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JANUARY |
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4-6 |
Fiesta of the Holy Kings |
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In Santos Reyes Mopala. A Chatino Hill town approximately 1.5 hour drive from Puerto Escondido. |
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6 |
Day of Kings |
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15-17 |
Annual Fiesta for the Virgin of the Poor |
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Held in Colonia Lazaro Carderos - the oldest and most popular Colonia in Puerto Escondido. |
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18-21 |
Annual fiesta in San Juan Lachao Pueblo Nuevo |
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A fair held near Santos Reyes Nopala |
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FEBRUARY |
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2 |
Candelaria |
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Based on the ancient Hebrew practice of bringing the first born child to the temple 40 days after birth, this day commemorates the ritual for the baby Jesus. The term comes from the old Spanish word for candle. It is customary for parents to dress their children in their finest outfits and attend a special mass on this day. |
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5 |
Constitution Day |
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7-16 |
Annual Fiesta Bajos de Chila |
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One of the biggest and best fiestas in the region. Of special interest is the Mixteca ballgame tournament. Pelota Mixteca has its roots in pre-Hispanic times when all the indigenous cultures practised a ceremonial ballgame. |
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19 |
Army Day |
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This is the anniversary of the formation of a national army in 1913. |
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24 |
Flag Day |
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27-28 |
Founders Day Festival "Santa Maria Colotepec" |
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MARCH |
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8 |
International Women's Day |
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13 |
"Queens of the Fiesta" |
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San Jose Manialtepec - Events include a Horse Parade, and Coronation of Fiesta Queens. |
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17-20 |
Fiesta de San Jose |
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San Jose Manialtepec |
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17-21 |
Fiesta de San Jose |
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San Jose Progreso |
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21 |
Birthdate of Benito Juarez |
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Benito Juarez, an illiterate Zapotec Indian from Oaxaca, became his nation's President. |
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22-25 |
Fiesta San Gabriel Mixtepec |
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Holy Week |
"Semana Santa" Holy Week |
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This is one of the most important Holy weeks of the year. Semana Santa begins on Palm Sunday, and runs through Easter Sunday. It is a combination of Spring Break and Christmas - the single busiest holiday of the year. Semana Santa is an interesting blend of the sacred and the profane. Thursday and Good Friday of Holy Week are when things reach a peak of activity. During these days most communities hold religious processions and re-enactments of events such as The Last Supper and the arrest of Christ. On Good Friday the procession is known as "El Encuentro", the meeting, when Mary is reunited with her son before his passage along the Via Doloroso to his Crucifixion. |
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APRIL |
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1-3 |
Fiesta del Mar |
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3 days of music, sports, and games including the ever popular Bikini contest! |
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10 |
Anniversary of the death of Emiliano Zapata |
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He is Mexico's greatest revolutionary hero. |
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MAY |
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1 |
Labor Day |
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2-3 |
Feast of the Holy Cross |
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Santos Reyes Nopala |
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3 |
Bricklayers Day |
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This day is dedicated to all those who work in construction. |
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5 |
Anniversary of the Battle of Pueblo |
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National holiday commemorating the trouncing of the French Imperial army by Mexican forces loyal to President Benito Juarez. |
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2nd Sunday |
Mother's Day |
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JUNE |
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1 |
Day of the Sailor |
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This is the day to salute those of the Navy and Merchant Marine. |
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12,13 |
Festival of San Antonio de Padua |
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San Antonio Pochutla - A traditional coastal Fiesta featuring parades, dances, a rodeo, and the lighting of the Castillo. |
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3rd Sunday |
Father's Day |
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21 |
Anniversary of the Founding of San Pedro Mixtepec |
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27 |
Fiesta de Nuestra del Perpetuo Socorro |
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Santos Reyes Nopala - This important center of Chatino culture is always interesting to visit. Santos Reyes Nopala has been continuously inhabited for at least 2,000 years.
For this Fiesta it's the usual events with the added bonus of free food and refreshments. |
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27 - July 1 |
Festival of San Pedro Apostol |
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San Pedro Mixtepec |
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30 |
"La Noche Triste" |
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In 1520, Cuitlahuac and his troops attacked the Spanish forces in reprisal for the slaughter of hundreds of Aztec nobles worshipping in the temple. 400 Spaniards were killed, as well as 2,000 Indians loyal to them. Hernan Cortes and the other survivors were forced to flee the city of Tenochtitlan. Legend has it that the distraught Cortes wept and this is why this is called the "rout la Noche Triste", or the Night of Sorrow. |
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JULY |
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16 |
Fiesta of " Our Lady of Carmen" |
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Puerto Escondido - Held on the two consecutive Mondays following July 16. This is the most important cultural festival of the year in Oaxaca. It is also known as " Los Lunes del Cerro" or Mondays of the Hill. The city vibrates with the sights, sounds, and excitement.
