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Sep 16, 2022 · Mexican Independence Day 2022: What is the history of the day and how is it celebrated? Several countries in Central and South America mark independence days during Hispanic Heritage Month
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Mexico says foreign firms have pledged $20 billion in...
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The day commemorates El Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, on Sept. 16, 1810 — a call to action by priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla to fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain,...
Sep 15, 2022 · Every year on 16 September, Mexicans at home and across the world gather to celebrate their country’s independence from colonial rule more than two centuries ago.
Sep 16, 2024 · When is Mexican Independence Day? In Mexico, Sept. 15 and 16 are dates that go hand in hand when commemorating the fight for independence.
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New Year’s Day
When: January 1 About:Along with much of the rest of the world, Mexico celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1. It’s traditional for families to come together on this day for some food and to share some stories from the night before. New Year’s Day is a day off for many workers, so don’t be surprised if it seems a little busier than usual.
Epiphany
When: January 6 About: Marking the beginning of the end of the Christmas celebrations, Epiphany sees many Mexicans eat rosca de reyes (king’s cake). This oval-shaped treat is meant to represent the Three Kings in the form of a crown and it might have a little figurine inside which symbolizes Jesus. They say the person who finds the Jesus in their slice should hold a fiesta on Día de la Candelaria.
Candlemass
When: February 2 About: A deeply religious day, Candlemass sees loved ones come together in Mexico to share a meal of tomales. More religious families may also dress a baby Jesus and take it to their church.
Constitution Day
When: First Monday in February About:A day off for Mexican workers, Día de la Constitución marks the day in 1917 when the country’s constitution came into law. You’re likely to see celebrations across the country, including picnics, parties, family gatherings, and festivals.
Valentine’s Day
When: February 14 About:Valentine’s Day in Mexico is celebrated in much the same way as it is elsewhere: chocolates, roses, dates, soppy messages, and romance. However, in Mexico, there is more focus paid on the love between friends so you wouldn’t be out of place sending a little message to your buddies.
Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation
When: March 18 About:Aniversario de la Expropiación petrolera celebrates the day that former Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas signed an order that took control of the majority of the foreign oil companies working in Mexico.
Benito Juarez’s Birthday
When: Third Monday of March About: A public holiday in Mexico, the third Monday of March marks the birthday of Benito Juarez, a celebrated politician and democracy advocate. Indigenous Zapotec, Juarez, went on to become the 26thpresident of Mexico and brought about several political and social changes. Many Mexicans will take advantage of the long weekend to take a trip and spend time with their families.
Extra: Semana Santa and Pascua
When: The week before Easter week About:One of the most important festivals in the Mexican calendar, Mexico’s Easter-time celebrations are divided into two very special weeks: Semana Santa and Pascua. Businesses and schools often close during this religious period, while families will take the chance to have a vacation together. Semana Santa celebrations include parades, ceremonies, rituals, and dramatic reenactments while some towns have their own unique way of celebrating it. Pascua is a ca...
Heroic Defense of Veracruz
When: April 21 About:This civic holiday celebrates the cadets and navy personnel from the Heroica Escuela Naval Militar and Mexican Navy who attempted to defend the city of Veracruz after it was occupied by the United States in 1914.
Children’s Day
When: April 30 About:On Children’s Day, parents might buy presents for their little ones while schools will throw mini celebrations for their pupils. Children enjoy games, eat candies, and generally have fun.
Labor Day
When: May 1 About:A day to celebrate the Mexican workforce, Dia del Trabajo is a national holiday across the country. As with many other national days of rest, the local population will use this time to spend with their friends and family.
Fifth of May
When: May 5 About:Often confused with Mexican Independence Day by the rest of the world, Cinco de Mayo actually marks the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. While the Cinco de Mayo celebrations are big in the United States of America, the largest celebrations in Mexico are typically focused in Puebla, where the actual battle took place. Here you will find a great celebration, replete with parades, battle reenactments and more.
