Calendar
of Events and Traditions
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Calendar
of Events and Traditions
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New Year's Day. National Holiday. Most businesses are closed today, but the festivities go on. On New Year's eve, many restaurants will offer a special meal, and the town will have a fireworks display after midnight.
It's traditional to eat as many grapes as you can while the clock strikes the twelve last alarms of the night. This symbolized the good luck that this year will bring!
Dia de los Santos Reyes or Reyes Magos. This is the day
when
Mexicans exchange Christmas presents in accordance with the arrival of
the
three gift bearing wisemen to Jesus Christ. According to them, the wise men took days to arrive in Bethlehem to give Jesus their gifts. This day ends the 'holiday
season'
officially. On this day, there is a special bread that is baked with small dolls inside. As each piece is cut, guest know that the ones who find the small trinkets in their piece are responsible for hosting a party on Feb. 2, 2010. 
Constitution Day. Official speeches and ceremonies are
conducted nationwide on this holiday.
Flag Day. Official holiday that commemorates Mexico's constitution.
Cozumel is very proud of the large flag that we have waving our beachfront area.
Carnaval!
Carnaval is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day
celebration
of the libido before the Catholic lent. Beginning the weekend before
Lent,
Carnaval is celebrated exhubrantly with parades, floats and dancing in
the
streets.There are a lot of local events that begin before the public
celebrations are seen. As soon as the Christmas festivities are
over, the carnaval participants begin preparations. The dancers
begin practicing their dances, the designers begin their
creations.
Cozumel is
one of the top three celebrations for Carnaval in the world.
There are many dances all over town and at the hotels, with parades at
night. The best traditional foods are set up as restaurants all
over the main square and everyone is in Carnaval. The parade is
usually best on the last night, which is Tuesday, Fat Tuesday
before lent. We recommend you enjoyo the delightful food stands set up downtown and around the palacio grounds. The celebrations bring famous singers, dancers and stars. It's a know fact that many stars can get out and about without being identified because everyone is dressed up. <
The biggest events are the parades which are Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday, before Ash Wednesday. The parade begins at the south part of town behind the municiple building, goes down the beachfront 'Malicon' to the airport road, and then back. Most parades begin about 6:30 and end about 9:00. The last one is usually the longest and best as that is the float competition night. This is Cozumel's best celebration and takes many weeks of preparations.
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Valentine's Day is celebrated as "El Dia de la
Amistad"
which is Day of Friendship. The lovers celebrate this day as do
neighbors,
friends, teachers, parents, etc. It is totally proper to give
flowers,
chocolates and cards or take someone out for dinner that you are close
to,
even if not romantically.
Benito Juarez's Birthday. Mexico observes a national holiday to honor one of the country's most beloved presidents and leader of the 19th century Reform movement.
Vernal Equinox. Visitors gather on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes at the main temple at Chichen Itza to witness the spectacular descent of the plumed serpent, Kukulcan. The ancient Maya constructed the pyramid-shaped temple on such a way that, during the equinox, a beam of sunlight creates a dramatic serpentine shadow that moves down the steps towards the earth, like a real snake slithering down the face of the temple. The twice-yearly occurrence is supposed to ensure a good harvest.
Holy week and Easter. "Semana Santa"During the days
leading up to and including Easter, Mexicans hold celebrations and
somber
processions in observance of Christ's resurrection. This is a
holy
week that ends the 40-day Lent period. This week includes Good Friday
and
Easter Sunday. It is Mexican custom to break confetti-filled eggs over
the
heads of friends and family.
Día del Niño. Children's day. Parents
and
schools prepare many surprises and presents for their kids. They
have
parties, and go to events that Cozumel offers through out the town.
If you make friends with families that have children, you will be
rewarded
with big smiles if you think to bring them a treat on this day.
Primero de Mayo is the Mexican national holiday that is equivalent
to the U.S. Labor Day.
Holy Cross Day. 'Dia de la Santa Cruz", when constructiono
workers decorate and mount crosses on unfinished buildings, followed by
fireworkds
and picnics at the construction site. Cinco de Mayo. This national holiday commemorates Mexico's
1862 defeat of the French in the Battle of Puebla. Many Americans celebrate it thinking it's equal to the United State's 4th of July celebration. It is not the major holiday in Mexico. Cozumel's national Billfish Tournament. Mother's Day. Due to the importance of the mother in
Mexican culture, Mother's Day is an especially significant holiday.
