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Calendar of Events and Festivities
in Mexico
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January
JAN 1: New Year's Day (Año Nuevo) Nationwide. Mexico
rings in the New Year with celebrations featuring
music, dance, food and fireworks. Streets are filled
with revelers, and friends and families congregate
for parties that often last till dawn. One tradition
calls for eating twelve grapes, one with each stroke
of the chiming bell at midnight, for luck during the
next 12 months.
City of Merida
Festival (Festival de la Ciudad de Merida) Merida,
Yucatan. In celebration
of the city's founding more than 461 years ago, this
ten-day festival features music, dance and exhibits
of local art, as well as the annual serenade to the
city, where the traditional "Mañanitas" (the "Happy
Birthday" song) is sung by its residents.
www.merida.gob.mx
Merida International Arts Festival Merida, Yucatan.
Sponsored by
CONACULTA (The National Board of Culture),
INBA (National
Institute of Fine Arts), the state of Yucatan
and the city of Merida, this arts festival will
feature live concerts, opera, dance, theater, poetry
readings, art and photography exhibitions as well as
films from all over the world. Many events will be
taking place at the Jose Marti Cultural Center,
Olimpo’s Cultural Center, Merida’s city theater, the
University of Yucatan and Jose Peon Contreras
Theater.
JAN 6: Three Kings' Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes)
Nationwide. The Feast of the Epiphany recalls the
arrival in Bethlehem of the three wise men (Reyes
Magos) bearing gifts for baby Jesus. This is the day
of traditional gift-giving for children in the
central and southern regions of Mexico. Rosca de
Reyes, a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with
candied fruits with a small doll baked inside, is
served on this day. Whoever is lucky enough to find
the figure in his slice of bread must host a party
on February 2, Candlemas Day, offering tamales
(stuffed cornflour cakes wrapped in corn husks or
banana leaves) and atole (a hot, sweet drink
thickened with corn flour) to the guests.
Leon State Fair Leon, Guanajuato. Leon City, located
just 45 minutes outside of Guanajuato, hosts this
annual fair which features concerts, dance, food and
much more. One of the highlights of this year?s fair
is an ancient Totonac ritual performed by dancers of
all ages called Los Voladores de Papantla (Flyers
from Papantla). These professional dancers launch
themselves from the top of a 100-foot pole and
slowly descend, flying through the air as the ropes
around the pole unwind.
www.ferialeon.com.mx
St. Sebastian
Fiesta (Fiesta de San Sebastian el Martir) Chiapa de
Corzo, Chiapas. This
fiesta is famous for its "parachicos" tour, which
features a dancing procession from the Santo Domingo
church to the San Antonio Hermit and ends in a
delectable food festival featuring traditional
dishes such as "pepita con tasajo" made of beef in a
creamy pumpkin seed sauce. On the night of the 21st,
a traditional nautical battle takes place on the
Grijalva River which concludes in a spectacle of
fireworks.
Ceremony of the Pocho Dance Tenosique, Tabasco.
Dating back to prehispanic times, the traditional "Pocho"
dance means it's almost Carnaval time in Tabasco.
The Pochü consists of a series of dances and other
ancient ceremonies performed by masked dancers, many
dressed as jaguars and tigers. The dance symbolizes
the purification of man through the battle between
good and evil. The Pocho performances begin on
January 20 at the main park in Tenosique and on all
subsequent Sundays prior to the commencement of
Carnival. On the last day, the dancers dance
backwards from the main square to the church where
the dance began.
Go to top.
February
FEB 2: Candlemas
Day (Dia de la Candelaria) Nationwide.
Celebrated with candlelit
processions and dancing in many towns throughout the
country, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas
celebration. On this national holiday, families and
friends gather together to enjoy tamales and atole
(a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour). The
musical events, parades and dances are especially
memorable in the port city of Tlacotalpan, Veracruz,
where a bull is rafted into town and released.
Carnival (Carnaval) Nationwide. Celebrations begin
five days before Ash Wednesday and are marked by
parades, parties and dancing in the streets. Some of
the most famous and festive celebrations are held in
the port towns of Veracruz, Campeche
www.webcampeche.com, Mazatlan
www.carnavalmazatlan.com.mx and Ensenada, while
carnaval in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas is one of the
most important indigenous celebrations in Mexico,
involving purification ceremonies and ethnic dances
that depict Mayan legends.
International
Contemporary Film Festival of Mexico City (Festival
Internacional del Cine Contemporaneo de la Ciudad de
Mexico) Mexico City.
Hosted by Cinemex, the Mexico City International
Contemporary Film Festival is a ten-day showcase
featuring 150 international pictures, among them
winners at the Venice, Berlin and Cannes film
festivals.
www.ficco-mex.com
Annual Half International Marathon Guadalajara,
Jalisco. The streets of Guadalajara will rumble with
the sounds of pounding feet and wheel chairs as this
traditional marathon enjoys its 19th consecutive
year. The 21-kilometer course will be run by
participants from all over the world.
www.maraton.com.mx
Seashells and Wine Festival-Ensenada,
Baja California. This exquisite festival will take
place at the Riviera Cultural Center, celebrating
the fine wine from the region.
For more
information, contact:
fiestasvendimia@hotmail.com
El "Cielo"
International Nature Festival (Festival
Internacional de la naturaleza "El Cielo") Ciudad
Mante, Tamaulipas. This
festival welcomes hundreds of visitors to interact
with nature in one Mexico's most famous biosphere
reserves.
