Month/Event
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January / Mayan Village Show
Enjoy recreations of ancient Mayan festivals, including a jungle walk and
celebration of the discovery of fire, throughout the month of January, at
Xcaret Park.
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Epiphania
During the first week in January, local restaurants serve a cake called Rosca
de Reyes, which is baked with one small doll inside. The lucky recipient must
invite everyone at the table to hot chocolate and tamales served in February
during Candlemas.
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February / Candlemas
During the first week of February, the end of the Christmas season is marked
with the Candlemas celebration in homes and at local restaurants, involving a
meal of tamales and hot chocolate.
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February / Constitution Day
Speeches and ceremonies commemorating this National Holiday, on February 5.
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February / Dia de la Bandera (Flag Day)
In mid-February, the streets are filled with Mexican flag vendors, and on
February 24 everyone places a flag on their cars while children present a
commemorative ceremony.
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March / Carnival
During the first half of March, Cancun celebrates its version of this pre-Ash
Wednesday event, with floats, street parties with local food and drinks, and
a variety of events, all over town
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March / Benito Juarez’s Birthday
National Holiday honouring president and leader of the 19th-Century Reform
movement, on March 21.
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March / Vernal Equinox
Visitors come to the main temple at Chichen Itza in late March to see the
descent of the serpent Kukulkan. History has it that the Maya constructed the
temple in a way that during equinox a beam of sunlight creates a shadow
moving down towards earth resembling a slithering snake.
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March / Lasser Sailing Show
During the last half of March, the waters around Cancun are filled with
sailing vessels of all description.
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April / Holy Week and Easter
Celebrations and processions in observance of Christ’s resurrection, during
the Easter holiday.
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April / Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun
Residents celebrate the origin of their city throughout the downtown area
with parades and street parties, throughout the downtown area.
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May / Cinco de Mayo
National holiday commemorating Mexico’s defeat of the French in the Battle of
Puebla in 1862, on May 5.
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May / Cancun Jazz Festival
Come to the Parque de las Palapas and the area around the Convention Center
for live performances from the best jazz musicians in the world, during
Memorial Day weekend.
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May / International Gay Festival
Enjoy food, music, mariachi bands, a cruise of the Caribbean, assorted
parties and a final champagne breakfast, during a weekend in May.
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June / Caribbean Hotel Intercontinental Congress
During the last week of June the annual meeting of Caribbean hotel proprietors,
part of which is open to the public, brings with it an exposition of various
foods and services offered throughout the area.
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July / Feast of Our Lady of Carmen
The port town of Ciudad del Carmen hosts an annual regional fair which
includes bullfighting and livestock exhibitions, sporting events, plenty of
food, drinking and dancing, in mid-July.
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August / Xel-Ha
August is the perfect month in which to visit the Xel-Ha tropical water park,
where you can explore the forest and waterscapes of the Yucatan Peninsula.
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September / Independence Day
In the middle of September, Cancun residents celebrate the liberation of
Mexico by Padre Miguel Hidalgo, on El Grito, or the “Shout” Day, with
festivities all over the downtown and Isla de Mujeres areas.
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September / Autumnal Equinox
Take a side trip to the famous Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza, and marvel at
the famous sunset optical illusion when shadows zig zag their way to the
stone carving of the serpent Kukulkan, around the third week of September.
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October / Mexican Caribbean Travel Mart
During the first week in October, the Cancun Travel Agent Association and the
Cancun Hotel Association hold their annual convention, part of which is open
to the public, and showcase food and services offered in the area.
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October/MTV Latin American Awards
This is the first time the MTV Latam Awards are featured outside Miami.
During Oct 20th Cancun will host worldwide renowned Latin American artists
and TV/Movie Stars.
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October / Eve of All Souls Day
Residents bring flowers and candles to the graves of loved ones on the eve of
October 31, all over the Yucatan Peninsula.
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November / All Souls Day; Day of the Dead
Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, families enjoy a traditional meal at the
graves of loved ones, and various festivals are held in the area, during the
first two days in November.
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November / Movie Festival
Enjoy an international gathering of cinema enthusiasts and screenings of the
world’s best independent new films, during the month of November.
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November / World Cup Triathlon
Watch international contestants compete in swimming, running and biking
events at Langosta Beach, during the first week in November.
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November / Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
Celebrate the Mexican Revolution of 1910 with parades, speeches and
ceremonies, on November 20.
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December / Christmas Holiday
Starting nine days before Christmas and concluding after the new year, a
period called the “posada,” or procession, the residents celebrate the season
with a variety of street fairs, piñata breaking, passion plays called
“pastorelas,” and a feast in honor of the Virgen de la Soledad
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Calendar of Events
