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January
Mayan Village Show
Enjoy recreations of ancient Mayan festivals, including
a jungle walk and celebration of the discovery of fire,
throughout the month of January, at Xcaret Park.
Epiphany
During the first week in January, local restaurants serve
a cake called Rosca de Reyes which is baked with one small
doll inside. The lucky recipient must invite everyone
at the table to hot chocolate and tamales served in February
during Candlemas.
February
Candlemas
During the first week of February, the end of the Christmas
season is marked with the Candlemas celebration in homes
and at local restaurants, involving a meal of tamales
and hot chocolate.
Constitution Day
Speeches and ceremonies commemorating this National Holiday,
on February 5.
Dia de la Bandera (Flag Day)
In mid-February, the streets are filled with Mexican flag
vendors, and on February 24 everyone places a flag on
their cars while children present a commemorative ceremony.
March
Carnival
During the first half of March, Cancun celebrates its
version of this pre-Ash Wednesday event, with floats,
street parties with local food and drinks, and a variety
of events, all over town.
Benito Juarez's Birthday
National Holiday honoring president and leader of the
19th-Century Reform movement, on March 21.
Vernal Equinox
Visitors come to the main temple at Chichen Itza in late
March to see the descent of the serpent Kukulkan. History
has it that the Maya constructed the temple in a way that
during equinox a beam of sunlight creates a shadow moving
down towards earth resembling a slithering snake.
Lasser Sailing Show
During the last half of March, the waters around Cancun
are filled with sailing vessels of all description.
April
Holy Week and Easter
Celebrations and processions in observance of Christ's
resurrection, during the Easter holiday.
Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun
Residents celebrate the origin of their city throughout
the downtown area with parades and street parties, throughout
the downtown area.
Sol
a Sol International Regatta (late April)
This
sailboat regatta departs from St. Petersburg, Florida
to Isla Mujeres. This event brings regional dances and
a general air of festivity to Cancun and Isla Mujeres.
May
Cinco de Mayo
National holiday commemorating Mexico's defeat of the
French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, on May 5.
Cancun Jazz Festival
Come to the Parque de las Palapas and the area around
the Convention Center for live performances from the best
jazz musicians in the world, during Memorial Day weekend.
An annual event since 1991, this festival has featured
such top musicians as Wynton Marsalis and Gato Barbieri..
International Gay Festival
Enjoy food, music, mariachi bands, a cruise of the Caribbean,
assorted parties and a final champagne breakfast, during
a weekend in May.
June
Caribbean Hotel International Congress
During the last week of June the annual meeting of Caribbean
hotel proprietors, part of which is open to the public,
brings with it an exposition of various foods and services
offered throughout the area.
July
Feast of Our Lady of Carmen
The port town of Ciudad del Carmen hosts an annual regional
fair which includes bullfighting and livestock exhibitions,
sporting events, plenty of food, drinking and dancing,
in mid-July.
August
Xel-Ha
August is the perfect month in which to visit the Xel-Ha
tropical water park, where you can explore the forest
and waterscapes of the Yucatan Peninsula.
September
Independence Day
In the middle of September, Cancun residents celebrate
the liberation of Mexico by Padre Miguel Hidalgo, on El
Grito, or the “Shout” Day, with festivities
all over the downtown and Isla de Mujeres areas.
Autumnal Equinox
Take a side trip to the famous Mayan pyramid of Chichen
Itza, and marvel at the famous sunset optical illusion
when shadows zig zag their way to the stone carving of
the serpent Kukulkan, around the third week of September.
October
Mexican Caribbean Travel Mart
During the first week in October, the Cancun Travel Agent
Association and the Cancun Hotel Association hold their
annual convention, part of which is open to the public,
and showcase food and services offered in the area.
ITU
Triathlon World Cup
Two separate races to be held. The Aquathlon World Championships
(2.5 km. run, 1 km swim, 2.5 km run) and the ITU Team
time trial: Triathlon world championships (750 m swim,
20 km bike, 5km run). Over $50,000 in prizes, these races
are sanctioned by official ITU regulations. For more information,
please see www.maadsports.com
Eve of All Souls Day
Residents bring flowers and candles to the graves of loved
ones on the eve of October 31, all over the Yucatan Peninsula.
November
All Souls Day; Day of the Dead
Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, families enjoy a traditional
meal at the graves of loved ones, and various festivals
are held in the area, during the first two days in November.
Festival de "Música por la Tierra" (Nov
4-7)
The
Festival of "Music of the Land" features top
performing groups coming together in a multi-day concert
to support protection of the natural environment (Playa
Ballenas).
World
Cup Triathlon
Watch international contestants compete in swimming, running
and biking events at Langosta Beach, during the first
week in November.
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
Celebrate the Mexican Revolution of 1910 with parades,
speeches and ceremonies, on November 20.
December
Guadalupe's
Day (Dec. 12)
One of the most important religious celebrations in Mexico.
95% of the Mexicans are catholic and on that day you can
see pilgrimages in the hotel zone going to the church
dedicated to our lady of Guadalupe located in downtown.
It is not an official holiday, all the services works
normally.
Cancun
Marathon (mid-Dec.)
Begins on Kukulkan Blvd.
Christmas Holiday
Starting nine days before Christmas and concluding after
the new year, a period called the “posada,”
or procession, the residents celebrate the season with
a variety of street fairs, piñata breaking, passion
plays called “pastorelas,” and a feast in honor
of the Virgen de la Soledad.
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