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January
New Years Day – January
1
Celebrated with midnight dancing and the offering up a flaming effigy
of the old year, really out with the old and in with the new!
Mayan Village Show
Enjoy recreations of ancient Mayan festivals, including a jungle walk
and celebration of the discovery of fire, throughout the month of January,
at Xcaret Park.
El Día de Los
Reyes (Feast of the Epiphany / Three Kings Day)
During the first week in January, local restaurants serve a cake called
Rosca de Reyes. Traditionally the cake is baked with one small doll inside;
the lucky recipient of the doll must invite everyone at the table to
hot chocolate and tamales served in February during Candlemas. Children
also receive their gifts form the Three Wise Men.
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February
La Candeleria (Candlemas)
During the first week of February, the end of the Christmas season is
marked with the Candlemas celebration in homes and at local restaurants,
involving a meal of tamales and hot chocolate. Traditionally the fortunate
recipient of the Rosca de Reyes cake token hosts the party.
Constitution Day – February
5
Speeches and ceremonies commemorating this National Holiday.
Día de la Bandera
(Flag Day) – February 24
In mid-late February, the streets are filled with Mexican flag vendors,
and on February 24 everyone places a flag on their cars while children
present a commemorative ceremony.
Cancun Carnival – February
- March
Cancun celebrates a week-long carnival with various parties and events,
but the main day is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The streets of the
city fill with thousands of people to see the processional floats, traditional
music, dance and fancy dress. There is also plenty of local food and
drink to try as you join the party.
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March
Cancun Carnival – February
- March
Cancun celebrates a week-long carnival with various parties and events,
but the main day is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The streets of the
city fill with thousands of people to see the processional floats, traditional
music, dance and fancy dress. There is also plenty of local food and
drink to try as you join the party.
March 5
Six triangles appear on the side of the staircase at El Castillo between
4 and 4:30 pm. Check out the local ruins at Chichen Itza for this event
tied into the Maya astrological calendar.
Vernal Equinox – March
21
Visitors come to the main temple at Chichen Itza in late March to see
the descent of the serpent Kukulkan. History has it that the Maya constructed
the temple in a way that during equinox a beam of sunlight creates a
shadow moving down towards earth resembling a slithering snake.
Benito Juarez's Birthday – March
21
The birthday of Benito Juarez is a national holiday honouring the president
and leader of the 19th-Century Reform movement. Schools, banks and government
offices are closed.
Lasser Sailing Show
During the last half of March, the waters around Cancun are filled with
sailing vessels of all description.
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April
Semana Santa (Holy Week
and Easter)
To the Mexican people, these events are more sacred than Christmas and
are celebrated in a big way throughout the country. Many families go
on holiday together and beaches are a popular destination. Look for Passion
Plays, colourful confetti filled eggs and religious processions. Reserve
your room early!
April 6
Nine triangles appear on the side of the staircase at El Castillo. Check
out the local ruins at Chichen Itza for this event tied into the Maya
astrological calendar.
Anniversary of the Founding
of Cancun
Residents celebrate the origin of their city throughout the downtown
area with parades and street parties. This celebration also includes
cultural singing and dancing and lasts throughout the month of April.
Sol a Sol International
Regatta – late April - early May
This sailboat regatta is launched from St. Petersburg, Florida, and arriving
in Isla Mujeres, sparking a  festival of art, regional music and dances,
and a general air of festivity.
Feria del Cedral (in
Cozumel) – April 23 - May 3 (dates vary each
year)
At the ancient Mayan settlement of El Cedral the people celebrate the
founding of the town with cattle exhibitions, rodeos, races, rides and
bullfights, as well as a series of novenas, or prayer sessions, over
several days.
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May
Cinco de Mayo – May
5
This national holiday commemorates Mexico's defeat of the French in the
Battle of Puebla in 1862. Cancun explodes with patriotic parades and
fireworks. And it's a good excuse to have fun! Schools, government offices
and some banks are closed.
Cancun Jazz Festival
Top jazz musicians from around the world converge on Cancun. Take in
free nightly concerts held throughout the city both downtown and in
the Hotel Zone. It all culminates with an enormous evening beach-bash.
The Cancun Jazz Festival is held on Memorial Day weekend.
Cancun International
Gay Festival
Enjoy food, music, mariachi bands, a cruise of the Caribbean, assorted
parties and a final champagne breakfast, during a weekend in May.
Billfish Tournaments – early
May - late June
Contests are held in Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, and in
Cancun that draw fishermen from all over the world.
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June
Billfish Tournaments – early
May - late June
Contests are held in Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, and in
Cancun that draw fishermen from all over the world.
Navy Day Fishing Tournament
- around June 1
Locals and fishermen from all over the world meet for this prestigious
sports fishing event.
Summer Solstice - June
21
Summer solstice is the longest day of the year. It is also the day when
the south and west sides of El Castillo at Chichen Itza are in total
darkness between 7 and 7:30 pm. Check out the local ruins at Chichen
Itza· for a solstice celebration tied into the Maya astrological
calendar.
San Pedro y San Pablo – around
June 29
Cozumel hosts this fair honouring St. Peter and St. Paul, with food stalls,
crafts and dancing.
Caribbean Hotel International
Congress
During the last week of June the annual meeting of Caribbean hotel proprietors,
part of which is open to the public, brings with it an exposition of
various foods and services offered throughout the area.
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July
Feast of Our Lady of
Carmen
The port town of Playa del Carmen hosts an annual regional fair which
includes bullfighting and livestock exhibitions, sporting events, plenty
of food, drinking and dancing, in mid-July. You may have to travel into
the city (rather than the tourist area) to take in many of the events.