Miguel Hidalgo’s Birthday
When: May 8 About:May 8 marks the birthday of Miguel Hidalgo, one of the leaders of the Mexican revolution nicknamed The Father of Mexican Independence.
National Maritime Day
When: June 1 About:A celebration of the Mexican Navy and the civil maritime sectors, National Maritime Day is marked with the flying of flags at government buildings. It’s particularly popular, unsurprisingly, in the coastal regions, where you might find parades, fireworks, and dances.
Fathers’ Day
When: Third Sunday of June About:Fathers’ Day is a celebration of all the dads in Mexico. Typically, families will come together to share a meal while fathers might receive a gift or two from their children.
Anniversary of the Boy Heroes
When: September 13 About:Dia de los Niño’s Héroes pays tribute to six teenage cadets who died, bravely defending Mexico City’s Chapultepec Castle against the United States Army. It’s said that the last boy alive, Juan Escuti, jumped from the building draped in the Mexican flag rather than give it to the US troops.
Cry of Dolores
When: September 15 About: More the beginning of Independence Day than a holiday in its own right, El Grito honors the moment independence leader Miguel Hidalgo rang his church bell and called the Mexican people to rise against the Colonial occupation. Now, the Mexican president will lead El Grito de Dolores from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City. Sometimes, however, the shout may take place in the Dolores Hidalgo, where the original call to arms was made. If you head to other...
Independence Day
When: September 16 About: After El Grito the night before, Independence Day in Mexico is marked in a spectacular celebration of sound, light, and color. Expect street parties, fireworks, flowers, and lots of flags across the country. Read more: Independence Day in Mexico: The Tale Behind the Fight for Freedom
The Day of the Race
When: October 12 About:The Day of the Race, an alternative to Columbus Day, celebrates the indigenous people of Mexico. In some parts of Mexico, native communities come together in their traditional clothing to celebrate the day.
Day of the Dead
When: November 1 to 2 About:The main Day of the Dead celebrations take place on November 2. On this day, families pay tribute to their lost loved ones by visiting the cemeteries where they are buried and leaving them flowers, their favorite food, and tributes. Throughout the day, Mexican families will also come together to eat food and drink. You may also see special parades with floats and people in highly elaborate costumes. November 1 is known as Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Ang...
Revolution Day
When: November 20 About:Revolution Day honors the start of the Mexican Revolution. Cities will throw their own celebrations with parades and ceremonies taking place.
Mexican Navy Day
When: November 23 About:Not to be confused with National Maritime Day, Mexican Navy Day celebrates the country’s navy with a series of parades and ceremonies. Head to the coastal towns for the best celebrations.
Day of the Virgin Guadalupe
When: December 12 About:Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe marks the day when a man named Juan Diego met the Virgin Mary in Mexico City in 1531. It’s said that Mary instructed Juan Diego to arrange for a church to be built on Tepeyac Hill. Now, celebrations take place across Mexico to honor this miracle, while the followers of Catholicism will attend church.
Las Posadas
When: December 16 to 24 About: A Christmas tradition, posadas are a reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s quest to find a place to stay before the birth of Jesus. Traditional songs are sung, piñatas are struck, and food and drink are consumed. To truly experience a traditional Mexican Christmas, you can’t miss out on a posada. Itinerary:Book our Winter Holiday in Colonial Mexicovacation to experience a true Mexican Christmas
Christmas Eve
When: December 24 About:Christmas Eve in Mexico (called Nochebuena) will mark the end of the posadas, while children receive gifts from baby Jesus. It’s normal for families to come together and enjoy a traditional Mexican Christmas meal while Christians may also go to church for a Midnight Mass called Misa de Gallo.
Apr 29, 2024 · Mexican Independence Day is September 16. On this important holiday, all government offices, banks, and schools are closed to make way for the many parades, civic ceremonies, and events across the country.
Sep 16, 2022 · The formal date of Mexico's Independence Day is Sept. 16. But the commemorations begin the night before, to mark the early-morning call to arms that rang out from Dolores.
