An Overview of Mexican Celebrations for Travelers

Mexico is very popular travel destination for travelers. If you are considering a trip, timing it to coincide with one of the celebration periods is a good idea.

An Overview of Mexican Celebrations for Travelers

Everyone knows about the many holidays and celebrations that are held in the United States. While many of the religious and cultural holidays that are celebrated here in the US are also held throughout the rest of the world, there are other holidays that are specific to other countries. The holidays of Mexico, for example, contain many other days and periods of the year that are celebrated only in that country.

New Year's Day
The first of the celebrations of Mexico celebrated throughout the year is New Year's Day, which is held on January 1st. This is the same New Year's that is celebrated by most countries that use the Gregorian calendar, so it's no surprise that Mexico also marks this day as important. The second holiday of the year in Mexico is not celebrated anywhere else, however. This day falls on February 2nd, and it is known as Constitution Day (Dia de la Constitucion).

Constitution Day
Constitution Day celebrates the Constitution of 1917, which was adopted after the end of the Mexican Revolution which took place in the early 1900's. The next one of the holidays of Mexico that is different from those in other countries is Benito Juarez's Birthday, celebrated on March 21. This day is important because Juarez was a revolutionary (also president and statesman) during the 19th Century. At this time, he stood up to the French intervention in Mexico, and managed to get the French to leave the country.

Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo, or May 5th, is one of the most well known Mexican celebrations. This day, which is celebrated with parties and get-togethers even in the US, is not even considered an official holiday in Mexico. It celebrates the victory against the French forces in the city of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862. This holiday is probably the most celebrated Mexican holiday among Mexican-Americans. September 16, however, is an official holiday – Independence Day, which celebrates the start of the Independence War against Spain in the year 1810.

There are other holidays of Mexico, including the religious holidays of Easter and Christmas (most of Mexico is Christian/Roman Catholic). Another unofficial holiday is the Day of the Dead, held on November 1st, which celebrates the departed with festivals and offerings. The many Mexican celebrations hold special meanings to the residents of Mexico, so many of the Mexican immigrants to the United States also celebrate these special days.