Fun and festivities in Mexico - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Mexico is incredibly rich in holidays, both public and unofficial. It may seem that people are celebrating all year round here. From December 16th to 24th, there is “Las Posadas” holiday combining the traditions of Spanish Catholics and Aztecs. The latter honored the sun god Huītzilōpōchtli these days, while the Catholic holiday marks the nine-day journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. On each of these nights, a little boy and girl dressed like Joseph and Maria ride a donkey through the streets, knocking on the doors with a song but chased away according to the tradition. When children find a hospitable home, a holiday feast is arranged. Fruit punch is very popular during this period.

Christmas is celebrated on the night of December 25th. Huge richly decorated Christmas trees are put up on the main squares of Mexican cities. Mexicans dress their home trees, gather with their families at a festive table, and then go out to celebrate on the streets where fireworks are launched. Everywhere you can see red spurge flowers. December 28 is the Day of the Holy Innocents very similar to April Fools' Day. On this day, you cannot believe a word other people say, and naive "victims" of jokes are usually called "innocent doves".

Mexicans start celebrating New Year on December 31 and continue on January 1. On the morning of December 31, locals clean their homes and sweep dirt out of the door, symbolizing a farewell to all the bad things that happened in the past year. Lentils are hung on the door to attract wealth. With the evening approaching, celebrants turn on the lights in each room of their houses, which symbolizes light beginnings of the coming year. Then all sit down at a table with lit candles put among a variety of dishes. When the clock strikes, it is customary to eat one grape with every stroke. People hoping for a promotion at work should stand on a chair. To attract money, many people put coins in their shoes or lottery tickets in their wallets. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

On Epiphany, also known as Three Kings' Day, January 6, locals eat Rosca de Reyes. This is a festive sweet bread baked with a figurine of the Christ child inside. The one who gets this figurine with a piece of bread is considered blessed; now he/she must invite others to dinner. This bread is usually baked at home, but it can also be found in some stores. Constitution Day falls on the first Monday of February, celebrating the adoption of the Constitution in 1917. Parades with marches and orchestras are held all over the country, in large cities buildings are decorated with green and red flags. Many shops are closed on this day.

Love and Friendship Day is celebrated on February 14. As the name suggests, on February 14, Mexicans pay attention not only to lovers but also friends. To this day, many shops, cafes and other places are decorated in red: with flags, balloons, flowers, hearts. Lots of flowers and chocolate are sold. In the evening, many men come to their ladies' windows with a trio of traditional musicians wearing sombreros and singing love songs with them. The following special days are not public holidays but celebrated by Mexicans: April 30 - Children's Day, May 10 - Mother's Day, May 15 - Teacher's Day, May 23 - Students' Day, the third Sunday of June - Father's Day.

Halloween is celebrated on October 30. People dress up in ghosts and monsters and enjoy sweets. The world-famous All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1. It is believed that on this day the souls of dead children come to the world of the living, and on November 2, on the equally popular Day of the Dead, adults' souls return to our world. On November 1, Mexicans groom children's graves, decorating them with flowers and candles. At the end of October, sweets and other goods in the shape of skulls, coffins, skeletons and other symbols of death are sold in stores. Sweet painted skulls are especially popular. On November 2, people decorate graves of adults, organize parties with national dishes. In many houses, altars with candles, photographs, and food in memory of the dead are arranged.

Music festivals are very popular in Mexico. Corona Capital is an annual rock festival in Mexico City attracting performers from different countries. In 2017, such bands as Green Day and Foo Fighters played at the festival. Hell & Heaven Metal Fest is held every spring or autumn in the capital. Jazz fans should not ignore Riviera Maya Jazz Festival held in Playa del Carmen every November. Those wishing to listen to folk music are recommended Guelaguetza taking place in July in Oaxaca where traditionally dressed people dance, sing, and enjoy Mexican food.