Popular Mexican Festivals – Monthly Fiesta Calendar In Mexico

Very few will disagree, if any, that Mexico has the grandest and most vibrant festivals in the world. As the Nobel Prize-winning Mexican poet Octavio Paz put it, “The art of the fiesta has been debased almost everywhere else, but not in Mexico.”

Mexicans throw parties like no other. They have festivals all throughout the year. It’s amazing how they always find the reason to get together with family and friends to eat, drink, and be merry! And as most of these festivities are really grand and celebrated on a large scale, it is hardly surprising that these events have been attracting tourists from all over the world.

If you’re planning to visit Mexico soon, don’t miss out on these grand celebrations. There’s no better time to acquaint yourself with the country’s rich culture and tradition than experiencing it yourself through any of these festivals.

There’s no perfect way to experience Mexico’s rich culture and tradition than to witness these festivals yourself. So it’s best to plan your trip to Mexico with these dates in mind.

Here are the most popular Mexican festivals you shouldn’t miss if you happen to be in Mexico in any month of the year.

Popular Mexican Festivals – Monthly Fiesta Calendar In Mexico

Mexican Festivals in January

Día de la Candelaria

When: Right after the Three Kings’ Day
Where: All of Mexico – but more significantly in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz

Also known as Candlemas, Día de la Candelaria is celebrated right after the Three Kings’ Day.

Día de la Candelaria is a religious festival where people bring figures of the Christ Child (after dressing them up) to the church and have them blessed. Families gather together afterward to feast on sweets like Rosca De Reyes, a type of sweet bread that’s a customary treat for this day, as well as tamales and atole.

This celebration is mainly focused on religion and family gatherings but in some places like Tlacotalpan, in the Mexican state of Veracruz, it is celebrated as a major fiesta with bullfights and colorful parades.

Mexican Festivals in February

Son Jarocho Music Festival

When: 8th of February
Where: Tlacotalpan, Veracruz

Celebrated every 8th of February, Son Jarocho Music Festival (“Veracruz Sound”) features a combination of religion and contemporary music. This is one of Mexico’s most dazzling events following the Día de la Candelaria, where thousands of people flock to the colonial riverside town of Tlacotalpan in the state of Veracruz.

During the festival, a huge image of the Virgin Mary is floated on the river to signify her apparition (according to the legends). The fluvial parade is then followed by a three-day simultaneous musical festival showcasing traditional Veracruz music performed by a lot of artists from all over Mexico.

Mexican Festivals in March

Festival de México en el Centro Histórico

When: Mid- to late March, depending on Easter
Where: Mexico City

The month of March is a huge treat for art and culture lovers not only in Mexico City but in all of Mexico, as well as the neighboring countries as it is deemed one of Latin America’s most exciting celebrations of art and culture.

Festival de México en el Centro Histórico, or the Annual Mexico City Festival, is a two-week festival that takes place from mid- to late March, depending when Easter falls on a particular year.

During this time, you can choose from over 50 venues scattered all over the Mexican capital to watch top-notch performances on dance, music, theater, and opera performed by national and international acts.

Founded in 1985, the festival was meant to rehabilitate the Historic Center of Mexico. Its main goals are to attract more visitors and create a positive image of the city by showcasing its architectural, cultural, and artistic wonders.

Festival de México en el Centro Histórico highlights the country’s tradition through artistic avant-garde performances that will satisfy the love for art and culture in anyone. However, for those who aren’t into performing arts, the festival also features art exhibits and gourmet events, so there is something for everyone.

Veracruz Carnival

When: Held in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday
Where: Heroica Veracruz, Veracruz

This 9-day event – the date varies depending on the dates of Easter – is Mexico’s biggest carnival. The Veracruz Carnival is huge considering the fact that Mexican carnivals are known to be among the most extravagant in the world.

The origin of the modern Veracruz Carnival can be traced back to the colonial period when residents living in neighborhoods outside the city wall created new forms of music and dance inspired by European, African, and indigenous traditions.

The Veracruz Carnival features vibrant and colorful parades, dance performances, and live music. Aside from having fun and partying all night, you are bound to eat and drink beyond necessary during this time as well.

This is also our chance to buy handicrafts from Indians who’ve walked a day’s journey from their villages to sell their products on the sidewalks of Veracruz.

