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| 2012 National Schedule |
2012 Festivals Across Mexico: A Sample
Here are just a few of the hundreds of colorful festivals that occur across Mexico during 2012. Many traditional festivities in small towns
adhere to their dates across the years, but please note: plans change - it is always worth consulting city organizers where you plan to visit.
With your generous support as Sponsors, each of the entries you see here will have its own full page within our new site, complete with great
writing, beautiful photographs, and helpful facts about the area!
adhere to their dates across the years, but please note: plans change - it is always worth consulting city organizers where you plan to visit.
With your generous support as Sponsors, each of the entries you see here will have its own full page within our new site, complete with great
writing, beautiful photographs, and helpful facts about the area!
Just click the "Donate" button to
your left to become a Sponsor!
your left to become a Sponsor!
JAN 01: New Year's Day (Año Nuevo) — Nationwide. Mexico rings in the New Year with celebrations featuring music, dance, food and fireworks.
JAN 05 - 30: Merida International Art Festival “Merida Cultural City”(Festival Internacional de las Artes “Mérida Capital Cultural”) -- Merida, Yucatan.
JAN 06: Three Kings' Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes) — Nationwide. The Feast of the Epiphany recalls the arrival in Bethlehem of the three wise men (reyes magos) bearing gifts for baby Jesus.
JAN 08 - 23: St. Sebastian Fiesta (Fiesta de San Sebastian el Martir) -- Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. This fiesta is famous for its "Parachicos" tour, which features a dancing procession.
JAN 13 - FEB 7: Leon State Fair -- Leon, Guanajuato. A three week long anniversary festival with everything the region can offer.
JAN 17: Feast Day of St. Anthony (Fiesta de San Antonio de Abad) Nationwide. Animals of every kind are decorated with flowers are brought to local churches to be blessed.
JAN 19: Ceremony of the Pocho Dance--Tenosique, Tabasco. A series of dances from pre-Hispanic times, featuring ancient ceremonies by masked tiger and jaguar dancers.
JAN 23- FEB 17: Carnaval Cozumel — Cozumel, Quintana Roo. Cozumel has commemorated this pre-Lenten celebration for nearly 100 years.
FEB 02: Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria) -- Nationwide. Celebrated with candlelight processions and dancing, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas celebration.
FEB 15 - 21: Carnivals -- Nationwide. Some of the most festive celebrations are held in the towns of Veracruz, Campeche, Mazatlan, Ensenada, and San Juan Chamula, Chiapas,
FEB 20 - 23: El “Cielo” International Nature Festival (Festival Internacional de la naturaleza “El Cielo”) -- Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas.
MAR 02: Night of the Witches -- Catemaco, Veracruz. The lakeside town of Catemaco, referred to as the mecca of witch doctors, attracts people seeking non-conventional healing methods.
MAR 07: LALA International Marathon Torreon — Torreon, Coahuila. Torreon will host thousands of international runners in one of the most important and traditional marathons in Mexico.
MAR 08 – 12: International Nautical Festival Vallarta -- Nueva Vallarta, Nayarit. Features sailing and a variety of beach activities that should be fun for the entire family.
MAR 15 - 18: Cancun- Riviera Maya Food and Wine Festival. Cancun, Yucatan. First annual version of a well-funded event featuring many events and celebrity chefs from around the world.
MAR 17 - 21: Tajin Summit (Cumbre Tajin) -- Tajin, Veracruz. This festival evokes the spring season.
MAR 21: Spring Equinox (Equinoccio de la Primavera) — Chichen-Itza, Yucatan. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan peninsula.
MAR 25 - APR 1: Guadalajara Film Festival -- Guadalajara, Jalisco. Now in its 23rd year.
MAR 10 – 27: Mexico City Festival (Festival del Centro Historico) -- Mexico City. Regarded as one of Latin America’s most vibrant celebrations of art and culture.
MAR 08 - 13: Zihuatanejo Internacional Guitar Festival – Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
MAR 26 - APR 09: Cultural Festival of Zacatecas (Festival Cultural de Zacatecas) -- Zacatecas, Zacatecas.
MAR 28: Sardine Fishing Ritual (Pesca de la Sardina) --Tacotalpa, Tabasco. The picturesque village of Tapijulapa is the site of an annual religious ritual with pre-Hispanic roots.
APR 1 – APR 08: Holy Week -- Nationwide. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter, the week's religious celebrations reenact the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion.
APR 06-10: International Guitar Festival of Morelia (Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Morelia) --Morelia, Michoacan.