The origins of the festival date back to prehispanic rituals honoring Centeotl, Goddess of Corn. The Franciscan, and Dominican Missionaries banned the cult of Centeotl and destroyed her altar that was located on Daninayaoloni, or the Hill of the Beautifull View, known today as Cerro de Fortin. |
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18 |
Anniversary of the death of Benito Jaurez |
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He died on this day in 1872. |
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21-23 |
Fiesta of Mary Magdalane |
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Santa Maria Magdalena Tiltepec, Nopala - This is the feast day of the patron Saint of Santa Maria Magdalena Tiltepec. The festival includes Calendas, rodeos, fireworks, dancing, and live bands. |
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24-26 |
Fiesta of Santiago |
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In the Nopala area the towns of Santiago Cuixtla and San Juan Lachao Pueblo Nuevo hold elaborate celebrations for Santiago Apostle. This festival features "Mayordomias", or festival patrons. They are chosen to sponsor the festivities, and provide food and drink for celebrants. |
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30 |
Anniversary of the death of Father Hidalgo |
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The George Washington of Mexico. A parish Priest who launched the movement for Independance of Spain. Captured by colonial forces he was executed July 30,1811. |
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AUGUST |
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8 |
Birthday of Emiliano Zapata |
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The most appealing figure of the Mexican revolution was born on this day in 1879. Time has not diminished the appeal of Zapata or the nobility of his principles. |
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9 |
Birthday of Vicente Guerrero |
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The hero of Mexico's independance struggle was born on this day in 1782. |
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12 |
Taxi Drivers Day |
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At 8:00 am the entire Puerto Escondido Taxi fleet assembles near the church for a special mass and blessing. |
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13-15 |
Feast of the Ascension of the Holy Virgin |
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14-20 |
Mexpipe August Open Surf Tournament |
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29 |
Senior's Day |
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30 |
Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima |
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This religious figure came out of the New World, and is venerated through the Latin world. |
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SEPTEMBER |
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6-8 |
Fiesta of the Birth of the Holy Virgin |
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Santa Maria Colotepec |
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13 |
Commemoration of the Heroic Children of Chapultepec |
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The martyrs of the defense of Mexico City against the invading U.S. juggernaut. |
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16 |
Independance Day |
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Anniversary of the birth of the Independance from Spain. |
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OCTOBER |
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1,8,15 |
Fiesta of Fandango |
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San Pedro Tututepec - On the first Friday of October this quiet town indulges in an orgy of Fandango, a form of Chilena music. The party is repeated on the following Friday, and then a week later the mayordomo for next year's fiesta recieves the religious icon Las Animas, the observance that gave birth to the fiesta. |
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15 |
Preparation for Day of the Dead |
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In Coastal communities it is customary for families to visit the cemetaries to clean. They leave small offerings to invite the souls of the departed to return for the upcoming day. |
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23 |
National Aviation Day |
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A day for all Mexican Pilots. |
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NOVEMBER |
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1,2 |
All Saints, All Souls Day of the Dead |
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The culmination of the Festive Holiday to honor the dead. A strong tradition in Oaxaca. |
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12 |
National Book Day |
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The Birthday of the Poet Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz. This is a day to promote literacy and the written word. |
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19-21 |
Annual International Sailfish Tournament |
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Puerto Escondido |
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20 |
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution |
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26-28 |
International Surf Tournament |
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Zicatela Beach |
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DECEMBER |
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8 |
Fiesta of our Lady of Juquila |
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Juquila is Mexicos Lourdes, a place that attracts over a million believers a year. |
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10-12 |
Fiesta of Virgin of Guadalupe |
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Rockets and late night partying attest to the popularity of Mexicos Patron saint. |
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16-18 |
Fiesta of our Lady of Soledad |
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The annual celebration of Puerto Escondido's Patron Saint. |
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16 |
CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO! |
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Mexico's Christmas festivities get under way on Dec. 16 with 8 days of Las Posadas which ends on December 24 "Noche Buena" (Good Night). |
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24 |
Noche Bueno " The Good Night " |
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Christmas Eve is traditionally when Mexican families gather for their Christmas Feast. The Poinsettias, known in Oaxaca as Noche Buena or Good Night is the symbolic flower this time of year. The Aztecs held the Noche Buena up as a symbol of new life earned by the warriors who died in battle. As butterflies and hummingbirds they returned to earth to sip the nectar of the Noche Buena. |
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24-25 |
Annual Fiesta in Barra de Navidad |
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The town is named for the season. |
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25 |
Merry Christmas! |
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Not much happens on Christmas Day. |
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31 |
New Years Eve! |