Mexican Tennis Open Acapulco, Guerrero. The Mexican
Open is the most important tennis open in Latin
America and ranks fifteenth in the world. It is part
of the International Gold Series ATP and Tier III of
the WTA. Champions from this tournament will go to
the US Open in New York.
www.abiertomexicanodetenis.com
Annual Extreme Adventure Competition Husteca,
Hidalgo. This competition, which will take place in
the mountainous region of the state, has been
labeled by top international racers as one of the
most important adventure competitions around the
globe. Cash prizes are awarded at the competition.
This year’s route will cover many different
disciplines including kayaking, trekking, mountain
biking, canyoneering, swimming and caving. Teams
from countries well known for their adventure
enthusiasts like Australia, the U.S., Sweden, Spain
and Mexico will be represented.
www.eah2005.com
Tapachula
International Fair (Feria Internacional de
Tapachula) Tapachula, Chiapas.
Cattle trade show featuring
livestock, rides, bullfights, rodeos, cockfights and
sport races, with a cultural twist.
Go to top.
March
MAR 4: Night of the Witches (Noche de Brujas)
Catemaco, Veracruz. The small lakeside town of
Catemaco, referred to as the mecca of witch doctors,
attracts thousands of people seeking
non-conventional healing methods, and many swear by
the results. Taking place the first Friday night of
March every year, the annual gathering is a
spectacle of witches, healers, magicians and
wizards.
LALA International
Marathon Torreon Torreon, Coahuila.
Torreon will host thousands of
national and international runners in one of the
most important and traditional marathons in Mexico.
www.maratonlala.ecgnet.com.mx
Corona Rally Mexico A two-day race covering 600
miles of central Mexico's majestic plateaus and
mountains in 15 legs of intense off road driving.
Not to be missed is the wide array of festivities
that always accompany the rallies. Traditional
dance, music and food promise to put the Mexican
spirit into this event.
www.rallymexico.com
International Motorcycle Festival Saltillo, Coahuila.
Saltillo welcomes hundreds of riders to this unique
event, just a three hours' ride from Texas.
www.amoden.com
Holy Week (Semana Santa) Nationwide. Beginning with
Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday, the
week's religious celebrations include reenactments
of the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion.
The most renowned celebrations are held in Mexico
City, Patzcuaro, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, San
Cristobal de las Casas and Taxco.
Tajin Summit
(Cumbre Tajin) Tajin, Veracruz.
This festival evokes the spring
season (a time of renovation) and celebrates the
archeological sites and natural beauty of Veracruz.
The central theme of Tajin 2004 is the Ritual.
www.cumbretajin.com
International Film
Festival (Muestra Internacional de Cine)
Guadalajara, Jalisco.
This contemporary film festival is the oldest and
most important film festival in Mexico, offering the
best selection of Mexican and Ibero-American films
of the year. The festival features a variety of
films including feature-length films, shorts,
documentaries and children’s films.
www.mcmgdl.com/php1/secciones/7/index.php
MAR 21: Spring
Equinox (Equinoccio de la Primavera) Chichen-Itza,
Yucatan. Thousands of
people from around the world gather at this Mayan
ruin on the Yucatan peninsula to witness the
afternoon shadow of the snake-god Kukulcan slowly
"crawl down" the country's largest Mayan pyramid, El
Castillo.
Tourism in Yucatan.
International
Guitar Festival of Morelia (Festival Internacional
de Guitarra de Morelia) Morelia, Michoacan.
Michoacan, with its rich
musical traditions and home to one of the oldest
conservatories in Latin America, is the perfect host
for this popular guitar festival. The program
features recitals, contests, conferences, seminars
and expositions, with local as well as international
artists participating from Venezuela, Chile,
Germany, Spain, Argentina, Cuba and the Czech
Republic.
Tourism in Morelia.
Go to top.
April
Cuernavaca Flower
Fair (Feria de la Flor) Cuernavaca, Morelos.
This fair fills Cuernavaca's
streets with flower booths and gardening
competitions. At night, everyone gathers at the main
plaza for a laser light show. Pay a visit to the
famous Borda Gardens, once the residence of Emperor
Maximillian and his wife Carlota.
Tourism in Cuernavaca.
Xochimilco
Festival Xochimilco, Mexico City.
Held annually two weeks before
Easter, this four-day event dates back to
precolonial times when Mexicans honored the goddess
of flowers (Xochipilli) and the goddess of dance (Maculxochitl)
to ensure good harvests. Every year, a young woman
is crowned La Flor Mas Bella del Ejido (the most
beautiful flower of the land) who presides over
colorful parades on flower-decorated barges along
Xochimilco's famed canals.
Culture in Mexico City.
Xalapa Fair (Feria
de Xalapa) Xalapa, Veracruz.
Referred to as the Athens of Veracruz,
the capital city of Xalapa is bursting with culture.
The Xalapa fair dates back to the 18th century and
offers a variety of artworks, handicrafts and unique
products from the region at excellent prices. The
fair features activities for all ages.
Culture in Xalapa.
San Marcos Fair
(Feria de San Marcos) Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
State. A colorful
three-week festival featuring handicrafts,
bullfights, folk dancing, games, cockfights,
fireworks, cultural events and local cuisine. The
National Poetry Prize and a traditional competition
of typical dress also take place during this
international celebration.
Culture in Aguascalientes.
