Mexican Holiday Facts
There are many Mexican holidays that coincide with various dates of religious or military significance. Each calendar month contains at least one–if not several–designated Mexican holidays.
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Christmas In January
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Mexicans do their Christmas gift exchange on January 6 instead of the traditional date of December 25. In other parts of the world, this is known as Three Kings Day, and it celebrates the story of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to Baby Jesus in the manger.
Mexican Mardi Gras
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The Mexican people celebrate their own version of Mardi Gras in February to culminate the party season before the onset of Lent. Carnaval happens on the weekend before Lent and involves parades, floats, and pageantry.
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Ending Lent
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Just as there is a holiday for the beginning of Lent, there is also one to end it. Semana Santa is a holy week in Mexico that celebrates the end of Lent and includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Cinco de Mayo
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Because of the large celebrations for Cinco de Mayo, many non-Mexican people believe this to be the Mexican day of independence. Actually, Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) celebrates Mexico's victory over the French army in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla.
Day of The Dead
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The Day of The Dead, which is Mexico's equivalent to Halloween, happens on November 1. On that day, Mexicans celebrate the dead, tidy up cemeteries, and bring favorite treats (such as things the deceased enjoyed in life) to the final resting places of the dead.
Las Posadas
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The Chrismas season kicks off in Mexico with Las Posadas on December 16. Las Posadas recreates the story of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter at inns in the town and being turned away. Characters depicting Mary and Joseph, along with a parade procession, go from house to house asking if there is any room, where they are turned away. Las Posadas ends when shelter is finally given on January 6th, Three Kings Day.
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