TOP FESTIVALS NOT TO MISS IN MEXICO

Festivals are a great way to see and experience the local culture of a city or a country. Mexico is well known for throwing the most notorious parties in the world.

Mexico has festivals throughout the year. They always find a reason to get together with family and friends to eat, drink, and be merry! These events have been attracting tourists from all over the world, the most known being Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Día de la Candelaria

Where: Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, but also all of Mexico
When: 2nd of February, right after the Three Kings’ Day

Día de la Candelaria is a religious festival where people bring figures of Christ as a child to the church and have them blessed. Families gather together to feast on sweets like Rosca De Reyes, a customary treat, tamales, and atole.

In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, it is celebrated as a major fiesta with bullfights and colorful parades.

Son Jarocho Music Festival

Where: Tlacotalpan, Veracruz
When: 8th of February

Son Jarocho Music Festival (“Veracruz Sound”) is a combination of religion and contemporary music. 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.

Veracruz Carnival

Where: Heroica Veracruz, Veracruz

When: the days leading up to Ash Wednesday

This is a 9-day event – the date varies depending on the dates of Easter and is Mexico’s biggest carnival. The origin of the Veracruz Carnival dates back to the colonial period when locals created new forms of music and dance inspired by European, African, and indigenous traditions.

Benito Juárez’s Birthday

Where: Guelatao, Oaxaca, but also all over Mexico
When: 21st of March

In honor of one of Mexico’s most beloved leaders, Benito Pablo Juárez García, a Zapotec, making him the first Mexican president of indigenous origin. He was the 26th president of Mexico who served from 1858 until he died in 1872.

Cinco de Mayo

Where: all over Mexico
When: May 5th

Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla. It is said to be more popular in the US (with a large Mexican-American population). The celebration usually lasts for a week with costume parades, musicals, and other cultural events.

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Where: Mexico City but also all over Mexico
When: 1st and 2nd of November

This festival started 3 000 years ago to honor the dead in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is officially celebrated on the 2nd of November. November 1 is dedicated to children, Día de los Inocentes or Day of the Innocents. Día de Muertos is the day after dedicating it to their loved ones who have passed away. Contrary to its name, Día de Muertos is a celebration of life. It is a 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. In Mexican culture, it is said that one is not dead as long as someone alive remembers them. That way, their memories will live on forever.

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Tell me in the comments section if you’ve been to Mexico and what was your experience. If you are planning to go on a solo travel to Mexico ask me for some useful tips that are not in this article.