New Year's Day
January 1st
A quiet day, most stores and businesses are closed as folks recuperate from the revelry of New Year's Eve.
Merida International Arts Festival
Merida, Yucatan, January 3 to 23
Merida is a city which has a bustling cultural scene year-round but during the annual arts festival, the city is bursting with cultural events, concerts and art exhibits.
Web Site: Merida International Arts Festival
Merida City Guide
Dia de Reyes - Kings Day
January 6th
Traditionally this is the day Mexican children receive gifts, brought by the three kings (the Magi).
Read more: Kings Day in Mexico
January Festival - Fiesta de Enero
Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, January 8 to 23
A popular and religious festival with processions and dancing in the streets by people wearing masks and colorful outfits. Combined with the popular events is the celebration of three religious feast days, the Black Christ of Esquipulas on January 8, San Antonio Abad on January 17 and San Sebastian on January 20.
More information: Chiapa de Corzo's January Festival
Feria Estatal de Leon - Leon State Fair
Leon, Guanajuato, January 9 to February 3
Concerts and shows, exhibits and mechanical rides are all part of the fun as Leon celebrates its anniversary.
Website: Feria Estatal de Leon
Fiesta de San Antonio de Abad - Feast Day of Saint Anthony
January 17
On the feast day of Saint Anthony Abbot, also known as Saint Anthony of the Desert, patron of the animal kingdom, animals are decorated with flowers and ribbons and brought to churches to be blessed.
Fiesta de Santa Prisca - Feast Day of Santa Prisca
Taxco, Guerrero, January 17 and 18
Taxco comes alive during this annual fair commemorating the town's patron saint.
Taxco City Guide
Alamos Cultural Festival - Festival Cultural Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado
Alamos, Sonora, January 22 to 30
This annual festival, now in its 24th year, is given in honor of Alfonso Ortiz Tirado, a doctor, singer and philanthropist from Alamos. The festival's program has an emphasis on operatic singing and chamber music, but popular music and other art forms are also featured. The festival has grown yearly and is now one of northern Mexico's most important culural events, drawing over 100,000 people from many different countries.
Website: Alamos Cultural Festival
Migratory Birds Festival
San Blas, Nayarit, January 25 to February 1
Festival events include conferences, seminars, and bird-watching tours, offered every morning to places like Isabel Island and La Tovara National Park. Birds you're likely to see include boat-billed herons, northern jacanas, purple gallinules, mottled owls and white ibises. There will also be festivities in the central plaza including traditional dance performances by Tepic's dance company, singing and special events.
Website: Migratory Birds Festival
Chinese New Year
Mexico City's China Town, January 26
Chinese New Year celebrations are hosted by Mexico City's China Town, located on Dolores Street in the historical center (near Bellas Artes metro).
Night of the Stars - Noche de Estrellas
Various sites throughout Mexico, January 31
Observation of the stars will take place at over twenty archaeological and historical sites throughout the country in commemoration of the International Year of Astronomy.
Read more: Night of the Stars
