Mexicans take holidays—of their country, their saints, and their families—seriously. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a two-week period when something or someone isn’t being celebrated. On major holidays—Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter—be prepared for crowds at the beaches and ruins. Be sure to book your hotel and buy your bus tickets well in advance; during holidays, the travel industry is saturated with Mexican travelers.

In addition to officially recognized holidays, villages and cities hold numerous festivals and celebrations: for patron saints, birthdays of officials, a good crop, a birth of a child. You name it, it’s probably been celebrated. Festivals typically take place in and around the central plaza of a town with dancing, live music, colorful decorations, and fireworks. Temporary food booths are set up around the plaza and typically sell tamales (both sweet and meat), buñuelos (sweet rolls), tacos, churros (fried dough dusted with sugar), carne asada (barbecued meat), and plenty of beer.

Regional Holidays and Celebrations

Jan. 1: New Year’s Day

Jan. 6: Día de los Reyes Magos: Three Kings Day — Christmas gifts exchanged

Feb. 2: Virgen de la Candelaria: Religious candlelight processions light up several towns

Feb. 5: Flag Day

Feb./Mar.: Carnaval: Seven-day celebration before Ash Wednesday; celebrated with fervor on Isla Cozumel

Mar. 21: Birthday of Benito Juárez: President of Mexico for five terms; born in 1806

Mar. 21: Vernal Equinox in Chichén Itzá: A phenomenon of light and shadow displays a serpent slithering down the steps of El Castillo

Apr. 19: Festival de San Telmo: Culmination of a two-week festival celebrating the patron saint of fishermen; celebrated on Isla Holbox

May 1: Labor Day

May 3: Day of the Holy Cross: Dance of the Pigs’ Head performed in Carrillo Puerto and El Cedral

May 5: Cinco de Mayo: Commemoration of the Mexican Army’s 1862 defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla

Sept. 16: Independence Day: Celebrated on the night of the 15th

Sept. 29: Fiesta de San Miguel Arcángel: Celebration of Isla Cozumel’s patron saint

Oct. 12: Día de la Raza: Indigenous Peoples Day; celebrated instead of Columbus Day

Nov. 1–2: All Saints Day and Day of the Dead: Church ceremonies and graveside celebrations held in honor of the deceased

Nov. 20: Día de la Revolución: Celebration of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910

Dec. 12: Virgen de Guadalupe: Religious celebration in honor of Mexico’s patron saint

Dec. 25: Christmas: Celebrated on the night of the 24th