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1st Labor Day (Día del Trabajo) - National holiday
Political and labour marches with official speeches are organized
nationwide, especially in the main cities. Businesses and offices
are all closed.
3rd Holy Cross Day (Día de la Santa Cruz)
Buildings under construction are decorated by construction workers
placing crosses made by coloured papers & flowers. Picnics and
fireworks follow celebrating this day dedicated to masons &
builders.
1st to 19th Morelia, Michoacan - The Michoacan State Fair
Features Mexican crafts and agriculture from around the state of
Michoacan as well as dancing, music, local foods and parties.
5th May - Cinco de Mayo
This marks the renowned holiday commonly referred to as Cinco de
Mayo, or the Battle of Puebla. Contrary to popular belief, this
day does not celebrate Mexican independence, but instead the triumph
of a small group of soldiers who successfully defeated a French
battalion twice its size near the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Cinco de Mayo honours this defeat, and commemorates its role in
the overthrow of the Mexican Imperial Monarchy.
This holiday is celebrated throughout the country, but of course
Puebla is the place to go for enjoying the most spectacular fiesta.
When parades start moving, the first band starts a lively marching
tune. Marchers dressed as French and Mexican generals lead the way
with soldiers following, armed like the original freedom fighters
with machetes and old-fashioned rifles. Some of them wearing skirts
and flowery hats represent the women (soldaderos) who traveled with
the army to cook and care for the men. Those portraying French soldiers
carry knapsacks with wine bottles sticking out of them. At mid-afternoon
the "battle" begins in the plaza. Rifles and cannon roar,
there is much smoke and shouting, and at nightfall, the Mexican
and French generals meet face-to-face for a sword battle. The Mexican
general, of course, wins. The fiesta also includes speeches by government
officials, lively dances and games, mariachi music, traditional
foods, bullfights, and colorful decorations. At night there are
pinatas for the children and the celebration ends with beautiful
displays of fireworks.
10th Mother's Day (Dia de las Madres)
Due to the importance of mothers in Mexican culture, Mother's Day
is an especially significant holiday. Many local people take a half
day off when they can take their mother out to celebrate their special
day.
3rd to 15th Tepic, Nayarit - Day of Saint Isidro (Día de
San Isidro Labrador)
Tepic, which means “hard stone”, celebrates the patron
saint of rain, agriculture and livestock with a traditional blessing
of seeds, animals, and water. In this period a commercial fair and
cultural events take place in the area.
20th Monterrey - Agricultural and Commercial Fair
An annual fair takes place in the third most important city in the
country, with typical products of the region on sale, bullfights,
horseracing and local dances.
1st to 31st 2008 - Cancun Jazz Festival
The Cancun Jazz Festival began in 1991 and has been successfully
drawing crowds of jazz and sun lovers ever since. Boasting all types
of jazz - from traditional to contemporary, Afro-Latin to Cuban
- its following is mostly African-American; however it does attract
a huge selection of people from around the world and of all ages.
If you're a jazz fan, Cancun is the place to go during the month
of May. Whether you want to club hop and be seen, or mellow out
to jazzy tunes played by some of the best, Cancun is the place!
Day and night the streets are packed, and the party is where ever
you are: from the club district to the beach.
13th to 16th 2008 - Acapulco Boat Show
Acapulco hosts its second Boat Show, now the most important nautical
event in Mexico. All the main players in the field are expected
to be at the Acapulco Yacht Club, from boat and sport fishing equipment
manufacturers to marine service suppliers, pleasure boat owners
and those interested in buying new boats.
21st to June 6th Tequisquiapan, Queretaro - International
Wine and Cheese Festival
The annual 'Queso y Vino' Festival brings together wine and cheese
producers from all over the country. Apart from wine and cheese
tasting, visitors will also enjoy regional cuisine, concerts, handicrafts
and other cultural events.
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JANUARY