4 festive seasons in Mexico
In France, we have a rather limited view of the events that punctuate the year in Mexico. We think especially of the famous "Dia de los Muertos", while the country is home to a multitude of celebrations reflecting all the opulence of Mexican history and culture! No fewer than 120 traditional festivals punctuate the year and the majority are directly linked to religion , since it is estimated that 80% of the population identifies as Catholic.
In this article, you will be able to gain an overview of the most important Mexican festivals while discovering some great anecdotes , especially at the end of the article ;) And if you are planning a vacation across the Atlantic , this is the perfect opportunity to take part in one of these events and thus create unique and authentic memories. Have a good trip and happy reading!
Mexican celebrations throughout the year
Autumn 🍂
- The Day of Independence (September 16)
This day marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence! At the time, indigenous peoples were determined to end more than 300 years of Spanish colonization and abolish what was then called "New Spain." It was the priest Miguel Hidalgo who launched an appeal to Mexicans in 1810, the famous "viva Mexico," now echoed by the President during his speech on September 16. In Spanish, it is called "el grito," which means "the cry," symbolizing Mexico's independence. What is less well known, however, is that Miguel Hidalgo's appeal led to a particularly long war, since the Republic of Mexico was not proclaimed until 1823.
Independence Day is a very important celebration in Mexico, just like our national July 14th. In the streets, you'll see the Mexican flag everywhere, and the party will be on full display, with fireworks and even historical reenactments. As we mentioned, the President begins a legendary speech, and the same bell used by Miguel Hidalgo 200 years ago rings throughout the city!
- El dia de los muertos (November 1 and 2)
How can we miss this celebration, famous throughout the world for its fascinating and colorful folklore? In Mexico, there is a centuries-old belief that death is an integral part of the cycle of life. Thus, it is not feared by the population and even gives rise to beautiful tributes to the deceased, whose souls are said to return to earth at this time of year. A blend of Aztec and then Catholic traditions following Spanish colonization, the Day of the Dead as we know it today is a joyful commemoration, also listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site.
The Mexican version of All Saints' Day is celebrated in every home. Altars are erected in honor of our deceased loved ones, adorned with offerings, flowers, candles, photos, and more. Outside, the same approach is followed by the decoration of graves in cemeteries. Another aspect of the holiday, familiar to us from France, is that Mexicans adorn themselves with sumptuous costumes and makeup to parade through the streets!
Winter ❄️
- El dia de nuestra señora de Guadalupe (December 12)
As Christmas approaches, Mexicans gather to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego in the 16th century , who was recognized by the Catholic Church as the first Native American Christian. This religious festival receives great attention in the country, as it is considered the most important today.
A true symbol of the Mexican people, the Virgin of Guadalupe is commonly known as the "patron saint of Mexico" and was named "Queen of Mexico" by Pope John Paul II at the beginning of the 21st century. Her aura conveys the strong identity of pre-Hispanic communities and aims to ensure their survival. How is she celebrated? Mexicans gather and hold masses in her honor, all in a festive atmosphere lulled by traditional music and dance.
- Las posadas de Navidad (December 16 to 24)
Why settle for just one evening? In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated for... 9 days! The reason is religious, since this period symbolizes the length of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, in search of a home to give birth to the baby Jesus. Similarly, families gather every evening, taking care to set up a Christmas nativity scene in their homes. Many carols are sung, delicious meals are served, and the traditional piñata is broken on the evening of December 24.
Our team has also written a blog post entirely dedicated to Christmas in Mexico, which is packed with information about this celebration. We strongly encourage you to read it to learn more by clicking here.
- El dia de los santos reyes (January 6)
In France, we have the Three Wise Men and the tasting of the famous galette des rois. Note that the Mexican tradition is essentially the same, since we also celebrate Melchior, Balthazar, and Caspar, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus! However, Mexicans do not eat a galette but a crown of kings, also containing a bean. The king or queen who found it is then designated to prepare delicious tamales (sweet or savory doughnuts) during Candlemas in February. It is also on this day that Mexican children receive their gifts from the Three Wise Men, and not from Santa Claus.