Cultural Festival of Zacatecas (Festival Cultural de
Zacatecas) Zacatecas, Zacatecas State. This festival
features displays of literature, dance, theater,
music and art in several venues throughout Zacatecas
State.
www.folklorico.com/festivales/zacatecas.html
Annual Mexico City
Festival (Festival del Centro Historico) Mexico City,
Mexico. Regarded as one
of Latin America’s most vibrant celebrations of art
and culture, this two-week festival features diverse
events including opera, concerts, theater, art
exhibits, dance productions and gourmet fare. More
than a million local and international spectators
will flock to Mexico City for the festival, and
proceeds go toward the rescue and restoration of the
art and architecture of Mexico City’s historic
downtown area.
www.fchmexico.com
Annual Newport Beach to Ensenada International Yacht
Race Ensenada, Baja California. Yachting competition
originating in Newport Beach, California to Ensenada
with more than 50 participating yachts, featuring a
festival and ceremony upon their arrival in Ensenada.
Nopales Cactus
Festival (Festival de Nopales) Tlaxcalancingo,
Puebla. This small town
on the outskirts of Puebla celebrates the nopal
(tender edible cactus) annually with a food fair
featuring cactus salads, stews and even ice cream.
Tabasco Fair
(Feria de Tabasco) Parque Villahermosa, Tabasco.
Famous for its Olmec
artifacts, Villahermosa Park hosts this colorful
state fair where 17 counties share their best in
cuisine, arts and crafts. Visitors can also enjoy
the colorful boat parade over the Grijalva River and
the outdoor theater in the evenings where plays are
presented by each county.
Rosarito-Ensenada
Fun Ride, Rosarito Beach, Baja California.
Head south of the border with
10,000 of your closest amigos for this fun ride
along the Pacific Coast and inland through rural
countryside from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, Mexico.
The event course is 50 miles of paved highway on the
old Free Road from Rosarito Beach south to the city
of Ensenada. Avid cyclists should finish in two
hours, with the average time to complete being 4 1/2
hours.
www.rosaritoensenada.com
Go to top.
May
Acapulco Boat Show Acapulco, Guerrero. Aimed at
fostering an interest in sea and water sports, as
well as promote Mexico’s nautical market, this
exposition features everything from mega yachts to
aquatic motorcycles. National and international
exhibitors include manufacturers, distributors and
marina service providers. Boat owners, prospective
buyers and sea lovers in general are welcome to
attend.
www.acapulcoboatshow.com
Canadian Tour-Michelin Morelia Classic in Morelia,
Michoacan. Considered one of the most important golf
events in the world, the Canadian Tour will make its
final stop in Morelia.
www.cmcgolf.com
Mexico Undewater
Cozumel, Quintana Roo.
Mexico Underwater is the first premier dive show in
Cozumel designed for the diving enthusiast. This
dive fair is held in a truly world-class environment
and in real scuba diving atmosphere. Mexico
Underwater features educational seminars, product
exhibits, travel opportunities and photo contests.
www.mexicounderwater.com
Alarconian
Theatrical Festival (Jornadas Alarconianas) Taxco,
Guerrero. The
picturesque silver mining town of Taxco will host 10
days of artistic and cultural events including
literature, music, theater, dance, opera and
artworks presented by local artists.
www.guerrero.gob.mx/dominios/turismo/taxco.htm
ROLEX/IGFA
Offshore Championship Los Cabos, Baja California
Sur. This annual
competition attracts more than 60 qualifying teams
from 33 countries representing 250 international
anglers and their guests to Cabo San Lucas and the
Los Cabos area for four days of intense fishing on
44 local charter boats. Each team is allowed to
weigh two fish of each species on each day of
fishing, and top prizes include engraved gold and
stainless Rolex watches.
www.igfatournaments.com/2004/2004_index.html
Vineyards Flowering Festival Ensenada, Baja
California. This harvest festival, which marks the
initiation of the production of wine grapes, takes
place at several wineries in the Guadalupe Valley.
fiestasvendimia@hotmail.com
International Wine
and Cheese Festival (Feria Internacional de Queso y
Vino) Tequisquiapan, Queretaro.
The enchanting town of Tequisquiapan
hosts this annual wine and cheese festival, bringing
together wine and cheese producers from all over the
country. Apart from wine and cheese tasting,
visitors will also enjoy regional cuisine, concerts,
handicrafts and other cultural events.
www.tequisquiapan.com.mx/index.php
Huatulco Sail
Fishing Tournament (Torneo Internacional de la Pesca
de Pez Vela) Huatulco, Oaxaca.
Huatulco, an excellent site for
sport-fishing and surfing, hosts this popular annual
tournament.
Cancun Jazz
Festival 2005-Cancun, Quintana Roo.
This Mexican Caribbean city showcases
some of the world’s best jazz musicians. The
three-day festival boasts all types of Jazz, from
traditional to contemporary, Afro-Latino to Flamenco
and Cuban Jazz. Jazz lovers will descend upon Cancun
to savor world-class Jazz in a tropical, beachfront
setting and surrounded by one-of-a-kind Mexican and
Mayan culture, as well as food and attractions not
found at any other Caribbean destination. Visit
www.cancunjazz.com
Go to top.
June
Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 Race Ensenada, Baja
California. This race will welcome more than 280
participants from 15 countries. More than 250
vehicles competing in 24 professional and five
sportsman categories for cars, trucks, motorcycles
and ATVs will participate in this race which covers
450 miles of mountains, valleys, deserts, forest and
gorgeous Pacific coastline. The race will finish in
downtown Ensenada inside the Deportivo Antonio
Palacios Baseball Stadium on 9th Street and
Guadalupe Avenue.
www.enjoyensenada.com.
