MEXICO · COUNTRY GUIDE
Mexico Festivals and Events: A Calendar for 2027
A festival can be the best part of a trip to Mexico or the reason your hotel costs three times as much. Either way, you want to know the dates before you book.
The short answer: Day of the Dead, at the start of November, is the one to plan a trip around. Guelaguetza in Oaxaca is the best choice in summer. Holy Week brings the highest domestic demand, so book early or avoid the beach resorts.
Calendar for 2027
| Date | Event | Where | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Nationwide | Public holiday |
| 1 February | Constitution Day (observed) | Nationwide | Public holiday |
| 4 to 9 February* | Carnival | Mazatlán, Veracruz and others | Parades and street parties |
| 15 March | Benito Juárez's birthday (observed) | Nationwide | Public holiday |
| 21 to 28 March | Holy Week | Nationwide | Processions; resorts are very busy |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Nationwide | Public holiday |
| 19 and 26 July* | Guelaguetza | Oaxaca City | Dance from across the state |
| August to mid-September | Chiles en nogada season | Puebla and central Mexico | Seasonal dish |
| 15 and 16 September | Independence Day | Nationwide | “El Grito” on the evening of the 15th, parade on the 16th |
| October (check dates) | Festival Cervantino | Guanajuato | Major arts festival |
| 31 October to 2 November | Day of the Dead | Nationwide | Altars, cemeteries, parades |
| 15 November | Revolution Day (observed) | Nationwide | Public holiday |
| 12 December | Our Lady of Guadalupe | Nationwide, especially Mexico City | Mass pilgrimage; not a statutory holiday |
| 16 to 24 December | Las Posadas | Nationwide | Nightly processions |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Nationwide | Public holiday |
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead is traditionally marked on 1 and 2 November, though some places begin on 31 October or carry on later. UNESCO inscribed the tradition in 2008. It is not a Mexican Halloween. Families clean graves, build altars and share food with the people they have lost.
The best-known places are Pátzcuaro and Janitzio in Michoacán, where boats and candles are the central image, and Oaxaca. Mexico City has held a large parade along Paseo de la Reforma in recent years, and a guided Day of the Dead tour can help you see the customs with some context. Check Michoacán's safety advice, and be respectful in cemeteries: you are a guest at a family occasion.
Guelaguetza, Oaxaca
Since 1969 the Guelaguetza has usually been held on the two Mondays following 16 July, with delegations from across the state of Oaxaca performing traditional dances. That rule makes 19 and 26 July 2027 the likely dates. Book accommodation months ahead, because Oaxaca City fills up completely.
Other Festivals Worth Planning Around
Carnival in Mazatlán runs from Thursday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and Veracruz's lasts nine days. Independence begins on the evening of 15 September, when crowds gather in main squares. The Festival Cervantino brings performers from around the world to Guanajuato each autumn. Our Lady of Guadalupe draws huge crowds to the Basilica in Mexico City on 12 December.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Day of the Dead in Mexico?
Mainly 1 and 2 November, with some places starting on 31 October.
Where is the best place to experience Day of the Dead?
Pátzcuaro and Oaxaca are the most traditional. Mexico City has the largest parade.
When is the Guelaguetza in 2027?
Under its usual rule, 19 and 26 July. Confirm the official dates closer to the time.
What is the biggest holiday in Mexico?
Christmas and Holy Week bring the most travel, while Independence and Day of the Dead are the most distinctive.
Sources and Planning Checks
Facts were checked on 8 November 2026. UNESCO details come from the Representative List. Public holidays and festival rules come from Wikipedia's reference pages. Guelaguetza, Carnival and observed-holiday dates for 2027 are calculated from the usual rules, not official announcements. Exact Cervantino dates for 2027 were not available. Some links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.