Benito Juárez’s Birthday

When: 21st of March
Where: Nationwide, but especially in Guelatao, Oaxaca

This national holiday is celebrated in honor of one of Mexico’s most beloved leaders, Benito Pablo Juárez García. He was a Zapotec, making him the first Mexican president of indigenous origin. He was the 26th president of Mexico who served from 1858 until his death in 1872.

Benito Juárez’s birthday is observed through small hometown celebrations, but it is most special in Guelatao,Oaxaca – Juárez’s birthplace.

Mexican Festivals in April

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

When: The week before Easter
Where: All of Mexico

Like most Christians all over the world, Mexicans celebrate the Holy Week, or Semana Santa, on a grand scale. The Semana Santa is that week prior to Easter. Next to Christmas, the Semana Santa is the second biggest holiday in Mexico – something that is hardly surprising considering the country is comprised of 90% Catholics.

The Semana Santa combines religious rituals such as Catholic masses and processions with festive celebrations, making this festival a meaningful yet a fun-filled one.

Some places celebrate the Semana Santa louder than the others. In Mazatlán in the state of Sinaloa, they celebrate it with the world-famous Mazatlán Carnival, which is attended by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world.

The Feria Nacional de San Marcos (San Marcos National Fair)

When: Date varies but set around the Feast Day of San Marcos on 25th of April
Where: City of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes

The Feria Nacional de San Marcos is Mexico’s largest fair, lasting 22 days and attended by millions of visitors who flock the city of Aguascalientes for cockfights, rodeos, and bullfights. There are also folk dancing, ranchera music, and mariachis, as well as markets, craft and industrial exhibits, and lots of fireworks.

The San Marcos Fair, before it was called such, was first held around harvest time from 5th to the 20th of November in 1828, in celebration of the state of Aguascalientes‘ produce and livestock.

In 1842, when the outside balustrade of San Marcos Park was built, the date of celebration was changed to April in honor of the patron saint San Marcos (Saint Mark).

Mexican Festivals in May

Día del Trabajo (Labor Day)

When: 1st of May
Where: Nationwide

A public holiday in Mexico as well as in over 80 other countries worldwide, Labor Day or Día del Trabajo – also known as Primero de Mayo or May Day – is held on he first day of May as a commemoration of the achievements of the labor movement in the country. It is characterized by workers’ parades all over the country and (almost) every establishment is closed.

Cinco de Mayo

When: 5th of May
Where: Nationwide

As the name implies, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated every 5th day of May. It is to commemorate Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla. Although Cinco de Mayo is said to be more popular in the US (with a large Mexican-American population), it is still very significant in Mexico.

The celebration usually lasts for a week with costume parades, musical and other cultural events, and of course – lots of delectable Mexican food.

Mexican Festivals in June

Día de la Marina Nacional (Navy Day)

When: 1st of June
Where: All coastal towns in Mexico

On the first day of June in all of Mexico’s coastal towns, the country commemorates its armed forces for their role in the War of Independence and following civil unrest. The Mexican Navy Day also honors the members of the Navy, past and present, for their service to the nation.

During this day, all Mexican coastal towns celebrate the event with naval parades and fireworks.

Corpus Christi

When: Thursday following Holy Trinity Sunday
Where: Countrywide

This holiday is celebrated in honor of the Body of Christ, or the Holy Eucharist, with large Catholic Masses and processions – and lots of food. Plenty of festivities take place, including the performances of flying pole dancers called voladores, which is held beside the church and at the ruins of El Tajín, in the state of Veracruz.

In the Mexican capital, it is customary for kids to dress up like Indians and carry decorated fruit baskets to the National Cathedral for the priest’s blessing.

On this holiday, you can buy mulitas or mules that are handcrafted and painted dried cornhusks, and which are symbolic of prayers for fertility. Mulitas will make great souvenirs from your Mexican trip if you happen to be in the country on day. They are traditionally sold outside churches.

Mexican Festivals in July

Guelaguetza Festival

When: Two Mondays following July 16
Where: Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

The streets of the Mexican city of Oaxaca are filled with colors for two Mondays in July after the 16th. The Guelaguetza Festival is an annual celebration of art, dance, and music. It brings the eight regions together to showcase their rich tradition and cultural heritage through their music, dances, and traditional attire.

Also known as Los Lunes del Cerro, or Mondays on the Hill, the Guelaguetza Festival is an amazing cultural experience for tourists. Its roots can be traced back to the Zapotec tradition of celebrating the goddess of corn called Xilonen.