International
Marimba Festival (V Festival Internacional de
Marimbistas) Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas.
Chiapas comes alive with the
rich sounds of marimba music featuring regional and
international musicians.
Corpus Christi Fair (Feria de Corpus Christi)
Papantla, Veracruz. This annual festival features
prehispanic ceremonies said to promote fertility and
communicate with the heavens. Four voladores, or
flyers, perform spectacular feats, launching
themselves from the top of a pole (often reaching as
high as 100 feet) and slowly descending as the ropes
around the pole unwind. During this ancient Nahuatl
and Totonac Indian ritual, each volador circles the
pole 13 times before reaching the ground, for a
total of 52 turns.
San Pedro Fair Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. The traditions
and pastimes of Mexico’s artistic city of
Tlaquepaque, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, will
be enjoyed by thousands at this annual event, taking
place at the Unidad Valentín Gomez Farias Children
will take part in a variety of games and activities,
including soccer, wrestling, and even a youth
triathlon, while adults will enjoy the more
traditional elements of art and mariachi, while
savoring the tastes of the authentic Mexican
cuisine. The most exciting part of the fair is the "Tlaquepaqueada,"
a smaller-scale of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.
Contact
fiestastlaquepaque@hotmail.com
Annual Voladero
International Film and Video Festival (Festival
Internacional de Cine y Video "Voladero") Monterrey,
Nuevo Leon. Last year,
more than 400 films competed in this festival which
is quickly becoming a must attend for filmmakers and
film lovers the world over.
www.voladero.com
Go to top.
July
Nueva Paquime
Festival Casas Grandes, Chihuahua.
This festival, taking place in Casas
Grandes, just outside the renowned Paquime
archaeological site (declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1998), is a celebration of the
heritage and cultures of northern Mexico, featuring,
parades, art contests, concerts, poetry readings,
children’s workshops and much more. Celebrated guest
artist Juan Quezada, whose renowned pottery has been
sold to collectors all around the world, will be
present at the festival.
Tourism in Chihuahua.
International
Guitar Festival of San Miguel de Allende San Miguel
de Allende, Guanajuato.
The breathtaking colonial city of San
Miguel de Allende will host this glorious guitar
festival, featuring performances throughout the
city, master classes by internationally renowned
artists, lectures, exhibitions of instruments, as
well as a food and arts festival spotlighting
traditional food and art from the region.
www.smaguitarfest.org
Villista Cavalcade Chihuahua, Chihuahua. Chihuahua
will host its annual weeklong cavalcade from the
city of Chihuahua to Hidalgo del Parral, covering
more than 136 miles of scenic Chihuahuan
countryside. While the first cavalcade took place in
1996 with less than five hundred riders, more than
1,300 riders are expected to participate this year.
For more information, visit
http://www.chihuahua.gob.mx
Festival of Adventure Tourism (Festival de Turismo
de Aventura) Chihuahua, Chihuahua State. Athletes
compete for cash prizes at this festival featuring
everything from marathons and triathlons to mountain
biking and sand-boarding. If the competition doesn’t
take your breath away, the lush scenery will. Visit
www.chihuahua.gob.mx/turismoweb
Guelaguetza Oaxaca, Oaxaca State. Dating back to
prehispanic times when the festival was offered to
the gods in hopes of a bountiful harvest, this event
brings together delegations from the region's seven
indigenous cultures. Traditional songs and dances
are performed by each group, and objects and
handicrafts typical to each region are also on
display.
Villista Cavalgade
(Cabalgata Villista) Chihuahua, Chihuahua State.
More than a thousand
people take part in this horseback riding adventure
which covers 136 miles from Chihuahua City to
Hidalgo del Parral. Entire families are welcome to
participate. Tel. (011-52-627) 523-4070,
www.chihuahua.gob.mx
International Film Festival, Short Expression (El
Festival de Expresion en Corto) Guanajuato,
Guanajuato State. An annual film festival showcasing
short films and documentaries and awarding the
creators of outstanding films with the materials and
equipment needed to continue their art. Every year,
a country is spotlighted at the festival as the
special guest of honor, with a variety of activities
that provide a deeper look into the film culture,
history and contemporary trends of the guest
country.
http://www.expresionencorto.com/ingles/index.html
National Sarape Fair (Feria Nacional de Sarape)
Santa Ana Chiautempan, Tlaxcala. The renowned
rectangular "sarape" shawls, one of Mexico’s
traditional textile handicrafts, are spotlighted
every year at this annual fair.
Go to top.
August
Huamantla Fair
(Feria de Huamantla) Huamantla, Tlaxcala.
At this event, dedicated to
the Virgin Mary, churches and miles of city streets
are draped in a beautiful tapestry of colorful
flower petals and decorative sawdust. A running of
the bulls follows the solemn event.
International
Chamber Music Festival (Festival Internacional de
Musica de Camara) San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
A classical music
festival to bid farewell to the summer, featuring
award-winning international ensembles, guest
musicians and local artists performing in the city’s
beautiful open gardens and the grand gothic
cathedral.
Annual International "ROSETE ARANDA" Puppet Festival
Huamantla, Tlaxcala.A time-honored tradition in
Mexico, more than 15 cities in the state of Tlaxcala
will be hosting this festival. For two weeks, a
multitude of puppeteers and puppets of all colors,
shapes and sizes will invade Mexico's smallest
state. Performers come from Spain, Colombia, Cuba,
Hungary and numerous other states in Mexico.