APR 10 - 17: Xochimilco Festival -- Mexico City. Held two weeks before Easter, this four-day event honors the goddesses of flowers (Xochipilli) and dance (Maculxochitl) to ensure good harvests.
APR 23 - MAY 15: San Marcos Fair (Feria de San Marcos) -- Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes. A colorful three-week festival.
APR 23 - 25: Seashells and Wine Festival -- Ensenada, Baja California. Now in its 6th year, this festival celebrates the fine wine from the region.
APR 29 – MAY 16: Tabasco Fair (Feria de Tabasco) --Parque Villahermosa, Tabasco. Villahermosa Park hosts this colorful state fair where 17 counties share their best in cuisine, arts and crafts.
MAY 05: Battle of Puebla - Cinco de Mayo. Nationwide. A public holiday and commemoration of the Mexican Army's defeat of the French in 1862.
MAY 05 - 09: International Cup Vallarta Soccer – Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. If you like soccer and the beach, this is a great opportunity to visit Puerto Vallarta.
MAY 14 : Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Ride -- Rosarito Beach, Baja California. Head south of the border with your bicycles for a fifty-mile group ride.
MAY 15 - 16: Huatulco Sail Fishing Tournament (Torneo Internacional de la Pesca de Pez Vela) -- Huatulco, Oaxaca. Now in its 23rd year.
MAY 16: Feast of the vineyards in bloom-- Ensenada, Baja California. Family fair with games, regional foods, wine and live entertainment at Mogor Badan Winery, Carr. Tecate-Ensenada.
MAY 21 – 29: Alarconian Theatrical Festival (XVIII Jornadas Alarconianas) -- Taxco, Guerrero. The picturesque silver mining town of Taxco will host 10 days of artistic and cultural events.
MAY 27 - JUN 05: International Wine and Cheese Festival (Feria Internacional de Queso y Vino) --Tequisquiapan, Queretaro.
MAY 22: Annual Triathlon — Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
JUN 01 – 15 : Buenavista Festivities -- La Paz, Baja California Sur. Try wind surfing and all the amenities this lovely town has for you.
JUN 24 -- Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. (San Juan Bautista) Nationwide. Local fairs celebrate this saint's special day with water-related festivities.
JUN 18 - 26: Feast of Corpus Christi (Feria de Corpus Christi.) Papantla, Veracruz. Indigenous ceremonies flavor this Catholic feast day
JUL 09 – SEP 05: Festival of Adventure Tourism (Festival de Turismo de Aventura) -- Chihuahua, Chihuahua. This festival features everything from triathlons to sand-boarding.
JUL 14 - 24: Villista Cavalcade — Chihuahua, Chihuahua. An annual week-long cavalcade from the city of Chihuahua to Hidalgo del Parral, covering more than 136 miles.
JUL 14 - 17: Nueva Paquime Festival — Casas Grandes, Chihuahua. This festival, just outside the Paquime UNESCO site, is a celebration of the heritage and cultures of northern Mexico.
JUL 25 - AUG 01: Guelaguetza -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca. This huge event brings together delegations from the region's seven indigenous cultures, offers to the gods hopes for a bountiful harvest,
JUL 22 - 31: International Film Festival, Short Expression (El Festival de Expresion en Corto) --Guanajuato, Guanajuato.
JUL 26 - AUG 09: International Amber Expo (Expo Ambar Internacional) -- San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Mexican amber is considered by many the finest in the world.
JUL 30 – AUG 15: International Chamber Music Festival (Festival Internacional de Musica de Camara) --San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
AUG 05 - 20: Huamantla Fair (Feria de Huamantla) — Huamantla, Tlaxcala. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, churches and city streets are draped in a beautiful tapestry of flower petals and decorative sawdust.
SEP 02 - 19: Bicentennial Zacatecas National Fair — Zacatecas, Zacatecas. Colonial jewel Zacatecas, celebrates its rich cultural history with a two week-long fair.
SEP 12: International Mexico City Marathon (XXII Maraton Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico) -- Mexico City.
SEP 15 – 16: Mexican Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia Mexicana) —Nationwide. Mexico celebrates its declaration of independence from Spain in 1810.
SEP 22: Fall Equinox at Kulkulcan (Equinoccio de Kulkulcan) -- Chichen Itza, Yucatan. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan Peninsula.
SEP 30 – OCT 22: National Mole Fair (29° Feria Nacional del Mole) -- San Pedro Actopan, Mexico. Thousands of varieties of mole will be prepared for sampling and competition.
