The Most Popular Holiday in Mexico, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the holiday you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:40
Determining the most popular holiday in Mexico can be quite beneficial for various reasons. For tourists, it provides insight into the country's rich cultural tapestry and helps in planning their visits to coincide with vibrant, celebratory events. For locals, it offers a reflective mirror on cultural preferences and trends, analyzing changing attitudes toward traditional and emerging holidays.
This list, where anyone can contribute their vote, serves as a dynamic census of popularity and significance of holidays as seen through the eyes of both residents and visitors of Mexico. Each vote helps refine the results, making the rankings a reliable resource for understanding what makes each holiday particularly resonant with people. As votes accumulate, the list will be updated, reflecting real-time shifts and preferences in the public sentiment.
What Is the Most Popular Holiday in Mexico?
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147votesThis is the most popular holiday in Mexico, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a vibrant and colorful festival celebrated annually in Mexico. It is a unique fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican beliefs and Catholic traditions. This multi-day celebration is dedicated to honoring and remembering deceased loved ones, who are believed to visit their families during this time.
- Dates: Celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd
- Altars: Elaborate altars are created in homes, adorned with photos, favorite foods, drinks, and belongings of the deceased
- Offerings: Families offer marigolds, sugar skulls, candles, incense, and their loved ones' favorite food and drinks at the altars and gravesites
- Calacas and Catrinas: Decorative skeletons (calacas) and elegant dressed-up skeletons (catrinas) are iconic symbols of the festival
- Sugar Skulls: Handcrafted sugar skulls are popular and represent individual deceased loved ones
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular festival in Mexico
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246votes
Francisco P. Miranda · Public domainThis holiday commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. It is celebrated with parades, festivals, and traditional food and drink.Cinco de Mayo is a popular celebration in Mexico that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The day is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, although it is recognized and observed to a lesser extent throughout Mexico and even in some parts of the United States. It has become an important cultural event that showcases Mexican heritage and pride.- Date: May 5, 1862 (Victory at the Battle of Puebla)
- Location: Primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, Mexico
- Meaning: Commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces
- Cultural Significance: Celebration of Mexican heritage and pride
- Recognition: Observed throughout Mexico and in some parts of the United States
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325votes
Las Posadas
Saint Ignatius of LoyolaThis holiday is a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas, reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. It includes candlelit processions, feasting, and singing.Las Posadas is a traditional Christmas celebration observed in Mexico. It is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.- Origin: 16th century Mexico
- Duration: December 16th to December 24th
- Participants: Communities, families, and friends
- Procession: People singing and walking with candles and images of Mary and Joseph
- Prayers: Recitation of specific prayers at each house
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420votesCelebrated on September 16th, Mexico's Independence Day marks the start of its fight for independence from Spain in 1810. It is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and patriotic speeches.Independence Day is an annual event celebrated in many countries to commemorate their independence from a colonial power or oppressive rule.
- Date: Varies in each country. For example, July 4th for the United States and August 15th for India.
- National Holiday: It is observed as a national holiday in the respective countries.
- Historical Significance: It marks the day when the country achieved self-governance and sovereignty.
- Symbolism: Independence Day often represents freedom, patriotism, and the resilience of a nation.
- Celebrations: Typically include flag hoisting, parades, fireworks, cultural events, and speeches by national leaders.
Independence Day in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular fun celebration in Panama
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular holiday in Bolivia
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular festival in Bangladesh
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514votesThis week-long celebration leading up to Easter includes religious processions, traditional food, and reenactments of important events from the Bible.Semana Santa, also known as Holy Week, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Mexico. It is a religious festival that commemorates the last week of Jesus Christ's life, including his crucifixion and resurrection. The festival takes place during the week leading up to Easter Sunday.
- Duration: One week, starting from Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday.
- Religious Significance: Commemorates the last week of Jesus Christ's life.
- Processions: Elaborate religious processions take place in various cities and towns across Mexico.
- Iconic Symbols: Crosses, statues, and images of Jesus, Virgin Mary, and other biblical figures.
- Reenactments: The Passion Play, reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus, is performed in many places.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular festival in Mexico
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61votes
El Grito de Dolores
Miguel Hidalgo y CostillaThis celebration takes place on the night of September 15th, the eve of Independence Day. It includes a reenactment of Father Miguel Hidalgo's famous "Cry of Dolores" speech, fireworks, and patriotic music.El Grito de Dolores is a significant Hispanic tradition that commemorates the Mexican War of Independence. It takes place on the night of September 15th, marking the eve of Mexican Independence Day. This event includes a reenactment of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's famous cry for independence, known as 'El Grito' ('The Cry').- Date: September 15th
- Purpose: Commemorate the Mexican War of Independence
- Significance: Marking the start of the Mexican Independence Day celebrations
- Location: Various cities and towns in Mexico and Hispanic communities worldwide
- Activities: Reenactment of 'El Grito', fireworks, live music, dancing, food, parades
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78votes
Andrea Mantegna · Public domainCelebrated on February 2nd, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas season and the presentation of Jesus at the temple. It is celebrated with feasting, parades, and the blessing of candles.Dia de la Candelaria, also known as Candlemas, is a popular holiday celebrated in Mexico on February 2nd. It is a religious and cultural festival that honors the Virgin Mary and commemorates the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus at the temple.- Religious Significance: Dia de la Candelaria combines indigenous beliefs with Catholicism, marking the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the agricultural year.
