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The following holidays are national holidays of Mexico. These
are days that banks, schools, and federal offices may be closed for business.
These holidays usually don't affect restaurants, bars, tour companies etc. due
to the fact we are in a tourist area. In addition, Playa del Carmen, and The
Riviera Maya is such an international destination that there are many other
cultures and people who live or visit here who celebrate their own national
holidays. Although they are Mexican Nationals, the Mayans have their own
celebrations such as the Mayan Rain Festival, which runs from the 26th
of April to the 3rd of May. This festival honors the Rain God Chac, and his attendant
Chacmool, in welcoming the replenishing rains of springtime. December 13th is when the Swedes
celebrate Santa Lucia. Saint Lucia was a saint because of her
kindness and her love. She was an Italian Christian who lived in Sicily in the 4th
century, and some people believe she once visited Sweden. For the Dutch an
important holiday and birthday is Sinterklaas'. This Saint gives presents on the eve of his
birthday, on December 5. And of course there is the Canadian Thanksgiving in
October, and American Thanksgiving in November. So basically there is always a
celebration in, and around, Playa del Carmen as well as a very valid excuse to
party!
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January
- January 1: Año
Nuevo (New Year's Day) is an official Mexican holiday.
- January 6: Día
de los Santos Reyes is the day when Mexicans exchange Christmas presents in
accordance with the arrival of the three gift-bearing wise men to Jesus Christ.
This day culminates the Christmas time festivities.
- January 17:
Feast Day of de San Antonio de Abad is a religious holiday during which the
Catholic Church allows animals to enter the church for blessing.
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February
- February 2: Día
de la Candelaria or Candlemas is a religious holiday that is celebrated with
processions, dancing, bullfights in certain cities, and the blessing of the
seeds and candles. The festivities are best seen in: San
Juan de los Lagos, Jalapa;
Talpa de Allende, Jalisco; and Santa Maria del Tuxla, Oaxaca.
- February 5: Día
de la Constitución an official holiday that commemorates Mexico's
Constitution.
- February 23-28
(2006): Carnaval is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day
celebration of the libido before the Catholic lent. Beginning the weekend
before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated exuberantly with parades, floats and
dancing in the streets. Port towns such as Ensenada,
La Paz, Mazatlán and Veracruz are excellent places to watch
Carnaval festivities. Dates change slightly as follows: 2006: Feb 23-28; 2007:
Feb 15-20; 2008: Jan 31 - Feb 5; 2009: Feb 19-24; 2010: Feb 11-16.
- February 24:
Flag Day, This Mexican national holiday honors the Mexican flag.
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March
- March 19: St. Joseph's Day, Día de San José,
and a religious holiday best seen in Tamulin,
San Luis Potosi.
- March 21: The
Birthday of Benito Juárez, a famous Mexican president and national hero, this
is an official Mexican holiday.
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April
- Semana Santa:
Semana Santa is the holy week that ends the 40-day Lent period. This week
includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is Mexican custom to break
confetti-filled eggs over the heads of friends and family.
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May
- May 1: Primero
de Mayo is the Mexican national holiday that is equivalent to the U.S. Labor
Day.
- May 3: Holy
Cross Day Día de la Santa Cruz,
when construction workers decorate and mount crosses on unfinished buildings,
followed by fireworks and picnics at the construction site.
- May 5: Cinco de
Mayo is the Mexican national holiday that honors the Mexican victory over the
French army at Puebla de los Angeles in 1862.
- May 10: Mother's
Day, Due to the importance of the mother in Mexican culture, Mother's Day is an
especially significant holiday.
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June
- June 1: Navy Day
is an official Mexican holiday.
- June 24: Saint John the Baptist
Day is celebrated with religious festivities, fairs, and popular jokes connected
to getting dunked in water.
- June 29: Fiesta
of Saint Peter and Saint Paul notable
celebrations in Mexcaltitán, Nayarit and Zaachila,
Oaxaca.
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September
- September 1: Annual State
of the Union, Though this date is an
approximation, the President delivers the address in the autumn.
- September 16:
Mexican Independence Day celebrates the day that Miguel Hidalgo delivered El
Grito de Dolores, and announced the Mexican revolt against Spanish rule.
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October
- October 12: Día
de la Raza, This day celebrates Columbus'
arrival to the Americas,
and the historical origins of the Mexican race.
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November
- November
1&2: Día de los Muertos is an important Mexican holiday that merges
Pre-Columbian beliefs and modern Catholicism. Europe's All Saints' Day and the
Aztec worship of the dead contribute to these two days that honor Mexico's dead.
- November 20:
Mexican Revolution Day, This official Mexican holiday celebrates the Mexican
Revolution of 1910.
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December
- December 12: Día
de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, or the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is
celebrated with a feast honoring Mexico's patron saint.
- December 16: Las
Posadas celebrates Joseph and Mary's search for
shelter in Bethlehem
with candlelight processions that end at various nativity scenes. Las Posadas continues through
January 6.
- December 25: Navidad, Mexico
celebrates the Christmas holiday.
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