Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen Area Calendar of Events
September 2008
Día de la Independencia Mexicana
November 2008
Día de los Muertos
December 2008
Las Posadas
Navidad/ Christmas holiday
January 2009
D? de Los Santos Reyes
February 2009
D? de la Candelaria or Candlemas
March - April 2009
Semana Santa
Mexican Independence Day
September 16
Celebrates the day that Miguel Hidalgo delivered El Grito de Dolores, and announced the Mexican revolt against Spanish rule.
Is a national holiday, the most important of the year. All cities and towns are decorated with mexican flags and "papel picado" which is paper of different colors, lights, and we eat mexican food but specialy "Chiles en Nogada" and "Pozole" that are delicious mexican dishes.
Día de los Muertos
November 1 - 2
An important Mexican holiday that merges Pre-Columbian beliefs and modern Catholocism. Europe's All Saints' Day and the Aztec worship of the dead contribute to these two days that honor Mexico's dead. In all cities and towns you see the "Altares" that are beatiful decorated to celebrate the reunion of dead relatives with their families. This all stems from the ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac and Otom? who believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives - to eat, drink and be merry. Just like they did when they were living. Definitely, Dia de Muertos is the most beautiful festivity of the year, in all Mexico.
D? de Nuestra Se?ra de Guadalupe
December 12
The day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated with a feast honoring Mexico's patron saint. In all the country are processions and from all over the country go to the Basilica of Guadalupe, in Mexico City.
Las Posadas
December 16
Celebrates Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem with candlelight processions that end at various nativity scenes. Las Posadas continues through January 6. During all this period we have pi?tas, mexican food, ponche and fiesta almost all days.
Navidad/ Christmas holiday
December 25
D? de Los Santos Reyes
January 6
The day when Mexicans exchange Christmas presents in accordance with the arrival of the three gift-bearing wisemen to Jesus Christ. This day culminates the Christmas time festivities.
D? de la Candelaria or Candlemas
February 2
Areligious holiday that is celebrated with processions, dancing, bullfights in certain cities, and the blessing of the seeds and candles.
It is a tradition that mexican families eat "tamales".
Semana Santa (dates change)
The holy week that ends the 40-day Lent period. This week includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is Mexican custom to break confetti-filled eggs over the heads of friends and family. We also have mexican food based on white meat specialy for this season.
