Festival de San Telmo

Most of Isla Holbox’s residents live by fishing, and the island has over 400 fishing boats and numerous fishing cooperatives. It’s no surprise, then, that San Telmo, the patron saint of fishermen, is celebrated here with fervor. The party lasts for two weeks in mid-April, with food stands, live performances, and special events, including a popular sportfishing tournament. The festival ends on April 19 when fishermen and their families participate in a huge boat procession followed by general revelry in the decked-out main square.

Festival de La Virgen de Fatima

In mid-May, Holbox celebrates the Virgin of Fatima, the community’s official patron saint. Held just a month after the San Telmo blowout, this festival is more austere, with religious processions and more folksy music and other performances. That said, it’s still a party.

Environmental Week

What started as an effort to educate children about the environment has turned into an annual island-wide event known as “Environmental Week.” The first week of July is dedicated to environmental education and action, still focused on schoolkids, but involving parents and even visitors. Tourists can join the students in one of the week’s biggest events: picking up trash from the beach.