When the Aztecs seized Oaxaca, the festival changed to worship the Aztec corn goddess Centeotl. However, the tradition stayed pretty much the same.

The Guelaguetza is also known as a celebration in honor of the Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), emphasizes Marianism with a combination of the surviving beliefs from both the Zipotec and Aztec times.

If you are planning to visit Oaxaca City specifically for the Guelaguetza Festival, it’s best that you plan ahead since the tickets for the cultural program for the said festival are sold in advance.

Mexican Festivals in August

Feria Nacional Potosina (National Potosina Fair)

When: all the month of August
Where: San Luis Potosí

The Feria Nacional Potosina (FENAPO) or National Potosina Fair is one of the most important festivals in the state of San Luis Potosí. The fair is planned many months ahead until it is held at the Fairgrounds of the capital all the month of August.

Thousands of people from different parts of the state as well as the country gather here to take part in the entertaintment, which is also attended by Mexican celebrities. Artists perform every midnight in the Teatro del Pueblo or the Palenque, and all he shows are completely free.

Visitors can also enjoy agri-food and livestock exhibitions, rodeos, bullfights, cockfights, and other cultural, artistic, and sport events.

Mexican Festivals in September

Día de la Independencia (September)

When: 16th of September
Where: Nationwide

Every 16th day of September, Mexicans celebrate their “Cry of Independence.”
Día de la Independencia is celebrated to commemorate Miguel Hidalgo‘s cry of independence in the town of Dolores, in the north-central part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato.

Hidalgo was a Criollo Catholic priest and the leader of the Mexican War of Independence and was considered as the Father of the Nation that time. Mexico gained its independence on 28 September 1821.

The celebration usually runs for a couple of weeks through shows and exhibitions. This is one huge celebration with fiestas (parties), fireworks display, music, dance, and food. Mexican flags are seen everywhere. Flowers and other decorations in red, white, and blue -the color of the Mexican flags – are all over cities and towns in Mexico to celebrate their independence.

You can hear Mexican music filling the streets during this time and see people dancing to it. You can also attend costume parties.

Mexican Festivals in October

Feria del Alfeñique (Alfeñique Fair)

When: Latter part of October
Where: Toluca, State of Mexico

Throughout the latter part of the month of October, the city of Toluca comes alive with candies known as alfeñique. These are created by artisans using traditional sugar paste and are molded into shapes of skulls, skeletons, and pumpkins. These candies are customarily placed on the Día de Muertos altar.

Mexican Festivals in November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

When: 1st and 2nd of November
Where: Nationwide

Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is officially celebrated on the 2nd day of November. However, Mexicans celebrate it on November 1 as well, dedicating it to children, thus, calling it the Día de los Inocentes or Day of the Innocents. They then celebrate Día de Muertos a day after dedicating it to their loved ones who have passed away.

Contrary to its name, however, Día de Muertos is actually a celebration of life. It is the Mexicans’ way to connect the past and the present generations. It has been a family tradition to prepare a feast and share stories from their ancestors.

That way, their memories will live on forever.
This festival started some 3,000 years ago as rituals to honor the dead in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

If you’re familiar with the Disney Pixar’s movie Coco, the plot revolves around Día de Muertos. The movie will give you a glimpse on how important this festival is to the Mexican people.

Mexican Festivals in December

Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe

When: 12th if December
Where: Nationwide

Every 12th of December, Mexico celebrates the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This is to pay respect to the legend of Virgin Mary’s apparition in Mexico City where Basilica De Guadalupe was built. Her appearance is associated with San Juan Diego on the Tepeyac Hill in the year 1531.

Catholics from all over the country, and even foreigners, go on a pilgrimage to see an image of Virgen Morena that is believed to be authentic.

Las Posadas (“The Inns”)

When: Between 16th and 24th of December
Where: Nationwide

Las Posadas, which tanslates from the Spanish as “The Inns,” starts on the 16th of December, marking the beginning of Christmas, and lasts until the Christmas Eve on the 24th of December.

The celebration is meant to commemorate the journey Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethlehem so Mary could find a safe place to give birth to baby Jesus.

The festival is celebrated all over Mexico, where processions of children with lit candles occur in every town. Adults join in the celebrations, too, by singing traditional songs.

If you happen to be in Mexico during this time, you do not only get to witness the reenactment of the birth of Jesus, but you get to enjoy delectable sweets and treats as well. This celebration is best enjoyed in small villages where they usually light up the whole place, which will remind you of scenes from the pages of a fairy-tale book.