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Most popular festivals in Mexico
Learn about the historical significance, cultural and religious impact, and how you can experience the most famous festivals in Mexico
If you plan to explore Mexican culture, visiting during major festivals will make your trip even more memorable. You can experience the country’s vibrant daily life, history, and traditions through music, dance, and delicious food.
From the Dia de Muertos to Carnivals to dates celebrating historical events, there’s something for everyone in Mexico. That’s why we prepared a guide with the most popular festivals in Mexico so you can connect with the country’s rich heritage during your trip.
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Why are festivals important in Mexico?
Festivals in Mexico hold great cultural and historical significance. Some, like Cinco de Mayo or Dia de la Independencia, commemorate notable dates in the nation’s history, while others, like Dia de los Muertos, have deep religious and spiritual roots.
No matter the occasion, Mexico’s popular festivals include local specialties, fireworks, and customs, making them the perfect displays of celebration of Mexican history and culture.
There is a festival for every travel style and need. Looking for concerts, customs, and mouth-watering bites? Carnivals are your go-to. More of a spiritual journey? The Fiesta de Santa Cecilia is your best call.
Must-experience festivals in Mexico
Mexican festivals occur throughout the year, but since planning a trip for each one might be difficult, let’s see which are must-experience celebrations to add to your Mexico travel itinerary.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
The Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is the most popular of all the festivals in Mexico, and it takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November. This tradition dates back to the Aztec Empire when people honored their deceased loved ones and family by creating beautiful altars with marigolds, candles, and personal mementos. They believed that during these days, the dead would return to Earth to visit their friends and family.
Nowadays, the tradition has changed a bit. The celebration includes offerings of pan de muerto (sweet bread), sugar skulls, and other traditional foods. Mexican families gather in cemeteries, light candles, say prayers for their ancestors and go to Churches.
Two main activities for visitors are trying delicious food and wearing traditional Catrina costumes and skeleton makeup.
Still, there’s more, as parades and dances continue during the day. Visitors can also celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones, including pets.
The Día de Muertos festival is part of the UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity list because of its historical significance and cultural impact on locals and visitors alike.
Dia de la Independencia (Independence Day)
Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 15th and 16th.
On September 15th, 1810. Miguel Hidalgo rang a Church bell to let the Mexican people know it was time to rise against the colonial occupation. This event is known today as El Grito. Today, as a way of marking this important day in Mexico’s history, people recreate El Grito. The action itself remains almost the same, but the Mexican president now rings the bell on this day.
While the El Grito, or El Grito de Dolores, mostly takes place in the National Palace in Mexico City, it might start in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, where the uprising started in 1810.
During this day, locals display the national flag throughout the country as an announcement that Independence Day is about to begin.
The celebration continues on September 16th. The Mexican Army and other security forces participate in parades, while locals prepare different activities such as workshops, artistic exhibitions, and tours to show their pride in being Mexicans.
Interesting fact: The El Grito tradition starts with a “Viva Mexico” shout, but there are no real roots on whether Miguel Hidalgo actually said this in 1810.
Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May)
While some people believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, that’s not true. It is a holiday that commemorates an important event in the Mexican Revolution. Namely, in 1862, the Mexican Army defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla.
While this is not a nationwide holiday, schools close, and Puebla hosts reenactments, parades, and cultural events.
Interesting fact: Although Cinco de Mayo is an important day for Mexicans, it is mostly celebrated in the United States.
Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe)
On December 12th, the Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, one of Mexico’s most important religious festivals, takes place.
This national holiday dates from the 16th century, when the Virgin Mary appeared in front of Juan Diego and spoke with him in Nahuatl, a local language of indigenous people in Mexico.
This apparition led to the conversion of locals to Catholicism and the construction of the Basilica of Guadalupe, later turning this holiday into a religious festival in the entire country.
The Basilica de Guadalupe receives thousands of pilgrims each year, coming to commemorate the Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe. Religious parades, music, and cultural festivities mark this deeply spiritual occasion, but the experience is incomplete without the real Mexican fiestas.
Mexico’s Carnival
Forty days before Easter, Mexico starts celebrating with Carnival—one of its most lively and colorful festivals.
During Mexico’s Carnival, the country goes through a week of best celebrations, where parades with themed floats and vibrant costumes are a key part of the festival.
But there are more activities to explore, like traditional dances, learning about Mexican history, colorful nights with parties almost everywhere, and other events, like the carnival queen and king.
Also, like in most festivals in Mexico, there is lots of Mexican street food to try while sipping your Margarita.
If you’re up for a week of partying and cultural events, Mexico City, Veracruz, and Cozumel are among the best cities to have the most unforgettable experience of the Carnival.
Fiesta de Santa Cecilia
On November 22nd, the Fiesta de Santa Cecilia takes place, and the country is filled with joyful music throughout the day.
Santa Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, is the main protagonist of this annual celebration, where mariachis and musicians walk around the streets of Mexico City to pay homage to the saint at a big open-air party.
This celebration isn’t limited to Mexico City, and mariachis from around the country also gather to play traditional songs, creating a party-like atmosphere.
Still, the best place to experience the Fiesta de Santa Cecilia is the Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City, which was originally named Plaza Santa Cecilia before the Mexican Revolution.
Mexican holidays: Dates in 2025
Holidays in Mexico can have a big impact on your travel experience. Some public holidays mean businesses, government offices, and banks may close, while others bring lively celebrations, parades, and cultural events that can enrich your trip. Knowing these key dates can help you schedule your travels, whether you want to plan around these holidays to enjoy the festivities or avoid potential disruptions.
Here’s a list of major public holidays in Mexico for 2025:
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Feb 3 | Constitution Day Holiday |
| Mar 17 | Benito Juarez Day |
| Apr 17 | Maundy Thursday |
| Apr 18 | Good Friday |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| June 1 | Public Holiday |
| Sep 16 | Independence Day |
| Nov 2 | All Souls’ Day |
| Nov 17 | Revolution Day Holiday |
| Dec 12 | Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day |
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day |
Stay connected with Holafly while traveling to Mexico
To fully enjoy Mexican festivals, staying connected is essential. Whether you need to navigate Google Maps, share your experiences on social media, or order an Uber to Plaza Garibaldi, a reliable internet connection is a must.
There are different options, like an eSIM for Mexico or a Mexican SIM card. The best option for Mexico is to use a Holafly eSIM. Data plans start at $6.90 and get cheaper the more days you buy. These include unlimited data, up to 5G connectivity with Telcel and Movistar, 24/7 customer support, data sharing, and excellent coverage.
But what if you’re planning on becoming a digital nomad in Mexico and staying for a longer period? Then, the Holafly Connect subscription is your best call.
You’ll get access to data plans from 10 GB to unlimited data, data sharing based on your plan, a five-minute setup process, plus all the features included in the prepaid eSIM plans. So, say goodbye to roaming in Mexico fees and welcome a unique way to experience festivals!
Connectivity made easy
Activate your Mexican eSIM in a few simple steps and manage your plan through our dedicated app.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
