Mexico's Public Holidays

Depending on what you wish to experience, traveling in Mexico during a public holiday can be either good or bad. It can be a wonderful, enjoyable experience, to see how another culture celebrates certain holidays, or a person can find it to be a great inconvenience when businesses close for a time and services become inaccessible. Although your travel plans may have to change momentarily, the main thing is to learn to go with the flow, and allow your flexibility to just take things as they come. This way you can enjoy the experience if you forgot to plan ahead and factor in the holidays of your target region.

January 1st, like most other nations around the globe, celebrate this day as the initial public holiday of the year. Referred to as Ano Nuevo, the Mexican celebration of New Year's Day are quite a lot of fun and definitely an occasion to observe and enjoy. The next major holiday in Mexico is in early February, Constitution Day or Dia de la Constitucion. The promulgation of two Constitutions (1857 and 1917), is commemorated on this day by Mexicans. Constitution Day is always the first Monday of every February and quite a significant day for Mexicans. Two more public holidays occur in Mexico in February on the 19th and 24th. The 19th of the month is a day for the military, to celebrate loyalty; while the 24th is Flag Day.

On the third Monday of each March, Mexicans commemorate the birthday of President Benito Juarez; one of the peoples favourite and most successful leaders. On April 21st the entire nation remembers the historic day when an "heroic defence of Veracruz" was taken up against the American occupation. Obviously the event is more prevalent in Veracruz, but it is a civic holiday throughout Mexico. The Mexican workers' union and its strength over the last hundred years, is taken into account on Labor Day (May 1st).

Of course by now we all know about May 5th, Cinco de Mayo. Most people outside of Mexico are not aware that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the victory the Mexican Army held over a French invasion in 1862. It's a rather token event to commemorate, when taken in the context of the past centuries of Mexican history. Yet marketing plans by liquor companies have turned the whole fifth of May into as big a celebration as Independence Day, outlined below.

The iconic Miguel Hidalgo kicked off the Mexican War of Independence September 16th, 1810, and this day has now become their most important holiday. Independence Day is celebrated much like July 4th in the US (Independence Day) and July 1st in Canada (Canada Day) - with fanfare and national pride.

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