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8th The Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepción
de la Virgen María)
Hundreds of pilgrims visit the sanctuaries dedicated to the Virgin
during this day. Everyone bears candles and floral offerings which
are deposited at the altar. The Virgin Mary is also honoured on
the 12th of December, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
- patroness of Mexico. Pilgrims from around the country converge
at the famous basilica in Mexico City, where the revered shroud
displaying the image of the Virgin is held. The Virgin appeared
to a Mexican Native, Juan Diego, in 1531, asking him to build a
church for her on Tepeyac hill. She asked Diego to pick some roses
and give them to the bishop when conveying the Virgin’s request.
Diego carried the roses in his cloak, and when he got to the bishop
and let the roses spill out in front of him, a wonderful image of
the Virgin was emblazoned in the shroud.
Special celebrations are held in Puerto Vallarta, and in San Cristobal
las Casas, where the Virgin is honoured in a uniquely Chiapan way
as Tzotzil and Tzeltal Indians dress in traditional costumes to
pay their respects to Guadalupe. The festivity include special masses,
fireworks, processions, and parades with Marimba music.
19th to 21st Oxchuc, Chiapas - Festival in honor of Santo
Tomás Apostol
This is the only fiesta celebrated by the Indians of this village,
of Tzeltal. During the celebration the inhabitants of the village
dress up in colorfully designed, fibre tunics and perform dances.
23rd Oaxaca - Night of the Radishes (Fiesta de los Rabanos)
The city of Oaxaca, capital of modern and contemporary art, organizes
this unusual fiesta of sculpture. Everything from flowers and animals
to saints and nativity scenes are carved from the local radishes,
often decorated with flowers, and there are contests and prizes
for the most original arrangements. The Zocalo is filled with stalls
and there is music, traditional dancing and piñata prizes
before the event ends with a huge fireworks display. But let’s
not forget that one of Oaxaca’s best arts is its traditional
cuisine: the specialty of the day are the buñuelos: deep-fried
doughnuts drenched in syrup. After eating them, people are expected
to throw their plate over their shoulder; their fortune for the
coming year can be read in the broken shards.
Nine days leading up to Christmas Day (Posadas de Navidad)
Nine consecutive days of candlelight processions and lively parties
re-enacting Mary & Joseph's search for an inn in Bethlehem precede
the Christmas festivity. Every night the local communities arrange
a party in a home, with plenty of food and drink, and candies and
fruit for the children, who travel from door to door in the neighbourhood
in traditional costume singing carols, requesting a place to stay
for the night. When they finally get to the designated house, they
are let in and the party begins with the breaking of piñatas,
Christmas carols, buñuelos (fried pastries covered with syrup
or sugar), tamales, hot chocolate and ponche (fruit punch).
Note for the traveller: Christmas in Mexico is a big event and Mexicans
travel a lot from mid December until the Epiphany. This is definitely
not the best period for last minute travel particularly if you have
not booked in advance. Prices for accommodation and general entertainment
can increase of the 30-40%
31st New Year's Eve Mexico City's Zocalo
With its amazing lights and decorations, Zocalo is a theatre of
colours, music, and dances, and parties go on all night long. As
tradition requires the filling of empty egg shells with confetti
and colourful liquid, wearing your best clothes is not recommended.
Parties are held in many other squares all around the country, with
fireworks and plenty of noise. Just before midnight church and clock
bells toll twelve times, and people eat one grape making a wish
for the New Year on each of the twelve strikes.
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JANUARY