIONAL BANK
HOLIDAY
SPIRITUAL/RELIGIOUS
CELEBRATION
Año Nuevo x
Día de los Reyes Magos x
Fiesta de la Candelaria x
Día de la Constitución x
Aniversario del Natalicio de
Benito Juárez
x
Jueves Santo x
Viernes Santo x
Domingo de Pascua x
Día del Trabajo x
Día de las Madres
Aniversario de la Batalla de
Puebla
x
Día del Padre
Día de la Independencia de
México
x
Día de la Raza
Día de Todos los Santos x
Día de Muertos
Día de la Revolución
Mexicana
x
Día de la Virgen de
Guadalupe
x
Noche Buena x
Navidad x x
Other Latin American Holidays

8. As we mentioned earlier, many Latin American territories share a similar history in the sense that
the native populations were conquered and converted to Christianity following the discovery of
the Americans.
Not surprisingly then most Latin American countries have the twelfth of October marked down
on their calendars as a national holiday titled El Día de la Raza (The Day of the Race).
In the United States of America this date is known as Columbus Day, the day Cristobal Colón
made landfall in the Americas having crossed the Atlantic from Spain.
Some Latin American countries have changed the name to fit a more politically correct vision of
that historical event such as the Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Cultural Diversity
Respect Day) in Argentina and Día del Encuentro de Dos Mundos (Meeting of Two Worlds
Day) in Peru.
Thus, despite the oppression that many native people suffered following Colons arrival, this is
now a date to celebrate their culture, which has endured, survived or transmuted beyond the
conquest.

9. A subsequent reflection on the history of many Latin American nations is the commemoration of
their Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) and/or the anniversary of a revolution.
The earliest being Haiti (becoming independent from France in 1804) and the latest being Cuba
(severing ties with Spain in 1902, almost 100 years later).
Aside from the more historically significant holidays, let’s not forget that Latin America also has
some amazing festivals that should not be disregarded.
Here are some of the most astounding events to look out for this 2020:
Argentina
• International BA Tango Festival and Championship, August.
• The San Antonio de Areco Gaucho Festival, November.
Bolivia
• Oruru Carnival (Dance of the Devils), February.
• Festival de la Candelaria, February.
Brazil
• Carnival de Rio de Janeiro, February/March.
The origins of the carnival are to signal the beginning of Lent. Thus, the party starts 40 days
before Holy Week and symbolizes the last crazy and profane days prior to this important
religious event, hence its frivolous and vibrant displays.
Chile
• Fiesta de la Vendimia de Chile (Chile Wine Festival), March and April.
• Semana Valdiviana, February.
• International Festival of Viña del Mar, February.
Colombia
• International Film Festival, March.
• Medellin Flower Fair, August.
Costa Rica
• Festival de la Luz, December.

10. Cuba
• Festival del Caribe, Fiesta del Fuego, July.
• Havana World Music Festival, March.
Peru
• Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun, June.
If you are looking to immerse yourself in Latin America’s cultural heritage, consider learning the
basic vocabulary of the language you are most interested in before traveling to a particular
territory.
Check out our FREE Spanish Survival Crash Course to catch up on basic Spanish! We'll send
you free audio files and PDFs to use as a guide to speaking for your trip.
Ready for the adventure?