- Symbolism: Candles play a significant role during this holiday, representing purification, hope, and guiding lights.
- Processions and Parades: Communities gather to take part in processions and parades, carrying images of the Virgin Mary and lighting candles.
- Traditional Food: It is customary to eat tamales on this day, which are often exchanged among friends and family members.
- Dressing up Statues: Statues of the baby Jesus are dressed up in traditional clothing and taken to the church to be blessed.
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87votesCelebrated on January 6th, this holiday marks the arrival of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. It is celebrated with parades, gift-giving, and traditional food.Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day) is a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico that marks the culmination of the Christmas season. It is observed on January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day of Christmas according to Western Christianity. The holiday commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men (Magi) to baby Jesus, symbolizing the revelation of God incarnate to the world.
- Alternative Names: Epiphany, Feast of the Epiphany
- Religious Significance: Commemoration of the visit of Three Wise Men to baby Jesus
- Traditions and Customs: Children receive gifts and leave shoes out for the Three Kings to fill with presents. Rosca de Reyes (a sweet bread in the shape of a wreath) is eaten, and a figurine of baby Jesus is hidden inside it.
- Celebrations: Parades, processions, and street festivals are held. Families and friends come together for a festive meal.
- Regional Variations: Dia de los Reyes is celebrated throughout Mexico, but some regions have unique customs and traditions associated with the holiday.
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95votes
Celebrated on June 24th, this holiday honors St. John the Baptist and marks the summer solstice. It is celebrated with bonfires, fireworks, and traditional food and drink.Dia de San Juan, also known as St. John's Day, is a popular holiday celebrated in Mexico. It is observed on June 24th every year and holds great cultural and religious significance. The holiday has its roots in both Catholic traditions and ancient Mesoamerican rituals.- Date: June 24th
- Religious Affiliation: Catholicism, native Mesoamerican beliefs
- Origin: Combination of Catholic feast day and pre-Hispanic traditions
- Celebration Type: Religious and cultural
- Symbolism: Fire, purification, renewal, and fertility
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105votes
Attributed to Pieter Breughel the Younger · Public domainCelebrated on December 28th, this holiday is similar to April Fool's Day and includes pranks and jokes played on friends and family.Dia de los Santos Inocentes, also known as Day of the Holy Innocents, is a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico. It is observed on December 28th and is a day filled with pranks, jokes, and hoaxes. Similar to April Fools' Day in other countries, this holiday is marked by playful and light-hearted practical jokes.- Date: December 28th
- Purpose: Celebration of pranks and jokes
- Origin: Unknown, but influenced by the Catholic Feast of the Holy Innocents
- Traditions: Playing pranks on friends, family, and coworkers
- Popular Prank: Pinning a sign or sticker on someone's back without them noticing
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Ranking factors for popular holiday
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Cultural significanceThe importance of the holiday in Mexican culture, its historical roots, and the extent to which it is ingrained in the national identity.
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ObservanceThe proportion of the population that celebrates or recognizes the holiday, as well as the extent to which it is officially recognized by the government (e.g., public holidays or national events).
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Traditions and customsThe unique customs, rituals, and celebrations that take place during the holiday, as well as the degree to which these are widespread and practiced throughout the country.
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Festivities and eventsThe scale and grandeur of the celebrations, parades, and public events associated with the holiday, as well as the degree to which they attract tourists and national attention.
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Economic impactThe effect of the holiday on the Mexican economy, including tourism revenues, business closures, and spending on goods and services – both by domestic consumers and international visitors.
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DurationThe length of time the holiday is celebrated or observed, from single-day events to multi-day festivals and seasons.
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Regional variationsThe extent to which the holiday is celebrated differently across Mexico's diverse states and regions, or if it is more prominent in certain areas than others.
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Media coverageThe extent to which the holiday is covered by local and national media, as well as the presence of the holiday in popular culture (e.g., movies, music, literature).
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Community involvementThe level of participation by communities, organizations, and individuals in organizing and partaking in holiday events and activities.
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InclusivityThe extent to which the holiday is open and welcoming to all members of society, regardless of their cultural or religious background.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular holiday in Mexico. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or holiday is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1778 views
- 176 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each holiday once every 24 hours. The rank of each holiday is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular holiday in mexico
Mexico is a country rich in culture and traditions, and this is reflected in the many holidays and celebrations that take place throughout the year. From religious festivals to national commemorations, Mexicans love to celebrate and share their traditions with the world. One of the most popular holidays in Mexico is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This two-day celebration honors deceased loved ones and is celebrated with colorful altars, offerings, and parades. Another popular holiday is Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. While it is not a major holiday in Mexico, it has become a popular celebration of Mexican culture in the United States. Other holidays include Independence Day on September 16th, Christmas, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). With so many holidays to choose from, it's no wonder that Mexicans are known for their love of celebration and fiesta!
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