Major Festive Days

The festive days of Mexico chronicle the countries history and highlights the countries religious and cultural being.  Come to think of it if you understand what a people celebrate then you better understand where they are coming from regardless of where you are in the world.  So here are the days.  If you look for the links (green ones) you can read more detail and see some pictures.  If you have a summary of less tahn 500 words and/or some pictures you want to contribute send them along to sunwatts@gmail.com.

Jan. 1 — Año Nuevo — New Years

Jan 6 — Dia de los Reyes Magos — Day of the Magic Kings (literally)  when and how we decide who has to make the tomales

Feb 2 — when we eat the tomales

Feb 5 — Dia de la Constitición — Constitution day

Feb 24 — Dia de la Bandera — Flag day

Mar 12 — Día de la Raza –   Arrival of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) in the Americas.  Raza means Race

Mar 21 — Nacimiento de Benito Juárez — Birthday of Benito Juárez

April 5 – 12 (2009) Semana Santa – Easter Week literally Saint Week – date changes each year

Semana Pascua — Passover – the following week

April 30 — Dia del Niño — children’s day

May 1 — Dia del Trabajo — Labour day

May 5 — Cinco de Mayo –  Celebrating the victory at Puebla against the French invasion to establish Maximilian as King of Mexico.

May 10 — Dia del Madre — Mother’s Day

May 12 — Ferria de La Peñita first day – Colonias Pescadores and Cedros neighborhoods host the first parade and celebration (peregrinación)  this is followed each day by another neighborhood or organization like the Ejido and the fishermen on the south side of town culminating in the major celebration on the 20th

May 20 — dia de la Virgen de Talpa – patran saint day in La Penita – The Colonia Centro (i.e. mostly the Avenida merchants) host the last day of celebrations

June 20 — Dia del Padre — Father’s day

Sept 15 — Grito de Dolores — Cry of Pain

Sept 16 — Dia del Constitución — Constitution day — There were a number of constitutions but the one celebrated ….

Nov 1 and 2 — Dia de Todos los Santos — All Saints day

Nov. 20 — Dia de la Revolución — Revolution Day  best parade ever

Dec 12 — Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe — Day of the Virgen of Guadalupe — Mexico’s matron saint — Most important religious holiday

Dec 24 — Nocha Buena –  Christmas Eve

Dec 25 — Navidad — Christmas