February 2, 2019: Candlemas
The “Nativity scene,” or in Spanish Nacimiento, is a representation of Jesus Christ’s birth. They’re always set up prior to Christmas, traditionally on December 8, according to the celebration of the Conception; they stay up until February 2, the day of Candlemass.
February 5, 2019: Constitution Day
Mexican Constitution Day is celebrated in commemoration of Mexico’s Constitution. This Constitution, accepted in 1917 after the 1910 revolution, essentially allowed for better labor conditions as well as equality among Mexicans, meaning no discrimination. Celebrations often include good food, picnics, and lots of musical activities.
February 24, 2019: National Flag’s Day
On February 24, Mexicans celebrate National Flag Day. This holiday began in 1937 at the order of the then-President Lazaro Cardenas. On this day, the flag is flown and Mexicans recite the Pledge, with the Bellamy Salute.
March 4, 2019: Family’s Day
As the name suggests, Family’s Day in Mexico is a day to celebrate one’s family, and the nuclear family in general. In Mexico, family is one of the most important aspects of life, and is greatly treasured. On this day, parents and their children like to spend time together and enjoy each other’s company, either at home or going on outings.
March 19, 2019: Benito Juarez’ Birth
Benito Juarez’ Birthday is celebrated on each March, on the third Monday. It seeks to honor and commemorate Juarez and his accomplishments for the Mexican people, most notably pushing for greater equality and less church influence in the country.
March 26, 2019: Holy Week
“The Holy Week,” or Semana Santa, is a holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ. This is the time of the year when the holiday resorts are often the most crowded. The religious celebration begins on the Sunday prior to Easter, known as “Palm Sunday” or Domingo de Ramos. In some cities, starting from Good Friday, there are theatrical processions representing the crucifixion of Christ. People go to Mass, prepare special meals, and celebrate with their families. Finally, the last day of this celebration is called “Resurrection Sunday” or Domingo de Resurección, during which there are fireworks, concerts, special events, and Masses in many Mexican cities.
April 30, 2019: Children’s Day
April 30 marks Children’s Day in Mexico. On this day, the majority of schools abandon lessons, choosing instead to make it a day about the students; activities involving music and games are common. And, of course, parents oftentimes want to spend time with their children on this day.
May 1, 2019: May Day
May Day (also called Labor Day) is a public holiday, and is often celebrated with parades or time with family. As this is also a day about labor reforms, many people choose to rally on this issue as well.
May 5, 2019: Day of the Battle of Puebla
Also called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, this holiday seeks to commemorate the Battle of Puebla, which proved to be a motivational day for the Mexican people after the Mexicans defeated the French due to a miscalculation by French leader Lorencez. This day is often celebrated with battle reenactments.
May 10, 2019: Mother’s Day
This beautiful tradition is still alive today in Latin-American countries such as Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina. In Mexico, men will hire a “group of musicians” (grupo musical), bring them to the residence of a chosen person, and sing to her outside under her window or balcony accompanied by the group of musicians, as a way of expressing his love. It’s also common to serenade mothers as a way to wish them a “happy birthday,” in Spanish feliz cumpleaños, or to celebrate them on Mother’s Day on May 10. It’s also common for lovers to do this.
June 20, 2019: Corpus Christi
On Corpus Christi, Catholic churches eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. While not a public holiday in Mexico, it’s of great importance in this heavily Catholic country.
August 28, 2019: Grandparents’ Day
Grandparents’ Day in Mexico isn’t a very popular holiday, though it’s still seen as a day on which to honor one’s grandparents and the elderly in general. It’s common for nursing homes to organize special events on this day.
September 16, 2019: Independence Day
Independence Day in Mexico is celebrated on September 16 as a public holiday. This day is held in commemoration of when Miguel Hidalgo, a priest and leader of Mexico, cried for independence and thus sparked the beginnings of revolution. Mexicans celebrate this day with lots of food, music, and dancing; it’s also common to find flowers and other decorations in the colors of the Mexican flag at festivities.
November 2, 2019: Day of the Dead
“The Day of the Dead,” or Día de Muertos in Spanish, is a celebration that blends pre-Hispanic traditions and Christian beliefs. On the eve of the festival, many families erect altars decorated with marigolds and multicolored paper flags. These altars are also adorned with offerings, such as food and beverages, which add a variety of hues to the celebration. Similarly, the “pantheons,” or panteones, wear their best clothes, waiting for a visit from the “deceased” (difuntos), along with the thousands of others who travel to their hometowns to be with their “family,” or familia, and remember their loved ones.
November 20, 2019: Mexican Revolution Day
Mexican Revolution Day seeks to commemorate the decade-long struggle to remove President Porfirio Diaz, beginning in 1910. Francisco Madero was an important figure in this Revolution, who took part in preparing the revolt. On this day, Mexicans celebrate with lots of traditional Mexican food, as well as parades and other festivities. The Mexican Flag is also flown.
December 12, 2019: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
This day is celebrated by Catholics in commemoration of the day it’s believed that Juan Diego saw the Virgin Mary twice, and had a church built at her bidding in 1531. In order to convince a bishop to build this church, Juan Diego asked for—and received—a miracle, where roses grew in a spot previously occupied by cacti. This ultimately led many, many people to become Catholics.
December 16, 2019: Las Posadas
The traditional Posadas begin with a procession; half of the guests carry “lit candles,” or velas, and a tray on which they carry the images of the Sacred Family, Mary and Joseph, and the pilgrims. They walk around the “house” (casa), “garden” (jardín), or “block” (cuadro), until they arrive at the door, where they sing the first stanza of the litany requesting lodging. Behind the closed door, the rest of the guests, who play the role of innkeepers, refuse to let them enter; the dialogue continues in the same way until the group outside finally identifies themselves as Joseph and Maria. Then the door is opened and everybody goes into the house while singing. Once the “formal” part of the celebration is over, the real party begins. Snacks are served. A piñata gets broken, “hot punch,” (ponche) is handed out to the adults with a nip of alcohol, some traditional food is served among the guests, and the “dance” (baile) begins.
December 28, 2019: Holy Innocents’ Day
Holy Innocents’ Day is observed in commemoration of the little children who were murdered at the order of King Herod in the Bible as he tried to have Jesus killed. As well as visiting cemeteries of children who have passed, some Mexicans choose this day to play tricks on others as is done on April Fools’ Day elsewhere.
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