PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Mexico's frequent fiestas are highly colorful affairs that often go on for several days and add much spice to life. There's a major national holiday or celebration almost every month, to which each town adds nearly as many local saints' days, fairs, arts festivals and so on.

Christmas New Year and Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter, are the chief Mexican holiday periods. If you're traveling at either time, try to book transport and accommodations in advance. March 21 Dia de Nacimiento de Benito Juarez anniversary of Benito Juarez's birth

May 5

Anniversary of Mexico's 1862 victory over the French at Puebla, celebrated grandly in Puebla

September 16

Memory of Mexico's war for independence from Spain the biggest celebrations are in Mexico City, the evening before.

October 12

Commemorating Columbus' discovery of the New World and the founding of the Mexican (mestizo) people

November 20

Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910

December 25

Dia de Navidad-Christmas Day; the Christmas feast traditionally takes place in the early hours of December 25, after midnight mass.