International
Amber Expo (Expo Ambar Internacional) San Cristobal
de las Casas, Chiapas.
Mexican amber, with its magical colors, brilliant
finishes and age-old history, is considered by many
the finest in the world. With the goal of developing
and integrating the amber artist community of
Chiapas and promoting international recognition,
this expo highlights the hand-crafted jewels of the
region. Forty-eight different tones can be found in
Chiapas amber, which is exhibited in a variety of
forms at the event from sculptures to articles of
jewelry.
www.expo-ambar.com.mx
Mushroom Fair of San Juanito (V Feria del Hongo) San
Juanito, Chihuahua. A mushroom is a mushroom is a
mushroom? Learn more about the various types of
mushrooms and their diverse contributions to the
culinary world through workshops, demonstrations and
taste-testing. This event also features cooking
contests and cultural events.
www.chihuahua.gob.mx/turismoweb
Mani Festival (Fiesta de Mani) Mani, Yucatan.Mani is
known in Mexico as the site of the infamous "Auto de
Fe," where bishop Fray Diego de Landa burned
valuable Mayan codices and manuscripts in 1562. Mani
is one of the most representative Mayan towns alive.
This festival features local dancers, bands,
traditional cuisine, live concerts, mechanical
attractions, art exhibitions and more. The festival
takes place at the center plaza and offers visitors
from all over the world a unique cultural
experience.
www.yucatan.gob.mx
Paracho Guitar
Festival, Paracho, Michoacan.
Come and join the festival where the
most famous guitars are made in Mexico.
Morismas of Bracho
(Las Morismas de Bracho) Zacatecas, Zacatecas State.
A reenactment of the
battles between Moors and Christians, this event
involves thousands of actors and has been held
annually for more than 300 years.
Chile in Walnut Sauce Festival (Festival del Chile
en Nogada) Puebla, Puebla State. Mexico’s national
dish is commemorated every year with several
activities, including culinary conferences and
samplings, as well as a competition for the largest
chile, judged by the Guiness Book of World Records.
Inspired by the Mexican flag, the dish contains a
poblano chile (green), walnut sauce (white), with
pomegranate seeds (red) sprinkled over. A must for
lovers of Mexican cuisine!
Go to top.
September
Poetry Festival
San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi. International
poetry festival featuring the works of Juan Gelman,
Alvaro Mutis, Raul Zurita, Agusto de Campos, Decio
Pignatari, David Huerta y Tomas Segovia.
This festival will take place
in the four ares of the state and features lectures,
readings and conferences by world-renowned poets.
International
Mariachi and Charro Festival (12° Encuentro
Internacional del Mariachi y la Charreria)
Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Annual celebration of mariachi music in the mariachi
capital of the world, gathering musicians from
Mexico and around the world.
www.mariachi-jalisco.com.mx
Tepozteco Challenge (Reto al Tepozteco) Tepoztlan,
Morelos. Performance depicting King Tepoztecatl?s
conversion to the Catholic religion. Procession
leads to the Tepozteco Pyramid, where offerings are
made. This event includes a food festival, chinelo
dances dating back to prehispanic times, and
fireworks.
SEP 16: Mexican
Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia Mexicana)
Nationwide. Mexico
celebrates its declaration of independence from
Spain in 1810. The night of September 15, marks "El
Grito," a dramatic reenactment of revolutionary
Father Hidalgo's call for his fellow Mexicans to
join the uprising, which takes place at city halls
across the country. On September 16, military
parades are held in almost every Mexican city.
Running of the Bulls at San Miguel (Sanmiguelada)
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Also known as the
Pamplonada because it is Mexico’s imitation of
Spain’s "running of the bulls," the Sanmiguelada is
an annual festival usually taking place the third
Saturday of September in honor of Saint Michael the
Archangel. The event involves dances, concerts,
fireworks and bulls running through town. Daring
participants meet at high noon.
www.sanmiguelguide.com/tour-pamplonada.htm
SEP 19-21: Fall Equinox at Kulkulcan (Equinoccio de
Kulkulcan) Chichen Itza, Yucatan. Thousands of
people from around the world gather at this Mayan
ruin on the Yucatan Peninsula to witness the
afternoon shadow of the snake-god Kukulcan slowly
"crawl down" the country's largest Mayan pyramid, El
Castillo.
Mexico City
International Marathon (Maraton Internacional de la
Ciudad de Mexico) Mexico City.
Mexico City’s altitude makes this
popular 26-mile marathon one of the most challenging
in the world. More than 15,000 runners of all ages
and from all walks of life compete in five
categories. The marathon starts and ends at Mexico
City’s historic central square (the zocalo).
www.maraton.df.gob.mx
National Antique
Festival (Muestra Nacional de Antigüedades)
Saltillo, Coahuila. Now
in its tenth year, this festival gathers together
top antique dealers from all over Mexico and
features exhibitions of international treasures,
accompanied by a musical and educational program.
www.muestraantiguedades.com
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October
October Festivals
(Fiestas de Octubre) Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Guadalajara sparkles with this
month-long event involving concerts, dances,
cultural exhibits and food and attracting visitors
and performers from all over the world.
Tamaulipas International Festival (Festival
Internacional Tamaulipas) Tamaulipas. Held in
October every year, this festival features a variety
of cultural and artistic events including exhibits,
plays, concerts and cinema, turning the entire state
into a hotbed of culture.
