Mexico is a country rich in culture and traditions, with a vast range of festivities that reflect its history, identity and diversity. From religious celebrations to national events, festivities in Mexico are occasions of great importance and joy for its inhabitants.
Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 1 and 2, is one of the most emblematic festivities in Mexico. This celebration has its roots in pre-Hispanic cultures, where the dead were worshiped. With the arrival of the Spanish, it merged with the Catholic traditions of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
The Day of the Dead originated in Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Purépechas, Nahuas and Totonacs. These cultures believed that death was a continuation of life and dedicated several days to honor their deceased loved ones. During pre-Hispanic times, the festival was celebrated in the ninth month of the Mexica solar calendar (approximately in August) and lasted an entire month.
With Spanish colonization, indigenous traditions mixed with Catholic celebrations, and the date was moved to November 1 and 2 to coincide with church festivities.
During the Day of the Dead, Mexican families build altars in their homes and in cemeteries, known as "ofrendas." These offerings are decorated with photographs of the deceased, candles, cempasuchil flowers (a bright orange flower), confetti, and favorite foods and drinks of the deceased. The altars also include sugar skulls, bread of the dead, and personal objects of the deceased.
The belief is that the souls of the deceased return to the world of the living during these days to enjoy earthly pleasures and be close to their loved ones. It is a colorful and joyful holiday, full of music, dance and parades, like the famous Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City.
Christmas
Christmas is another holiday of great importance in Mexico, celebrated on December 24 and 25. Although it is a Christian celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus, in Mexico it is mixed with indigenous and Spanish traditions, creating a unique celebration rich in customs.
The celebration of Christmas came to Mexico with the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. During colonial times, Catholic missionaries introduced posadas, a tradition that represents the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph in search of a place to stay before the birth of Jesus.
Christmas festivities in Mexico begin on December 16 with the posadas, which take place for nine consecutive nights until Christmas Eve. During the posadas, the neighbors recreate the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph, going from house to house singing Christmas carols and asking for a posada. In each home, people pray, sing, and share traditional food and drinks, such as punch and tamales.
Christmas Eve (December 24) is the highlight of the festivities, where families gather for a special dinner that includes traditional dishes such as cod, romeritos, turkey, and apple salad. At midnight, many families attend Midnight Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Three Kings' Day, January 6, is also part of the Christmas celebrations. Children receive gifts from the Three Wise Men, and families share the traditional Rosca de Reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread that contains plastic figurines representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds a figurine in their portion must organize a party on Candlemas Day (February 2), where they eat tamales and atole.
Holy Week and Easter
Holy Week and Easter are Christian celebrations that commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. These festivities are of great importance in Mexico, a country with a deep Catholic tradition.
Holy Week has its roots in Christian tradition and is one of the oldest religious celebrations in the world. In Mexico, it has been celebrated since the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the 16th century. During the colonial era, Holy Week became an important celebration, with processions and religious ceremonies that involved the entire community.
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. During this week, various religious activities take place, such as masses, processions and representations of the Passion of Christ.
One of the most notable events is the Procession of Silence, which takes place in several cities in Mexico, such as San Luis Potosí and Querétaro. In these processions, participants wear tunics and hoods, and walk in silence carrying religious images and lit candles.
In Iztapalapa, a neighborhood in Mexico City, one of the most famous representations of the Passion of Christ in the country takes place. This performance, involving hundreds of actors and attracting thousands of spectators, is a detailed recreation of Jesus' final days, from his arrest to his crucifixion and resurrection.
Easter, celebrated on Easter Sunday, marks the end of Holy Week. It is a day of joy and celebration, where families come together to attend mass and share a special meal.
Independence Day
Mexican Independence Day, celebrated on September 16, is one of the most important holidays in the country. It commemorates the beginning of the fight for Mexico's independence from Spanish rule in 1810.
In the early morning of September 16, 1810, priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla launched the famous "Cry of Dolores", a call to arms against Spanish rule. This event marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, which lasted eleven years and culminated with the country's independence in 1821.
Since then, September 16 has been celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. Each year, the president of Mexico reenacts the Grito de Dolores from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City, followed by an official ceremony and fireworks.
Independence Day celebrations begin on the night of September 15, known as "Noche del Grito." Squares and streets throughout the country are filled with people waving Mexican flags, singing the national anthem and shouting "Long live Mexico!" and "Long live independence!"
In Mexico City, thousands of people gather in the Zócalo to witness the Cry of Independence, which is followed by a fireworks and music show. The festivities continue on September 16 with military parades, concerts and cultural events throughout the country.
During this festival, it is common to see people dressed in typical Mexican costumes, such as charro suits and china poblana dresses. Traditional dishes such as pozole, chiles en nogada, tacos and tamales are also enjoyed.
Fifth of May
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Battle of Puebla, in which the Mexican army defeated French forces on May 5, 1862. Although it is not as big a national holiday as Independence Day, it is a celebration important in various parts of Mexico, especially in the state of Puebla, and in the Mexican community in the United States.
In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez suspended payment of foreign debt to several European countries, including France. In response, Napoleon III sent troops to Mexico to establish a monarchy favorable to French interests. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the French forces in the Battle of Puebla, despite being at a numerical and military disadvantage.
In the state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with parades, battle reenactments, concerts, and fairs. People dress in military outfits and costumes representing Mexican and French soldiers, and theatrical reenactments of the battle take place.
In other parts of Mexico, the celebration is more modest, with educational and cultural events that highlight the historical importance of the Battle of Puebla. However, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a major celebration of Mexican culture, with parades, festivals, concerts, and community events that highlight Mexican music, dance, and food.
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12, is one of the most important religious holidays in Mexico. It commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego on the Tepeyac hill in 1531.
According to tradition, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to the indigenous Juan Diego on December 9, 1531 and asked him to build a church in her honor on the Tepeyac hill. Juan Diego related the apparition to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, who did not believe him. The Virgin appeared again on December 12 and ordered Juan Diego to collect roses in his tilma (mantle) and take them to the bishop. When opening the tilma before the bishop, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared printed on the mantle. This miracle convinced the bishop and a church was built at the site of the apparition.
Every year, millions of pilgrims from all over Mexico and abroad travel to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City to pay tribute to the Virgin. The festivity begins on the night of December 11 with the serenade of "Las Mañanitas" to the Virgin, followed by masses, processions and traditional dances.
Pilgrims bring offerings of flowers, candles and objects of devotion, and many make the journey on foot as a sign of faith and devotion. In local communities, churches and chapels organize masses and festivities in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, including dance, music and traditional food.
Whether through decorated altars, solemn processions or colorful parades, Mexican festivities are a vibrant and moving expression of the country's national and spiritual identity.