OCT 1 - 3: Entijuanarte 2010 --Tijuana, Baja California. Entijuanarte is an independent cultural project, which will celebrate its 6th consecutive year with a multidisciplinary exhibition.
OCT 2 – 3: Rosarito Beach International Mariachi & Folklorico Festival-- Rosarito, Baja California Sur.
OCT 8 – 24: Revueltas Festival -- Durango, Durango. Very well-rounded cultural festival, considered as the most important spectacle of the year.
OCT 7 – NOV. 7: October Festivals (Fiestas de Octubre) -- Guadalajara, Jalisco. Traditional festival featuring live music, endless food and a handicraft exhibition.
OCT 12– 30: International Cervantine Festival (38° Festival Cervantino Internacional) -- Guanajuato, Guanajuato. One of the most important cultural events in Mexico.
OCT 15 – 24: Festival of the Balloon and the Monarch Butterfly -- Cuatro Cienegas, Coahuilla. Located in a desert region, the city of Cuatro Cienegas is an official Mexican biosphere reserve.
OCT 15 – 23: Morelia International Film Festival -- Morelia, Michoacan. Now in its eighth year.
OCT. 31 – NOV. 2: Day of the Dead -- Nationwide. Local markets burst with preparatory activities, and playful skeleton imagery adorns storefronts and home windows.
NOV 1 - 5: Candy and Nut Festival -- Parras, Coahuila. Parras is characterized by its elaborate milk candies, nuts, preservers, fruit liquors, etc.
NOV 10 – 20: International Gourmet Festival (Festival Gourmet Internacional) -- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
NOV 20: Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution -- Nationwide.
NOV 24 – 26: Annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival -- Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo. Now in its 8th year.
NOV 27: Shrimp Festival -- San Carlos, Sonora. Various cultural events, music and dances are also held in diverse points of San Carlos.
DEC 01 - 23: Campeche Historical Festival – Campeche, Campeche.
DEC 03: Grand Pacific Marathon (Gran Maraton Pacifico) -- Mazatlan, Sinaloa.
DEC 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe -- Nationwide. The most important holiday in Mexico in which millions of pilgrims converge on the Basilica of the country’s patron saint to pay tribute.
DEC 16 - 24: Posada and Piñata Fair (Feria de la Posada y Piñata) -- Alcoman, Estado de Mexico. An annual celebration near Mexico City of the Posadas procession.
DEC 16 - 24: Posadas -- Nationwide. Processions recreating Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem.
DEC 23: Festival of the Radishes (Festival de los Rabanos) -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca.
DEC 24: Las Calendas -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca. The districts of Oaxaca City prepare floats and costumes for processions held throughout the city.
JAN 05 - 30: Merida International Art Festival “Merida Cultural City”(Festival Internacional de las Artes “Mérida Capital Cultural”) -- Merida, Yucatan.
JAN 06: Three Kings' Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes) — Nationwide. The Feast of the Epiphany recalls the arrival in Bethlehem of the three wise men (reyes magos) bearing gifts for baby Jesus.
JAN 08 - 23: St. Sebastian Fiesta (Fiesta de San Sebastian el Martir) -- Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. This fiesta is famous for its "Parachicos" tour, which features a dancing procession.
JAN 13 - FEB 7: Leon State Fair -- Leon, Guanajuato. A three week long anniversary festival with everything the region can offer.
JAN 17: Feast Day of St. Anthony (Fiesta de San Antonio de Abad) Nationwide. Animals of every kind are decorated with flowers are brought to local churches to be blessed.
JAN 19: Ceremony of the Pocho Dance--Tenosique, Tabasco. A series of dances from pre-Hispanic times, featuring ancient ceremonies by masked tiger and jaguar dancers.
JAN 23- FEB 17: Carnaval Cozumel — Cozumel, Quintana Roo. Cozumel has commemorated this pre-Lenten celebration for nearly 100 years.
FEB 02: Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria) -- Nationwide. Celebrated with candlelight processions and dancing, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas celebration.
FEB 15 - 21: Carnivals -- Nationwide. Some of the most festive celebrations are held in the towns of Veracruz, Campeche, Mazatlan, Ensenada, and San Juan Chamula, Chiapas,
FEB 20 - 23: El “Cielo” International Nature Festival (Festival Internacional de la naturaleza “El Cielo”) -- Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas.
MAR 02: Night of the Witches -- Catemaco, Veracruz. The lakeside town of Catemaco, referred to as the mecca of witch doctors, attracts people seeking non-conventional healing methods.