Annual Sinaloa Arts Festival Mazatlan, Sinaloa. The
Pacific coast state of Sinaloa will feature an
elaborate celebration of art, dance and music,
showcasing local, national and international artists
and more than 450 performers hailing from countries
as far as South Africa, Yugoslavia, Argentina and
Spain.
Morelia Film
Festival (Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia)
Morelia, Michoacan. Now
in its tenth year, this festival is one of the most
important, this film festival gathers together an
international group of filmmakers, critics and
actors in order to promote the new talents of
Mexican cinema and provide a forum for international
exhibition.
National Mole Fair
(Feria Nacional del Mole) San Pedro Actopan, Estado
de Mexico. Just south
of Mexico City, thousands of varieties of mole will
be prepared for sampling and competition. This spicy
sauce is a Mexican staple and made of unsweetened
chocolate, peppers and spices, often served with
meat or poultry. Eat your fill and take some home;
mole paste stays fresh for several months in the
freezer.
International Festival of Contemporary Dance
(Festival Internacional de Danza Contemporanea) San
Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi State. Festival
celebrating contemporary dance and featuring
national and international artists from countries
such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, United
States, Japan and Venezuela.
www.visitasanluispotosi.com/ferias.htm
International Cervantine Festival (Festival
Cervantino Internacional) Guanajuato, Guanajauato
State. One of the most important cultural events in
Mexico, this annual festival fills the streets of
this colonial town with performers and visitors from
all over the world.
www.festivalcervantino.gob.mx
Fly All-Release Rooster Fish Tournament
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. Fly fish take center
stage during this first international fishing
tournament that focuses on the preservation of the
species.
International
Nacho Fest (Festival Internacional del Nacho)
Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
Every year this event is organized to
promote the notorious nacho, one of the region’s
culinary contributions to Mexican cuisine.
www.festivaldelnacho.com.mx
Tlaxcala Fair
(Feria de Tlaxcala) Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala State.
In honor of all Saints and the
dead, the annual festivities offer all sorts of
cultural, sporting and culinary events, including
bullfighting, rodeos, cockfighting and escaramuzas,
a women's choreographed horse-riding show. In
addition, Ms. Feria de Tlaxcala is crowned every
year, highlighting the beautiful people from the
region.
www.feriatlaxcala.com
Annual Culinary
Heritage and Cultural Tourism Festival (Congreso
sobre Patrimonio Gastronomico y Turismo Cultural)
Puebla, Puebla State.
The colonial city of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, celebrates Mexico’s rich culinary heritage as
well as promotes competition among regional cuisines
and the nation’s top chefs, making it a favorite
among Mexican and international food experts alike
as well as people just looking for good food and a
good time. The festival features food workshops,
delectable samplings, cultural events and an
academic program.
International
Cervantine Barroque Festival (Festival Internacional
Barroco Cervantino) San Cristobal de las Casas,
Chiapas. An extension
of Guanajuato?s popular Cerventine Festival, this
event spans nine days and features more than 150
cultural and artistic presentations, gathering
together more than 900 regional, national and
international artists. Performances take place at
the Casa de Cultura, the Hermanos Dominguez Theater,
Cathedral Square and the Daniel Zebadua Theater.
Festival of Skulls
(Festival de las Calaveras) Aguascalientes,
Aguascalientes State.
This macabre festival features a variety of morbid
art exhibits, performing arts and a parade of
skeletons, with contests for the most creative
costumes and artwork. Skulls of different sizes and
materials are on display as well as games and stands
with traditional food and seasonal fruits.
www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/english/
November Festivals
(Fiestas de Noviembre) Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.
The events during this
month include the annual Pipeline of Mexico,
Zicatela Beach’s International Surfing Tournament,
the International Sailfish Tournament and the
Coastal Dance Festival.
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November
Mazatlan Cultural Festival (Festival Cultural de
Mazatlan) Mazatlan, Sinaloa. A cultural celebration
featuring theater, dance, film, literature and
concerts throughout the month in the historic
downtown area (Centro Historico) with many of the
events taking place in the open air as well as in
the Angela Peralta Theater.
NOV 1-2: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
Nationwide. The most colorful annual festival on the
Mexican calendar, commemorating departed loved ones.
During this festival, the dead have divine
permission to visit friends and relatives on earth.
The living welcome the souls of the departed with
offerings incorporating their favorite foods and
beverages, as well as marigolds and candles. The Day
of the Dead celebration is particularly memorable in
the states of Oaxaca and Michoacan, as well as in
Mexico City.
Mexican Caribbean
Food Festival (Festival Gastronomico del Caribe
Mexicano) Cancun, Quintana Roo.
This festival features a broad range
of culinary creations from 30 of the finest
restaurants in Cancun and a number of others from
the Mayan Riviera and Isla Mujeres. Additionally,
numerous specialty dishes in both national and
international styles will be unveiled during the
festival, offering a wide variety of tastes to
please every palate.
http://festivalgastronomico.qroo.gob.mx
Cultural Week in
Zihuatanejo Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
Zihuatanejo hosts a series of
cultural events that promote the region?s cultural
heritage, including a book fair, ballet folklorico,
story-telling and a handicrafts exposition.
Puerto Vallarta
Film Festival of the Americas Puerto Vallarta,
Jalisco. Featuring a
wide range of North American independent and Latin
American productions, this elaborate showcase of
full-length films and documentaries includes shorts,
documentaries and features. Extravagant Galas, Art
Expositions, Food Events and Jazz Concerts are some
of the highlights scheduled to take place throughout
the festival, as well as a vast array of outdoor
activities available in and around the area.
http://www.vallartafilmfestival.com
Tag and Release Fishing Tournament -
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. International
tournament that permits the observation and
preservation of a variety of species in the Pacific.