There
are many programs at schools, and moms get flowers at restaurants and
stores. Fathers Day. Annual State of the Union. Mexican president speaks to the
nation. Date may vary slightly year to year. Independence Day. Mexico observes its 1821 independence
from Spain with speech-making, flag-waving, fireworks, horse races,
mariachi bands, and an abundance of decorations in red, green and
white: Mexico's national colors. Autumnal Equinox. The shadow pattern of the plumed serpent
Kukulcan descends the main pyramid of Chichen Itza, just as it does in
the vernal equinox. Dia de San Miguel. The patron saint of the town of San Miguel is The Archangel San Miguel. Every year from Sept. 21-25,there are fireworks, and Naval processioin in the town square in front of the pier.
"Dia de la Raza" celebrates Columbus' arrival to the
Americans,
and the historic origins of the Mexican race. Day of the Dead, or All Souls' Day. "Dia de los Muertos".
This Mexican holiday merges Pre-Columbian beliefs and modern
Catholocism.
Europe's All Saints' Day and the Aztec worship of the dead contribute
to
these two days that honor Mexico's dead. Anniversary of the Mexican revolution. Parades, speeches,
and patriotic events recall the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Christmas Week celebrations.
April 30-May 3
This historic festival is held in the small town of El Cedral, in the south of Cozumel Island at the end of April. This annual event is said to have been started over 150 years ago by Casimiro Cárdenas.
Cárdenas was one of a group that fled to the island from the village of Saban, on the mainland, after an attack during the War of the Castes. The attackers killed many other villagers, but Cárdenas survived whilst clutching a small wooden cross.
Legend has it that Cárdenas vowed to start an annual festival wherever he settled, to honor the religious power of this crucifix. Today, the original Holy Cross Festival forms part of the wider Festival of El Cedral, which includes fairs, traditional feasts, rodeos, bullfights, music and competitions. The celebrations last about 5 days in all and are held every year at the end of April or beginning of May
La Feria de Cedral" is a popular event for the locals. It is a fair type event that includes an array of traditional Mexican/Yucatecan dishes and crafts. They exhibit live stock, as the US fairs do, and have rides set up as well. There are also bull fights, and they eat the bull afterwards. If you have never seen a bull fight, it is hard to watch. The fight is bloody and not suited for children.
May 3
May 5
May (varies)
May 10
May 30
Marine Day Fishing Tournament.
This local event brings visitors from all over the world. The First Place winner goes home with a brand new car! .June 1
Navy Day is an official Mexican holiday.
September 1
September 16
September 21
About 90 years ago, a group of workers digging in an area north of town unearthed a statue of the archangel St Michael carved from ivory, brandishing a sword of pure gold and wearing a gold crown. This event occurred on a day holy to San Miguel — September 29. To the locals, this coincidence was too great to dismiss as less than a miracle, and thus the town was renamed. The statue is believed to have been a gift from Juan de Grijalva as part of an attempt to introduce Christianity to the island. The original statue was sent to Merida to be restored. Some say that the real statue never returned, and that the one on display is an exact replica rather than the original, but this has never been proven.
Today, the locals wish for safety from hurricanes, a good tourist season, fruitful fishing season, and God's blessing.
October 12
November 1–2
Deceased friends, relatives, and ancestors are remembered and honored
in
a traditional Mexican celebration that includes graveside picnics,
skeleton-shaped
candy and dolls, and a party-like atmosphere. It was traditionally
believed
that the spirits of the dead return to earth on this day.
November 20
Dec. 12
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated with a feast honoring
Mexico's patron saint.
Dec. 16
Las Posadas celebrates Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in
Bethlehem with candlelight processions that end at various nativity
scenes. These continue through Jan. 6.
December 25–January 2
Festivities include a two-day
feast commemorating the Virgen de la Soledad, nightly "posadas"
(re-enactments of Joseph and Mary's search for lodging), breaking of
piñatas, and candle-light processions.
Santa visits too.
