Please read through the following websites/blogs/resources!

Fechas Fijas (Dates that land on a specific day)

• Día del Niño (April 30)

  • Children’s Day/Day of the Children

    • Celebration of the Day of the Boy and the Girl in México

    • Children’s day is not an official holiday in México. School is held, but it’s generally a huge party all day, designed to make kids feel special. Many parents buy their kids a gift, and schools hold big celebrations, complete with games, candy, music, performances, piñatas and much more. In most stores, if not all, all the toys go on sale.

• Día del Trabajo (May 1)

  • Labor day

    • Like in many countries around the world, México celebrates Labor Day on May 1^st, which is given as a day off to everyone in the country. This day, known globally as May Day or International Workers’ Day, is aimed at commemorating the historic struggles of the labor movement. In many Mexican cities, it is common to see celebratory marches organized by unions and political movements in honor of the day.

• La Batalla de Puebla (May 5^th)

  • The Battle of Puebla

    • Not an official Mexican Holiday, nor is it celebrated as one. It is more of a day of remembrance, (not like Memorial Day).

• Día de las Madres (May 10^th)

  • Mexican Mother’s Day

    • Mother’s Day in México

    • Mother’s Day: Learn about its origin in México

    • Mother’s Day is celebrated in México on May 10^th each year since 1922. While it is not an officially recognized holiday, Mother’s Day is very widely celebrated, and many offices do give people the day off. Similarly, schools usually mark the day by hosting concerts and festivals where children sing songs and perform dance routines for their mothers. Often, children will also make crafts in schools to give to their mothers on that day. It is also customary for families to gather together for meals on that day in order to celebrate their mothers and grandmothers. In México City, the holiday is so popular that rush-hour traffic can be expected at all hours of the day.

• Día del Padre (June, 3^rd Sunday)

  • Father’s Day

• Día de la Independencia (Sept. 15-16 [mainly 16])

  • Mexican Independence Day

    • Mexican Independence Day: Origin, Meaning and why it is Celebrated on September 16^th

    • México celebrates its independence from Spain on September 16^th. Celebrations begin on the eve of the holiday with the Grito, a ceremony commemorating the Shout of Dolores in 1810, which gave way to the War of Independence. The President will stand on the balcony of the National Palace and ring the bell of independence while chanting “Long Live México!” (¡Viva México!). This is followed by a fireworks display. The next day, a military parade takes place in downtown México City. During the holiday, people are out on the streets celebrating or enjoying traditional holiday foods such as Pozole and Chiles en Nogada.

• Día de las brujas (Oct. 31)

  • Halloween

    • Is Halloween a Public Holiday?

    • Halloween is a fairly new adoption to Mexican culture. Still, it is not an official holiday. However, USA influences have been observed by México and its people throughout the years. It tends to be celebrated closer to the US/Mexican borders mainly because of the ease of cultural interchange.

• Día de los Muertos (Nov. 1-2)

  • Day of the dead is not “Mexican Halloween”!!!

    • Day of the Dead

    • Day of the Dead, Mexican Holiday that Celebrates Death and Various Elements

    • Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a two-day holiday honoring relatives who have passed away. On the holiday, the dead are said to return to visit the living. Colorful shrines known as ofrendas, are placed in homes and public spaces to welcome the deceased with their favorite foods and precious objects, as well as photographs and other objects. Families visit graveyards and often share meals next to the graves of their loved ones, and large celebrations take place in graveyards and public squares. Popular foods include sugar skulls and Pan de Muertos, a sweet bread shaped like a pile of bones.

• Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Dec.12)

  • Day of the Virgen Mary

    • Search “Danzas de la Guadalupe” or “Matachines” on YouTube. (There are plenty of videos where they show traditional dances from different parts of México)

    • Day of the Virgen of Guadalupe: Origin, Meaning and why it is Celebrated on December 12

    • Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe: An Important Mexican Celebration

    • The Virgin of Guadalupe is México’s patron saint. Every year she is honored by pilgrimages to the Guadalupe Basilica and Mount Tepeyac, in which millions of people participate. The pilgrimages are done by way of processions and will often include singing and dancing. In the Basilica itself, a large Mass is conducted, drawing large crowds that include celebrities, politicians, diplomats, and others.

• Posadas (Dec.16-25)

  • literal translation for the word is “an Inn” but plural since its days of it. Or “lodging”.

    • https://www.journeymexico.com/blog/posadas-in-mexico-christmas-tradition

    • https://www.learnreligions.com/christmas-posadas-tradition-in-mexico-1588744

    • In México, Christmas celebrations begin early. From December 16^th until the 24^th, many Mexicans celebrate the Posadas, nightly celebrations symbolizing the journey to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. Posadas involve a candle-lit procession and the singing of carols outside the location of the celebration. Once inside, guests break a piñata filled with fruits and nuts and enjoy food and beverages. Plays depicting the Nativity are often performed.

• Noche Buena (Dec. 24)

  • Christmas Eve

    • Noche Buena Celebrations and Traditions Around the World

    • The larger Christmas celebration occurs on December 24th when families gather for a festive dinner. The meal will usually involve dishes like turkey, cod stew, Romeritos, and Tamales, accompanied by wine, cider, or special seasonal beers. Afterwards, it is common to head to Church for Midnight Mass.

• Navidad (December 25)

  • Christmas Day

    • When was Christmas celebrated for the first time in México and how?

    • How is Christmas celebrated in México?

    • Celebration for the birth of Jesus Christ.

• • • • Gift-giving from San Nicolas (Santa Claus) is close to nonexistent in México. The gift-giving tradition occurs on Día de Reyes (as mentioned above).