International Half
Maraton (Medio Maraton Internacional Vallarta)
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
The only one of its kind, this
challenging race actually begins in Jalisco and ends
in its neighboring state, Nayarit. Beginning in the
popular vacation spot Puerto Vallarta, and ending in
Nuevo Vallarta, this event is sponsored by the two
participating states? Secretary of Tourism in an
effort to promote both destinations on a national
and worldwide level. With five different categies,
this half marathon offers great cash prizes to
winners.
Annual Classic Fishing Tourament (Torneo Anual
Clasico de Pesca 2004)-Mazatlan, Sinaloa. The El Cid
Marina will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the
10th annual sport fishing tournament. Categories
include marlin, sailfish, swordfish, dorado, mahi
and tuna. This is a catch and release tournament.
www.elcid.com
Festival del
Gourmet Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
One of Mexico's premier culinary arts
events, attended by more than 20,000 people
annually. Local chefs at participating restaurants
and more than 20 guest chefs from around the world
serve up some 500 gourmet foods, cheese, tequilas
and liquors. The event also involves cooking
classes, wine-tasting, beer samplings and other
activities.
www.festivalgourmet.com
Puerto Vallarta
Golf Tournament (Copa de Golf Vallarta) Puerto
Vallarta, Jalisco.
Taking place at the prestigous Nicklaus Vista
Vallarta and the Mayan Palace Golf Courses, this
annual tournament brings in more than 120 golf
enthusiasts, both amateurs and professionals alike,
to compete for cash prizes.
Annual Harley Davidson Rocky Point Rally (Rally de
Motociclismo) Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. Annual Hog
get-together featuring scenic rides, charity events,
beach parties, live music and plenty of engines
revving up.
www.rockypointrally.com
Annual Half Iron Man Mexico Baja.
Considered one of the toughest triathlons in the
world, the Half Iron Man course consists of a
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile
run. Athletes from all over the world will compete
for cash prizes.
http://www.ironmanbaja.com/eng_intro.html
Annual Yucatan
Bird Festival (Festival de las Aves Toh) Merida,
Yucatan. Bird-watching
tours/sessions, workshops and exhibits are the
highlights of this festival designed to illustrate
the special role birds play in our environment and
in the Yucatan territory.
www.yucatanbirds.org.mx
Neighborhood Festival (Festival del Barrio)
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. This ten-day festival
features more than 100 events where local and
national artists perform in dance, music and
theatrical productions. For more information, visit
www.festivalbarrioantiguo.org.mx
International Musical Festival of Morelia (Festival
Internacional de Musica de Morelia Miguel Bernal
Jimenez) Morelia, Michoacan. Created in 1989 and
named after Mexico’s famous composer Miguel Bernal
Jimenez, this annual festival features performances
by musicians from all over the world and takes place
at beautiful settings throughout Morelia, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
http://www.festivalmorelia.com
Cumbia, Salsa and
Merengue International Festival (Festival
Internacional de Cumbia, Salsa y Merengue)
Manzanillo, Colima.
National and international artists participate in
this musical festival, which takes place in the
beautiful and scenic port city of Manzanillo.
Morelia Annual Golf and Spa Expo (Tianguis Golf &
Spa Mexico) Morelia, Michoacan. This annual event is
most important Golf and Spa show in Mexico, bringing
together the best that Mexico has to offer in this
increasingly important segments.
www.tianguisgolfmexico.com.mx
International Puerto Vallarta Sailfish and Marlin
Tournament Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Sailfish,
marlin, tuna and dorado anglers will compete for
cash prizes during this annual tournament, organized
to promote Puerto Vallarta as a culturally rich
tourist destination both nationally and
internationally. Prizes include new cars,
fully-equipped Nava boats, cash prizes, and
all-expense paid trips to destinations in Mexico and
abroad.
NOV 20: Mexican
Revolution Day (Dia de la Revolucion Mexicana)
Nationwide. This day
marks the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of
1910, with parades and celebrations occurring
throughout the country.
Annual Jazz
Festival San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
One of the most cultural and
artistic towns in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende in
the state of Guanajuato will be hosting this music
festival. The Annual Jazz Festival is an opportunity
to show some of the history behind Jazz as well as
the history and culture that San Miguel de Allende
offers to its visitors.
http://www.internetsanmiguel.com/fiestas.html
Concert of Bells
(Concierto de las Campanas) Cholula, Puebla.
More than 100 bells from the
different churches in Cholula participate in this
annual celestial concert of bells. Townspeople sit
atop roofs with lit candles to enjoy the harmonious
spectacle. The town of Cholula boasts the greatest
quantity of churches and alters in Mexico with a
total of 365 in the district, one for each day of
the year.
Grand Pacific Marathon (Gran Maraton Pacifico)
Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Runners from the world over
participate in this challenging race that takes
place at the Pearl of the Pacific and featuring
miles and miles of beautiful scenery.
International Book
Fair in Guadalajara (Feria Internacional del Libro,
or FIL) Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Created nearly two decades ago by the
University of Guadalajara, the FIL is an eclectic
celebration of literature, art and culture,
representing the second largest book fair in the
world and, by far, the largest and most diverse
international offering of publications in the
Spanish language. Throughout the nine-day event,
writers, scholars, artists, and literary
connoisseurs from all walks of life fill the halls
of the Guadalajara Expo Center and submerge
themselves in the best that the literary world has
to offer.
www.fil.com.mx
National Tequila
Fair (Feria Nacional del Tequila) Tequila, Jalisco.
