In this short article, we take an in-depth look at some of Mexico’s colourful festivals and celebrations.
Of the many countries in South and Central America, Mexico stands out for many reasons. The nation sits on the border with the USA, with the Pacific Ocean to the south and southwest and by Belize and Guatemala to the southeast. It has the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, with some gorgeous beaches. It also offers one of the cheapest family vacations.
If you are planning a holiday in Mexico, here are some festivals and celebrations to look out for.
Semana Santa
This is a holy week that leads up to Easter, with colourful processions that celebrate the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a week-long affair and is one of the most popular Mexico guided tours in 2023, which takes you on a luxury train journey through the beautiful countryside and you can choose from several routes. One of the best locations to observe this festival is San Miguel De Allende, a small town in the central part of the country.
Guelaguetza
This festival takes place in July and it celebrates the cultural diversity of Mexico, which is both colourful and fun to see. The festival is held in Oaxaca, a very colourful city, which was once the centre of the Mixtec people. There are endless processions through the cobbled streets and if you are on a luxury train tour, you have an English-speaking guide with you at all times, which transforms the experience. Of course, there are different cultural aspects, depending on where you are in Mexico.
Mexican Independence Day
September 16th sees all the Mexicans in the streets celebrating the creation of their nation. There are processions, parades, markets and other colourful events on this day, so make sure you have lots of digital memory in your camera. The best way to enjoy Independence Day is with a guided tour, which you can find online.
Cinco De Mayo
The 5th of May sees the entire population singing and dancing in the streets, which is to celebrate their victory in the Battle of Puebla against France. Every city and town arranges parades, processions and festivals, so you can enjoy Cinco De Mayo with your family no matter where you are in Mexico. This long weekend is also a time for major sports and it also celebrates the start of summer.
Festival De Mexico
Set in March, the Festival De Mexico lasts 2 weeks and is primarily focused on art. Held largely in Mexico City, there are nightly performances that are free to attend and it is generally a joyful time. Dancing is very popular in Mexico, as is band-playing and large groups of musicians gather everywhere during the Festival De Mexico.
Las Posadas
This colourful festival marks the beginning of Christmas, a very holy time in Mexico when people like to congregate outside; the first day is the 16th of December when there are traditional parades, marked with loud music and lots of laughter. The festival is best enjoyed in one of small towns or villages, where everyone is outside getting ready for Christmas.
The above are only a few of the many festivals and celebrations that you will find when you travel to Mexico, which has some of the best places to visit around the world. If you would like to learn more about luxury guided train tours through Mexico, search online for a leading tour operator and take a look at the many luxury tour packages. These tours are very popular, so we advise you to book as soon as you know your dates. The tour operator is even taking bookings for 2025!