| January 1 |
Año Nuevo
New Year's Day, official Mexican holiday |
|
| January 6 |
Día de los Santos Reyes
Mexicans exchange Christmas gifts in accordance
with the arrival of the 3 gift-bearing wise
men to Jesus Christ. |
|
| January 17 |
Feast Day of de San Antonio de
Abad Religious holiday where the
Catholic Church allows animals to enter the
church for blessing. |
Mexicans
LOVE parades...they'll parade for
almost anything or nothing at all. Holidays
are of course big occasions for parades, but
witness an account by a bartender at a local
bar:
Yesterday, as I relaxed after work tending
bar in La Escondida, I heard the faint sound
of drumming. The booming neared and the urge
to see what was happening overtook me. I went
outside and stood barefoot on the cobblestone
street. I caught sight of lights from a police-escort
truck and realized my neighbourhood was in
store for a parade.
First, there were several youths on drums
beating the march. I saw some native dancers,
and then a full marching band of what appeared
to be young teens. Someone was carrying a
sign displaying the name of a school. Finally,
a group of adults and children carrying lit
candles passed.
My boyfriend asked what I thought the parade
was for. I replied, “Honey, we’re
in Puerto Vallarta. They're parading because
they’ve learned the song and want to
share it with us all.” Who knows? They
could have been trying to elicit support for
their school or celebrating one of Mexico’s
many holidays I have trouble keeping up with.
I can’t count how many parades I’ve
witnessed since moving to Puerto Vallarta
that don’t seem to be celebrating anything
more than life. It was just another day in
paradise.
|
| Early February (varies) |
Carnival 5-day celebration
of the libido before the Catholic lent. Begins
the weekend before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated
with parades, floats and dancing in the streets,
official Mexican holiday |
| February 5 |
Día de la Constitución
Mexico's Constitution, official Mexican holiday |
| February 24 |
Dia de la Bandera
Flag Day Mexican flag day, official Mexican
holiday |
| March 21 |
The Birthday of Benito Juárez,
Famous Mexican president and national hero,
official Mexican holiday |
| April (varies) |
Semana Santa Holy
Week that ends the 40-day Lent period which
includes includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Customary to break confetti-filled eggs over
the heads of friends and family. |
| May 1 |
Primero de Mayo
Equivalent to the U.S. Labor Day, official Mexican
holiday |
| May 3 |
Día de la Santa Cruz
(Holy Cross Day) Celebration of Saints and is
celebrated 9 days prior |
| May 5 |
Cinco de Mayo: Batalla
de Puebla (Battle of Puebla) Defeat of
the French army in Puebla, official Mexican
holiday |
| May 10 |
Mother's Day |
| June 1 |
Navy Day Official Mexican
holiday |
| September 1 |
Annual State of the Union
Approximate date when the President delivers
the address in the autumn. |
| September 16 |
Mexican Independence Day
Miguel Hidalgo delivered El Grito de Dolores,
and announced the Mexican revolt against Spanish
rule. The fiestas (parties) for this
holiday actually start the evening before, culminating
in a rousing chant of 'Viva Mexico!' and church-bell
ringing at midnight of the 15th. |
| October 12 |
Día de la Raza
Columbus' arrival to the Americas. |
| November 1 & 2 |
Día de los Muertos
Honoring of Mexico's dead. |
| November 20 |
Mexican Revolution Day Mexican
Revolution of 1910, official Mexican holiday |
| December 12 |
Día de Nuestra Señora
de Guadalupe Virgin of Guadalupe.
This fiesta begins on December 1 in Puerto Vallarta,
and runs for 12 days. Parades, processions,
and parties. |
| December 16 |
Las Posadas Joseph
and Mary's seek for shelter in Bethlehem. Las
Posadas continues through January 6. |
|
| December 25 |
Navidad Christmas
day. |
|
| December 28 |
Día de Santos Innocentes,
("Day of the innocent saints"). Formerly
a religious holiday, it is now the equivelent
of "April Fool's Day". On this day
you should believe NOTHING you hear or read
(newspapers favor this day for headline reporting
of ourtageously ridiculous fabrications. If
you lend money to somebody on this day, they
are under no moral obligation to repay you,
ever. |
|
More Mexico....