Held annually in
celebration of Mexico's beloved spirit, the tequila
fair features an exposition of the primary tequila
makers throughout the country, with demonstrations
on how this famous spirit is made. The fair also
features charreadas (Mexican rodeo events),
cockfights, mariachi serenades and fireworks.
Monarch Butterfly
Sanctuaries (Santuarios de la Mariposa Monarca)
Several areas in Michoacan State.
Every year, millions of Monarch
butterflies migrate from Canada and the U.S. to the
Oyamel forests near Angangueo, Michoacan in the
fall, hibernating for winter and mating in the
spring. Two sanctuaries are open to the public.
Mazatlan International Golf Tournament-Mazatlan,
Sinaloa. The Golf Committee of the El Code Golf &
Country Club hosts this annual amateur golf
tournament with categories for adults, seniors,
women, etc. Prizes will include cars, cash and much
more.
National Silver
Fair (Feria Nacional de Plata)?Taxco, Guerrero.
Taxco is the region of
the country known as Mexico’s "silver heartland," as
it is the source of much of the lucrative silver
mining and export business. Every year Mexico’s best
silversmiths compete against artists from around the
world in this lavish festival including concerts,
dances, fireworks and a seemingly endless supply of
unique items for sale.
Balsas River
Nautical Marathon (Maraton Nautico del Rio Balsas)
Bay of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
Considered the most important jet
boat marathon in Mexico and one of the most
important events of its kind in the Americas, the
34th Balsas River Nautical Marathon covers almost
500 miles in six consecutive days and welcomes
international participants from all over the world.
International
Sailfish Tournament (Torneo Internacional de Pesca
de Pez Vela) Manzanillo, Colima.
Since 1957, Manzanillo has been
referred to as the sailfishing capital of the world
due to the large number of sailfish caught in its
waters. Manzanillo’s Sport Fishing Club will be
sponsoring this event.
http://www.imanzanillo.com/asp/eng/seccion.asp?eCodSeccion=37
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December
Annual Air Balloon Festival Leon, Guanajuato.
Largest festival in Latin America with more than 60
balloons and pilots from all over the globe
participating.
www.festivaldelglobo.com.mx
Catch and Release Sailfish Challenge
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. Sailfish take center
stage during this first international fishing
tournament that focuses on the preservation of the
species.
Annual
International Tequila Festival Puerto Vallarta,
Jalisco. Count on the
streets of Puerto Vallarta to be full of "spirit"
this winter as the Annual International Tequila
Festival kicks off in December. Tequila aficionados
from all walks of life are expected to attend this
week-long event, but don’t let the name "Tequila
Festival" fool you. This exposition of prestigious
beverages will extend to such spirits as champagne,
cognac, sake and bourbon, among others. Not only
will attendees be able to savor the tastes of these
fine drinks, but they’ll also enjoy a variety of
musical, theatrical and cultural performances hosted
by this Pacific coast city.
www.visitpuertovallarta.net
World WBS Billfish Tournament - Mazatlan, Sinaloa.
Bluewater anglers will congregate in Mazatlan for
this annual world billfish tournament. Prizes
include Mercedes automobiles, a magnificent Marlin
bronze trophy designed by the artist Geoffrey Smith
and a gold championship ring.
DEC 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Fiesta de la
Virgin de Guadalupe) Nationwide. The most important
holiday in Mexico in which millions of pilgrims
converge on the Mexico City Basilica of the
country’s patron virgin to pay tribute. The square
in front of the Basilica is a stage for singing,
dancing and celebration.
Festival of San
Cristobal de las Casas San Cristobal de las Casas,
Chiapas. This two-week
festival in Chiapas includes a procession by the
Tzotzil and Tzetzal Indians, marimba music and a
parade of horses.
DEC 16-24: Posadas Navideñas Nationwide. Processions
recreating Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem,
in which people holding candles go door to door to
seek shelter. Festivities include piñatas, Christmas
caroling and special foods and sweets.
Posada and Piñata
Fair (Feria de la Posada y Piñata) Alcoman, Estado
de Mexico. An annual
celebration near Mexico City of the Posadas
procession and this children’s party staple. Among
the piñatas on display are those made from clay,
traditional models with seven points that symbolize
the seven deadly sins, and those made from cardboard
with popular children's designs. Workshops in
piñata-making are also offered.
Festival of the Radishes (Festival de los Rabanos)
Oaxaca, Oaxaca State. Local artisans and sculptors
set up stalls around the main square to display
their elaborate pieces of art made entirely from
radishes! The local crop is used for creating
nativity scenes and famous Mexican figures. Balloons
and birds crafted from local flowers add even more
color.
Las Calendas
Oaxaca, Oaxaca State.
The districts of Oaxaca City prepare floats and
costumes for processions held throughout the city.
The parades feature marmotas (translucent paper
spheres lit from within and carried aloft on poles)
and giant paper mache people whose arms flop around
as the person hidden inside dances.
Liberating of the Turtles Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo,
Guerrero. Most hotels in the region participate in a
special marine animal protection program which
includes collecting and protecting turtle eggs until
they hatch and are ready for release. The releasing
event symbolizes the beginning of a new year full of
hope for these marvelous animals.
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