See the celebrations and festivals in Mexican traditions and plan ahead to visit, send gifts or send money transfers.
Mexico is characterized by its celebrations and festivals. Annual celebrations and festivals are the best way to immerse yourself in local culture. Check out some less well-known festivals, and plan ahead—whether you want to travel for the event or send gifts or gift money to family or friends in Mexico.
Mexican Celebrations & Festivals
Quinceañera
A quinceañera, or quince (Spanish for 15), is a large family celebration signifying a young lady’s journey from childhood to womanhood. Quinceañeras are very religious and a huge part of Latin culture. Families often spend more on quinceañeras than weddings, often referring to them as mini bodas, mini weddings. Similar to weddings, the celebration can range from intimate home gatherings to more formal black-tie events with the whole community.
Similar to Bat/Bar Mitzvah, or confirmations, quinceañeras are equal parts religious rite-of-passage and a social celebration. Before the party, there is generally a mass at the young woman’s church, after which she is accompanied by her damas (maids of honor) and chambelánes (chamberlains) known as her court of honor. The basic reception includes a formal entry, formal toast, the first dance (a father and daughter waltz), the family dance, the preferred song, and the general dance. Symbolic actions or gestures, such as the ceremony of the change of shoes, the crowning, and the ceremony of the last doll, take place before the dinner.
Some girls choose a trip abroad instead of a party or choose to celebrate in a more traditional manner. Traditionally, the quince signified the girl was prepared for marriage, especially in rural areas, but the more modern celebrations signify the beginning of formal dating.
Carnaval
Not one to pass up a fiesta, around 225 Mexican communities celebrate Carnaval. Major cities Mazatlán and Veracruz host two of the biggest Carnaval celebrations in Mexico. Mazatlán, which has been celebrating Carnaval since 1898, features two parades, a street party, two food festivals, a selection of the royal court, and concerts. Veracruz’s event lasts nine days, featuring salsa music and six major parades. The dates of Carnaval vary, as it is held six weeks prior to Easter. Plan ahead for the next two years and you can visit the Veracruz celebration one year and Mazatlán’s the next year:
- 2023 – February 15 to 21
- 2024 – February 7 to 13
Spring Equinox
Thousands of locals and visitors decked out in white gather at the Teotihuacan Pyramids to welcome the Spring Equinox. It’s the moment the sun crosses the equator, which marks the beginning of spring, generally occurring on March 20th or 21st. If you want to participate in the ritual, get ready to climb 360 steps to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, raise your arms facing the sun, and embrace the spiritual energy from the sun. You’ll need that energy to go back down the 360 steps!
Both of these sites were built according to incredibly specific astronomical observations, which is remarkable as the Mayans did not have access to the wealth of tools we have today.
Guelaguetza Festival
Oaxaca City’s annual folklore festival on two Mondays in July is truly a spectacle to behold and should definitely go on your bucket list. The word “Guelaguetza,” from the Zapotec language, means “reciprocal exchanges of gifts and services.” Dancers from all seven regions of Oaxaca gather in the capital’s hilltop amphitheater dressed in elaborate and traditional outfits to perform popular dances. They bring gifts from their respective regions and throw them to the crowd. Tickets for this festival often sell out a while in advance ($100USD to sit close to the auditorium stage).
Each year a young woman for one of each of the communities of the Oaxaca state is chosen to represent Centeotl, the corn goddess. She is chosen based on her knowledge of her community’s traditions rather than based on beauty.
Make sure to have some pesos on hand when visiting this festival to enjoy the mescal fair, delicious cuisine, and purchase artisanal items for sale. Enjoy having the freedom of having the money you need, when you need it by using the WU app. Send yourself money to your destination before you travel – no worrying about making sure to exchange your money ahead of time. Western Union makes it quick, easy, and reliable!
Huamantla Fair, Feria de Huamantla
This fair runs from July 31st to August 21st and pays homage to Xochiquetzal, the goddess of love, flowers, and arts. Tapetes (carpets) are created from colored sawdust, flowers, and other materials, and cover approximately 7km. Each floral carpet consists of at least six colors and none are exactly the same. Once all tapetes are completed, they are admired by onlookers leading to the main church until about 11 p.m. A young woman, chosen to represent the patron saint The Virgin of Charity, leads a procession over the tapetes to the church. The procession can take until 7:30 a.m. and is accompanied by fireworks, singing, and prayers, followed by a mass. This night is known as La Noche que nadie duerme (The Night When Nobody Sleeps) and is a tradition that’s over 130 years old.
Independence Day – El Grito de Independencia
Mexico’s Independence Day is often confused with Cinco de Mayo, but the actual date of independence is September 16th. In 1810, priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bell in his Catholic church to call upon parishioners to drive out the Spanish.
Public buildings, offices, and houses are decorated with the colors of the Mexican flag for the entire month of September. Mexicans enjoy traditional foods—such as pozole, mariachi concerts, and colorful parades on this day—and most cities celebrate with fireworks. The president of Mexico participates in ringing the same (over 200-year-old) bell that was rung on the same date in 1810.
Celebrating from Afar
If you have family or other loved ones in Mexico, you can help them celebrate any of these events by gifting money through Western Union. Money transfers are quick, easy and reliable, whether you use the Western Union mobile app, our website or one of our retail locations.