- Veracruz Carnival (February)
Less renowned than the Rio Carnival but just as impressive, the Veracruz Carnival is a true institution embodying all the richness of Mexico, from its pre-Columbian origins to its contemporary history. This celebration is relatively modern since it was established during the reign of Emperor Maximilian I, to be
On this occasion, Mexicans engage in various festive activities such as the election of the Carnival Queen, the symbolic burning of "bad humor," and parades of floats. Carnival enjoys significant visibility and attracts many tourists each year.
Spring 🌼
- Holy Week (April)
Here is a new celebration awaited throughout the year by Mexicans, less for its religious aura than for the opportunity to go on vacation after 12 months of hard work! Coinciding with our Easter holidays, the "semana santa" is an institution bringing the entire country to a standstill to allow residents to join their loved ones and, for the most religious, to devote themselves to a week of religious journey.
A televised event, the theatrical representation of the Stations of the Cross brings together an impressive crowd of extras, led by actors revisiting the last days of Jesus. The actor playing the role of the latter must also be well trained, since he carries a heavy cross weighing 90 kg over a distance of several kilometers. This one will have well deserved his Oscar ;)
- May 5th
This event is less important than Mexican Independence Day because it is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, where a battle between France and Mexico took place in 1862. The victory of the Mexican soldiers is historically significant, as they were far outnumbered by the French soldiers who wanted to conquer the country. May 5th has therefore become a public holiday in Puebla, Mexico's fourth-largest city, and actors reenact the battle on this occasion, accompanied by dancers and mariachis.
An anecdote about "Cinco de Mayo"? This holiday is widely celebrated in the United States by the Mexican community, who take the opportunity to remember their roots and culture. The spring season is also more conducive to festivities than Mexican Independence Day (September 16), which falls right in the middle of the back-to-school season.
Summer 🌵
- Guelaguetza (mid-July)
Unlike other seasons, summer is much quieter in terms of commemoration! However, we couldn't miss the Guelaguetza, a festival celebrated in the state of Oaxaca that brings together all of its indigenous communities to highlight their riches. "Guelaguetza" means "offering" or "exchange" in the Zapotec language (still spoken today), and this name captures the essence of the event. Indeed, it values support between the cultures of the south, although its origins remain somewhat mysterious.
The different peoples of the state of Oaxaca come together and each one shares their music, their dances, their traditions, their clothes, their gastronomy... The festival is an explosion of colors and talents, where wonderful local crafts are represented! In this joyful and charitable atmosphere, regional products are willingly offered to the spectators so that ancestral know-how is never lost .
Celebrating Mexico in France: at the heart of the Barcelonnette festivities
Do you dream of taking part in these celebrations without leaving France? You should know that this is possible, as every summer the Latin-Mexican festivals are held in the town of Barcelonnette, located in the Southern Alps. Atypical, isn't it? ;) The reason for the event is as exciting as it is original. We'll explain!
In the 19th century, silk merchants from the Ubaye Valley decided to leave for the United States to launch their commercial activities across the Atlantic, and ended up settling in Mexico City, the capital just liberated from the Spanish. The first fabric store was established on Mexican territory and success was assured. The news spread to France and in turn, thousands of inhabitants of the valley emigrated to Mexico with the hope of making their fortune there (we are still talking about more than 6,000 expatriates over 150 years).
Called the "Barcelonnettes" , this network of merchants gave life to impressive structures like the Parisian department stores (like El Palacio de Hierro which still exists in the capital), but also to important textile factories. If these migratory movements experienced a major boom during the previous two centuries, the French were determined to return to the country once their American dream was realized. They also built grandiose houses in the valley, wrongly renamed "Mexican villas" since they simply took up the codes of the large bourgeois residences of the time. This phenomenon experienced a slowdown between the two wars following the rise of authoritarianism and the nationalization of companies in Mexico, before completely ceasing in the middle of the 20th century.
Today, we celebrate the long-standing alliance between the two countries with these Latin-Mexican festivals, punctuated by mariachis and salsa lessons! If you're passing through the region, don't forget to visit the Musée de la Vallée , which retraces the incredible history of the "Barcelonnettes."
We hope you enjoyed this overview of Mexico's famous festivals and invite you to subscribe to our newsletter to be informed of upcoming online articles!
