Holidays and Fiestas

Statutory Holidays are official days established by congress and observed nationally. Banks, government offices and most business will be closed. Employees are entitled to a day off with regular pay.  If an employee is required to work on these days, extra pay is required by law.  When a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on Monday; if a statutory holiday falls on Saturday, the holiday will be observed on Friday.

Date

Spanish Name

English Name

Notes

January 1

Año Nuevo

New Year's Day

 

February 5

Día de la Constitución

Constitution Day

 

3rd Monday in March

Natalicio de Benito Juárez

Benito Juárez's birthday

Commemorates President Benito Juárez's birthday on March 21, 1806

May 1

Día del Trabajo

Labor Day

 

September 16

Día de Independencia

Independence Day

Commemorates the start of the  War of Independence from Spain in 1810

3rd Monday in November

Revolution Day

Día de la Revolución

Commemorates the start of the Mexican Revolution (Civil War)  November 20, 1910  

December 1 every 6 years

Transmisión del Poder Ejecutivo Federal

Presidential Inauguration

When a new President is sworn into office (in years whose last two digits are devisable by 6. -- 2006, 2012, 2018, etc).

December 25

Navidad

Christmas

 

Civic Holidays holidays are observed nationally but are not official holidays.  Banks, government offices and most business will be open. Employees are not entitled to a day-off. (abbreviated list)

Date

Spanish Name

English Name

Notes

February 19

Día del Ejército

Army Day

 

February 24

Día de la Bandera

Flag Day

 

April 21

Heroica Defensa de Veracruz

Heroic Defense of Veracruz

Commemorates the defense against the United States occupation of Veracruz in 1914.

May 5

Cinco de Mayo

May Fifth

Celebrates the victory of the Mexican Army over French forces in the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  It is a minor holiday in most of México, but it has become a major event in the USA.

October 12

Descubrimiento de América

Columbus Day

 

Fiestas are traditional holidays to honor religious events or public celebrations. Workers are not entitled to days off for these days.  Traditionally on Good Friday and Easter, many business will be closed. 
(abbreviated list)

Date

Spanish Name

English Name

Notes

January 6

Día de los Santos Reyes

Epiphany

 

February 14

Día de San Valentín

Valentine Day

 

May 10

Día de las Madres

Mother's Day

 

3rd Sunday
in June

Día del Padre

Father's Day

 

November 1

El Día de los Muertos also called Día de Todos los Santos

Day of the Dead also called All Saints' Day

Honors dead relatives and/or friends who were less than 18 years of age and unmarried

November 2

El Día de los Muertos  also called Día de los Fieles Difuntos

Day of the Dead also called All Souls' Day

Honors dead relatives and/or friends who were more than 18 years of age or married.

December 12

Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe

Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

 

December
16-24

Posadas

Posada

Honors the search of Joseph and Mary for lodging.

December 24

Nochebuena

Christmas Eve

The main evening for the calibration of Christmas

December 28

Día de los Santos Innocentes

Day of the Innocents

Similar to April Fools' Day in the USA

In Addition to these national days, each city, state or region may have its own special holidays.

 

 

 

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