Start of Mayan New Year – July
16
Check out the local ruins at Chichen Itza for a New Year celebration
tied into the Maya astrological calendar.
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August
Xel-Ha
August is the perfect month in which to visit the Xel-Ha tropical water
park, where you can explore the forest and waterscapes of the Yucatan
Peninsula.
Isla Mujeres Founding
Day – August 17
Celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of Isla Mujeres as a city.
The festivities include a civic parade, outdoor events, live music and
a full night of dancing.
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September
State of the Union Address – early
September
The liquor doesn't flow on this day until the President finishes his
lengthy four or five hour speech about how the country is doing. By then
everyone is thirsty for a cerveza!
Traditional Bullfights
Every Wednesday afternoon, the Plaza de Toros hosts traditional bullfights
in all their pageantry.
September 6
Nine triangles appear on the side of the staircase at El Castillo to
mark the last day of the 52 day Mayan New Year event. Check out the
local ruins at Chichen Itza for this event tied into the Maya astrological
calendar.
Fiesta de San Román
(Feast of Saint Roman) – September 14-28
This famous holiday attracts 50,000 people to the city of Campeche to
view the procession through the streets of the Black Christ of San Román
-- its patron saint.
Dia de la Independencia
(Independence Day) – September 15
On the night of the 15 September, Mexico's Independence celebrations
begin with El Grito, meaning "the Shout", referring to the
call for independence by the country's liberator, Padre Miguel Hidalgo.
Cancun’s downtown and hotel zone, as well as Isla de Mujeres, come
alive with a celebration of all things Mexican.
Autumnal Equinox
Take a tour to the famous Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza, and marvel at
the famous sunset optical illusion when shadows zigzag their way to
the stone carving of the feathered serpent Kukulkan. This takes place
during the late afternoon of the autumnal equinox. Expect large crowds
on this day!
Fiesta de Saint Michael
the Archangel – September 26 - October 3
Cozumel pays homage to its patron saint, San Miguel Arcangel (Saint Michael
the Archangel) with festivities throughout the island, including masses,
parades and parties.
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October
Mexican Caribbean Travel
Mart
During the first week in October, the Cancun Travel Agent Association
and the Cancun Hotel Association hold their annual convention, part of
which is open to the public, and showcase food and services offered in
the area.
The Isla Mujeres International
Music Festival – October 8 - 13
All of the island comes alive with music and dance as performers from
around the world participate in this 12-day event.
October 9
Six triangles appear on the side of the staircase at El Castillo between
4 and 4:30 pm. Check out the local ruins at Chichen Itza for this event
tied into the Maya astrological calendar.
Día de la Raza
(Race Day) – October 12
This celebration traditionally commemorated the arrival of Columbus,
but is now an effort to celebrate the Hispanic heritage of the Americas
and the multicultural heritage of everyone that contributed to it.
Eve of All Souls Day
Residents bring flowers and candles to the graves of loved ones on the
eve of October 31, all over the Yucatan Peninsula.
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November
Día de los Muertos
(Day of the Dead) – November 1 - 2
Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, All Saints Day is honoured by Mexican
citizens who visit the graves of their loved ones for a graveside picnic
that become all-night fiestas. Various festivals are held in the Cancun
area.
International Gastronomic
Festival - November 1 - 17
Taste cuisine from around the world at Cancun's cooking event in paradise.
Movie Festival
Enjoy an international gathering of cinema enthusiasts and screenings
of the world’s best independent new films, during the month of
November.
World Cup Triathlon
Watch international contestants compete in swimming, running and biking
events at Langosta Beach, during the first week in November.
Festival de "Música
por la Tierra" (Festival of the Music of the
Land) - November 4-7
This music festival features top performing groups coming together in
a multi-day concert to support protection of the natural environment
(Playa Ballenas). 
International Caribbean
Cultural Festival – mid November
This festival is hosted by the state of Quintana Roo and has several
events taking place in Cancun. Performers came from all over the Caribbean
offering salsa music, poetry and song.
Día de la Revolución
(Revolution Day) – November 20
Celebrate the Mexican Revolution of 1910 with parades, speeches and ceremonies.
Banks, stores, offices and schools are closed.
Fiesta of Isla Mujeres – November
29 - December 8
Honors the island's patron saint, as members of various guilds stage
processions, dances, and bullfights.
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December
Fiesta of Isla Mujeres – November
29 - December 8
Honors the island's patron saint, as members of various guilds stage
processions, dances, and bullfights.
Festival of the Immaculate
Conception – December 3 – 9
This six day observance honouring the Immaculate Conception takes places
in villages and towns throughout Quintana Roo. Festivities include music,
processions, fireworks and bullfights.
Festival of Our Lady
of Guadalupe – December 1 - 12
One of the most religious holidays in Mexico. Pilgrims from all over
the country make their way to Mexico City to the Basilica of the Madonna
of Guadalupe. Those who don’t make the pilgrimage celebrate with
a procession and mass in the local villages. Music and carnivals take
place after the mass. Cozumel comes alive during these twelve day festivities.
Winter Solstice – December
21
The north and east sides of El Castillo are in total shadow while the
south and west are in daylight. Check out the local ruins at Chichen
Itza for this event tied into the Maya astrological calendar.
Navidad (Christmas Week) – December
16 - 25
This is a period called the “posada,” or procession when
the residents celebrate the season with a variety of street fairs, piñata
breaking, passion plays called “pastorelas,” and a feast
in honour of the Virgin de la Soledad.
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