Mexico City Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Semana Santa

During the week of Easter the otherwise ordinary Iztapala district, nine kilometres East of the city centre, becomes the centre of Easter celebrations. It is believed the Semana Santa celebrations were first performed here in 1833, when the few remaining survivors of a cholera epidemic, recreated the death of Jesus to offer thanks for their lives.

The day is planned for months prior to Easter, with the whole community participating by dressing up and recreating the series of events that saw Jesus crucified at the hands of the Romans. An actor is chosen to play Jesus, a role that cannot be taken lightly. He will be paraded in front of thousands of people, actually whipped, made to carry a heavy cross 4 kilometres to where he will be crucified. The actor is visibly put through a lot of stress, making it very emotional.

Christmas and Dia de los Reyes Magos / Three Kings Day

The days surrounding Christmas are jovial in Alameda Park, with street stalls, performances, and squadrons of kids doing what kids who celebrate Christmas everywhere do around that season, go wild. There are Nativity scenes and South Pole recreations where Santa Clauses rule.

Traditionally Mexicans believe January 6th was the day when Baby Jesus received the gifts from the Three Kings. Not so much these days, but it used to be the day children received their presents, and today King look-a-likes still roam the area.

Festival of the Historic Centre

For more than 20 years the Historic Centre has hosted a two week celebration, which draws top Mexican and Latin American acts, along with many exhibits and dinner bashes. Many genres are presented, ranging from opera, ballet, and chamber orchestras, to Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Rock, all performing with the backdrop of colonial Mexico. Check website for dates and performances - www.fchmexico.com - details in Spanish.

Labor Day / Día del Trabajo

Mexicans have commemorated Labor Day since the end of the Mexican revolution in 1910. People march every year in the Historic Centre to defend workers rights, including associations of teachers, firefighters, and construction workers. To see the parades be around the Zócalo mid morning. Warning: As the city closes down except for the traffic, it can be a nightmare of a day to get around.

Mexican Independence Day / Día de la Independencia

Independence Day all over Mexico brings crowds to every major plaza, to help re-enact events that were played out in 1810 by father Hidalgo in the town of Dolores. As Mexico City has the largest Plaza in Mexico, it hosts the largest celebrations. People cram the Zócalo in the Historic Centre awaiting 11pm. At this time, just like Hidalgo did two centuries ago, the President tolls the Hidalgos bell, and recites the El Grito, a cry for liberty, culminating in everyone echoing "Viva Mexico."

Mexico City becomes a sea of Nationalistic Red, White and Green, as flags adorn houses, monuments to past heroes are decorated and balloons are given away to children. Street stalls are everywhere, and the smell of frying foods wafts throughout the city. Sombreros and Mariachis are the order of the day, and fireworks light the night sky. Also check out the colourful Paseo de Forma.

The Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead is a day to cherish the memory of those who have passed on. Mexicans celebrate the day with varying intensity, from displaying cardboard cut-outs of skeletons, and other pieces not dissimilar to Halloween, to building altars covered in Marigolds, and holding vigils at grave sites. An area in the Southern part of Mexico City is known for the later rituals. Here, houses are opened up for all to see altars erected for ancestors, and families gather at the grave sites of loved ones. They continue their vigil well into the early hours of the following day amongst candles, burning incense, and tolling bells.

Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mexico's passion for its National Patron is acted out feverishly before the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, from the 3rd day of December, to the Guadalupe feast day on the 12th. As the days approach the 12th, the grounds around the Basilica, welcome more and more pilgrims, numbering in the millions. Indigenous groups flock to the site on the final two days, to perform a marathon of traditional dances in honour of the Virgin de Guadalupe. Expect it to be crowded, and bring plenty of water.