MAR 07: LALA International Marathon Torreon — Torreon, Coahuila. Torreon will host thousands of international runners in one of the most important and traditional marathons in Mexico.
MAR 08 – 12: International Nautical Festival Vallarta -- Nueva Vallarta, Nayarit. Features sailing and a variety of beach activities that should be fun for the entire family.
MAR 15 - 18: Cancun- Riviera Maya Food and Wine Festival. Cancun, Yucatan. First annual version of a well-funded event featuring many events and celebrity chefs from around the world.
MAR 17 - 21: Tajin Summit (Cumbre Tajin) -- Tajin, Veracruz. This festival evokes the spring season.
MAR 21: Spring Equinox (Equinoccio de la Primavera) — Chichen-Itza, Yucatan. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan peninsula.
MAR 25 - APR 1: Guadalajara Film Festival -- Guadalajara, Jalisco. Now in its 23rd year.
MAR 10 – 27: Mexico City Festival (Festival del Centro Historico) -- Mexico City. Regarded as one of Latin America’s most vibrant celebrations of art and culture.
MAR 08 - 13: Zihuatanejo Internacional Guitar Festival – Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
MAR 26 - APR 09: Cultural Festival of Zacatecas (Festival Cultural de Zacatecas) -- Zacatecas, Zacatecas.
MAR 28: Sardine Fishing Ritual (Pesca de la Sardina) --Tacotalpa, Tabasco. The picturesque village of Tapijulapa is the site of an annual religious ritual with pre-Hispanic roots.
APR 1 – APR 08: Holy Week -- Nationwide. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter, the week's religious celebrations reenact the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion.
APR 06-10: International Guitar Festival of Morelia (Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Morelia) --Morelia, Michoacan.
APR 10 - 17: Xochimilco Festival -- Mexico City. Held two weeks before Easter, this four-day event honors the goddesses of flowers (Xochipilli) and dance (Maculxochitl) to ensure good harvests.
APR 23 - MAY 15: San Marcos Fair (Feria de San Marcos) -- Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes. A colorful three-week festival.
APR 23 - 25: Seashells and Wine Festival -- Ensenada, Baja California. Now in its 6th year, this festival celebrates the fine wine from the region.
APR 29 – MAY 16: Tabasco Fair (Feria de Tabasco) --Parque Villahermosa, Tabasco. Villahermosa Park hosts this colorful state fair where 17 counties share their best in cuisine, arts and crafts.
MAY 05: Battle of Puebla - Cinco de Mayo. Nationwide. A public holiday and commemoration of the Mexican Army's defeat of the French in 1862.
MAY 05 - 09: International Cup Vallarta Soccer – Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. If you like soccer and the beach, this is a great opportunity to visit Puerto Vallarta.
MAY 14 : Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Ride -- Rosarito Beach, Baja California. Head south of the border with your bicycles for a fifty-mile group ride.
MAY 15 - 16: Huatulco Sail Fishing Tournament (Torneo Internacional de la Pesca de Pez Vela) -- Huatulco, Oaxaca. Now in its 23rd year.
MAY 16: Feast of the vineyards in bloom-- Ensenada, Baja California. Family fair with games, regional foods, wine and live entertainment at Mogor Badan Winery, Carr. Tecate-Ensenada.
MAY 21 – 29: Alarconian Theatrical Festival (XVIII Jornadas Alarconianas) -- Taxco, Guerrero. The picturesque silver mining town of Taxco will host 10 days of artistic and cultural events.
MAY 27 - JUN 05: International Wine and Cheese Festival (Feria Internacional de Queso y Vino) --Tequisquiapan, Queretaro.
MAY 22: Annual Triathlon — Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
JUN 01 – 15 : Buenavista Festivities -- La Paz, Baja California Sur. Try wind surfing and all the amenities this lovely town has for you.
JUN 24 -- Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. (San Juan Bautista) Nationwide. Local fairs celebrate this saint's special day with water-related festivities.
JUN 18 - 26: Feast of Corpus Christi (Feria de Corpus Christi.) Papantla, Veracruz. Indigenous ceremonies flavor this Catholic feast day
JUL 09 – SEP 05: Festival of Adventure Tourism (Festival de Turismo de Aventura) -- Chihuahua, Chihuahua. This festival features everything from triathlons to sand-boarding.
JUL 14 - 24: Villista Cavalcade — Chihuahua, Chihuahua. An annual week-long cavalcade from the city of Chihuahua to Hidalgo del Parral, covering more than 136 miles.
