Fiestas
JANUARY 6 DIA DE LOS SANTOS REYES (Twelfth Night). The Magi traditionally leave presents for children on this date: many small ceremonies include a fiesta with dancing at Nativitas (Distrito Federal), a suburb near Xochimilco, and at Malinalco (Mexico state). 17 BENDICION DE LOS ANIMALES. Children's pets and peasants' farm animals are taken to church to be blessed. A particularly bizarre sight at the Cathedral in Mexico and in Taxco (Guerrero), where it coincides with the fiestas of Santa Prisca (Jan 18) and San Sebastian (Jan 20). FEBRUARY 2 DIA DE LA CANDELARIA is widely celebrated, especially in Cuernavaca (Morelos). CARNIVAL (the week before Lent, variable Feb-March) is especially lively in Cuernavaca (Mor) and nearby Tepoztlan (Mor); also in Chiconcuac (Mex) on the way to Teotihuacan. In Xochimilco (DF), for some reason, they celebrate Carnival two weeks after everyone else. MARCH On the Sunday following March 9, a large feria with traditional dances is held at San Gregorio Atlapulco , near Xochimilco (DF). PALM SUNDAY (the week before Easter) sees a procession with palms in Taxco (Gro), where representations of the Passion continue through Holy Week. HOLY WEEK itself is observed everywhere. There are very famous passion plays in the suburb of Itzapalapa (DF), culminating on the Friday with a mock-crucifixion on the Cerro de la Estrella, and similar celebrations at Chalma (Mex) and nearby Malinalco . In Cholula (Puebla), with its host of churches, the processions pass over vast carpets of flowers. APRIL Cuernavaca's (Mor) flower festival, the FERIA DE LA FLOR, usually falls in early April. MAY 1 May Day, a public holiday, is usually marked by large marches and demonstrations in the capital. In Cuautla (Mor), the same day sees a fiesta commemorating an Independence battle. 3 DIA DE LA SANTA CRUZ is celebrated with fiestas, and traditional dancing, in Xochimilco (DF), in Tepotzotlan (Mex) and in Valle de Bravo (Mex). 5 Public holiday for the battle of Puebla - celebrated in Puebla (Pue) itself with a grand procession and re-enactment of the fighting. 15 DIA DE SAN ISIDRO. Religious processions and fireworks in Tenancingo (Mex), and a procession of farm animals through Cuernavaca (Mor) on their way to be blessed at the church. On the third Monday of May, there's a large religious festival in Tlaxcala (Tlax) as an image of the Virgin is processed around the town followed by hundreds of pilgrims. CORPUS CHRISTI (variable - the Thurs after Trinity). Thousands of children, rigged out in their Sunday best, gather in Mexico City's Zocalo to be blessed. JUNE 29 DIA DE SAN PEDRO observed with processions and dances in Tepotzotlan (Mex) and traditional dancing in San Pedro Actopan (DF), on the southern outskirts of Mexico City. JULY 16 DIA DE LA VIRGEN DEL CARMEN. Dancers, and a procession with flowers to the convent of Carmen, in San Angel (DF). 25 DIA DE SANTIAGO particularly celebrated in Chalco (Mex), on the way to Amecameca. The following Sunday sees a market and regional dances at the Plaza de las Tres Culturas (DF) and dances, too, in Xochimilco (DF). 29 DIA DE SANTA MARTA in Milpa Alta (DF), near Xochimilco, celebrated with Aztec dances and mock fights between Moors and Christians. AUGUST 13 Ceremonies in Mexico City commemorate the defence of Tenochtitlan, with events in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, around the statue of Cuauhtemoc on Reforma and in the Zocalo. 15 DIA DE LA ASUNCION (Assumption) honoured with pilgrimages from Cholula (Pue) to a nearby village, and ancient dances in Milpa Alta (DF). SEPTEMBER 1 Massed processions with fireworks and dances in honour of the Virgen de los Remedios in Cholula (Pue). 8 A very ancient ceremony in Tepoztlan (Mor), a Christianized version of homage to the Pyramid of Tepozteco, and more usual candlelit religious processions in Cuernavaca (Mor). 15-16 INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS everywhere, above all in the Zocalo in Mexico City , where the President proclaims the famous Grito at 11pm on the 15th, followed by the ringing of the Campana de Dolores and a huge firework display. 21 DIA DE SAN MATEO celebrated in Milpa Alta (DF). 29 DIA DE SAN MIGUEL provokes huge pilgrimages to both Taxco (Gro) and Chalma (Mex). OCTOBER 4 DIA DE SAN FRANCISCO sees a feria in Tenancingo (Mex), with much traditional music-making, and is also celebrated in San Francisco Tecoxpa (DF), a village on the southern fringes of the capital. 12 In Tlaxcala (Tlax), a fiesta centring around one of the ancient churches. NOVEMBER 1-2 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (All Souls) is observed by almost everyone, and the shops are full of chocolate skulls and other ghoulish foods. Tradition is particularly strong in San Lucas Xochimanca (DF) and Nativitas (DF), both to the south of Mexico City . First Monday following Dia de los Muertos. El Dia de Jumil in Taxco (Gro) where the townsfolk climb the Cerro de Huixteco to collect jumiles and celebrate this small grub. 22 DIA DE SANTA CECILIA. Santa Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians, and her fiesta attracts orchestras and mariachi bands from all over to Santa Cecilia Tepetlapa (DF), not far from Xochimilco. DECEMBER 1 FERIA DE LA PLATA. The great silver fair in Taxco (Gro) lasts about ten days from this date. 12 DIA DE NUESTRA SENORA DE GUADALUPE - a massive pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe (DF) runs for several days round about, combined with a constant secular celebration of music and dancing. CHRISTMAS. In the week leading up to Christmas, posadas - nativity plays - can be seen in many places. Among the most famous are those at Taxco (Gro) and Tepotzotlan (Mex).
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