Fiestas, Mexico's "feasts" for the senses, are an integral part of the country's culture. There are between 5,000 and 6,000 celebrations each year in Mexico, so you'll probably encounter at least one - and it's likely to become a highlight of your trip. Here are some of the major ones; ask your travel agent about others that might be going on in the areas you 're planning to visit.
January
1St - New Year. Nationwide.
6th - Feast of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day). Nationwide.
6th - Festival of St. Anthony. Mexico City and others.
February
2nd - Dia de la Candelaria. Nationwide.
5th - Constitution Day.
Nationwide. 23rd to 27th - Pre-Lenten Carnival celebrations. In seaside towns, particularly Veracruz and Mazatlan.
March
21st - Birthday of President Benito Juarez, a well-known President in Mexican history.
Nationwide. 2 st - Spring Equinox Festival in Chichen Itza. The shadow of a serpent appears on the main pyramid of Kukulkan. Light and sound shows, dancers, music.
April
Palm Sunday. Date and month vary. The beginning of Semana Santa (Holy Week). Nationwide. Easter Sunday. Date and month varies.
Nationwide. Feria de las Flores in Xochimilco. Beauty contest featuring parade of boats decorated with thouands of flowers.
May
1st - Labor Day. Nationwide. 5th - Battle of Puebla.
· Cancun International Jazz Festival. Date varies.
· Acapulco Music Festival Date varies.
· San Marcos National Fair in Aguascalientes, the first week in May. Mariachis, builfights, rodeos, ranchero music.
June
10th - Feast of Corpus Christi in Mexico City.
29th - Tlaquepaque Festival in Guadalajara. Mariachis, dancers, parades with floats.
July
Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca, Oaxaca. The third and last Mondays in July. Music and costumed dancers representing all the ethnic groups from Oaxaca's regions.
August
15th - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Huamantla, Tlaxcala. Miles of streets are carpeted with designs made from flower petals and colored sawdust. Cultural Festival in Mexico City. Date varies, in the month of August.
September
15th, 16th - Mexican Independence Day. Nationwide. 21st - Fall Equinox Festival in Chichen Itza. The shadow of a serpent appears on the main pyramid of Kukulkan. Light and sound shows, dancers, music.
October
12th - Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Nationwide.
l5th - 31st - Cervantes Festival in the City of Guanajuato. Fiestas de Octubre. Month-long celebrations, dances, charreadas, food, arts and crafts exhibits. Guadalajara.
November
1st - Dia de todo los Santos (All Saints Day). Nationwide.
2nd - Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Nationwide.
20th - Revolution Day. Nationwide.
December
12th - Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Nationwide, but especially at the Basilica in Mexico City. 16th to 24th -Posadaspageants. Nationwide 25th - Navidad (Christmas). Nationwide.