JUL 14 - 17: Nueva Paquime Festival — Casas Grandes, Chihuahua. This festival, just outside the Paquime UNESCO site, is a celebration of the heritage and cultures of northern Mexico.
JUL 25 - AUG 01: Guelaguetza -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca. This huge event brings together delegations from the region's seven indigenous cultures, offers to the gods hopes for a bountiful harvest,
JUL 22 - 31: International Film Festival, Short Expression (El Festival de Expresion en Corto) --Guanajuato, Guanajuato.
JUL 26 - AUG 09: International Amber Expo (Expo Ambar Internacional) -- San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Mexican amber is considered by many the finest in the world.
JUL 30 – AUG 15: International Chamber Music Festival (Festival Internacional de Musica de Camara) --San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
AUG 05 - 20: Huamantla Fair (Feria de Huamantla) — Huamantla, Tlaxcala. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, churches and city streets are draped in a beautiful tapestry of flower petals and decorative sawdust.
SEP 02 - 19: Bicentennial Zacatecas National Fair — Zacatecas, Zacatecas. Colonial jewel Zacatecas, celebrates its rich cultural history with a two week-long fair.
SEP 12: International Mexico City Marathon (XXII Maraton Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico) -- Mexico City.
SEP 15 – 16: Mexican Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia Mexicana) —Nationwide. Mexico celebrates its declaration of independence from Spain in 1810.
SEP 22: Fall Equinox at Kulkulcan (Equinoccio de Kulkulcan) -- Chichen Itza, Yucatan. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan Peninsula.
SEP 30 – OCT 22: National Mole Fair (29° Feria Nacional del Mole) -- San Pedro Actopan, Mexico. Thousands of varieties of mole will be prepared for sampling and competition.
OCT 1 - 3: Entijuanarte 2010 --Tijuana, Baja California. Entijuanarte is an independent cultural project, which will celebrate its 6th consecutive year with a multidisciplinary exhibition.
OCT 2 – 3: Rosarito Beach International Mariachi & Folklorico Festival-- Rosarito, Baja California Sur.
OCT 8 – 24: Revueltas Festival -- Durango, Durango. Very well-rounded cultural festival, considered as the most important spectacle of the year.
OCT 7 – NOV. 7: October Festivals (Fiestas de Octubre) -- Guadalajara, Jalisco. Traditional festival featuring live music, endless food and a handicraft exhibition.
OCT 12– 30: International Cervantine Festival (38° Festival Cervantino Internacional) -- Guanajuato, Guanajuato. One of the most important cultural events in Mexico.
OCT 15 – 24: Festival of the Balloon and the Monarch Butterfly -- Cuatro Cienegas, Coahuilla. Located in a desert region, the city of Cuatro Cienegas is an official Mexican biosphere reserve.
OCT 15 – 23: Morelia International Film Festival -- Morelia, Michoacan. Now in its eighth year.
OCT. 31 – NOV. 2: Day of the Dead -- Nationwide. Local markets burst with preparatory activities, and playful skeleton imagery adorns storefronts and home windows.
NOV 1 - 5: Candy and Nut Festival -- Parras, Coahuila. Parras is characterized by its elaborate milk candies, nuts, preservers, fruit liquors, etc.
NOV 10 – 20: International Gourmet Festival (Festival Gourmet Internacional) -- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
NOV 20: Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution -- Nationwide.
NOV 24 – 26: Annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival -- Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo. Now in its 8th year.
NOV 27: Shrimp Festival -- San Carlos, Sonora. Various cultural events, music and dances are also held in diverse points of San Carlos.
DEC 01 - 23: Campeche Historical Festival – Campeche, Campeche.
DEC 03: Grand Pacific Marathon (Gran Maraton Pacifico) -- Mazatlan, Sinaloa.
DEC 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe -- Nationwide. The most important holiday in Mexico in which millions of pilgrims converge on the Basilica of the country’s patron saint to pay tribute.
DEC 16 - 24: Posada and Piñata Fair (Feria de la Posada y Piñata) -- Alcoman, Estado de Mexico. An annual celebration near Mexico City of the Posadas procession.
DEC 16 - 24: Posadas -- Nationwide. Processions recreating Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem.
DEC 23: Festival of the Radishes (Festival de los Rabanos) -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca.
DEC 24: Las Calendas -- Oaxaca, Oaxaca. The districts of Oaxaca City prepare floats and costumes for processions held throughout the city.
| Thanks for supporting our efforts to create a complete listing of these cultural events, complete with articles and the world-class photography we're known for! See our Sponsors page for details... |