Night of the Witches - Noche de Brujas
March 6th, Catemaco, Veracruz
Shamans, healers and fortune-tellers are ubiquitous in Catemaco throughout the year, but the first Friday of March marks their annual convention. If you'd like to have your cards or hand read, or experience a "limpia," you'll have plenty of options here.
Catemaco Tourist Information
Viva el Tequila Festival - Tequila Festival
Guadalajara, Jalisco, March 12 to 22
This event will take place in the Guadalajara city center with stands offering tastings of different brands of tequila, as well as food stands and mechanical rides and activity areas for children. The festival will also include several free concerts by well-known Mexican performers.
Website: Viva el Tequila
Read about tequila, mezcal and pulque.
Mexico City Festival - Festival de Mexico en el Centro Historico
Mexico City, March 12 to 29
One of Latin America's most vibrant international arts festivals, this two-week festival features unique and innovative events including opera, concerts, theater, art exhibits and dance productions. Proceeds from the festival go toward the rescue and restoration of the art and architecture of Mexico City's historic downtown area.
Web Site: Festival de Mexico
Banderas Bay Regatta and Nautical Festival
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, March 17 to 21
This four-day event in the Bahía de Banderas features sailing and a variety of beach activities.
Web Site: Banderas Bay Regatta.
Tajin Summit - Cumbre Tajin, Festival de la Identidad
Tajin, Veracruz, March 18 to 22
The culture of the Totonac people of Veracruz takes the spotlight at this annual event taking place during the spring Equinox. The festival includes concerts, workshops and the opportunity to sample the unique cuisine of Veracruz, as well as a spectacular night-time show at the Tajin archaeological site.
Web Site: Cumbre Tajin
Read about the Voladores de Papantla, part of the heritage of the Totonac people.
Guadalajara International Film Festival
Guadalajara, Jalisco, March 19 to 27
Guadalajara hosts the oldest and most important film festival in Mexico, offering the best selection of Mexican and Latin American films of the year. The festival features a variety of films including feature-length films, shorts, documentaries and children’s films.
Web Site: Guadalajara Film Festival
Guadalajara City Guide
Benito Juarez' Birthday - Natalicio de Benito Juarez
Celebrated nationwide, but particularly in Oaxaca, March 21
One of Mexico's most beloved leaders, sometimes referred to as the "Mexican Abraham Lincoln," Benito Juarez went from being a poor Zapotec Indian to become Mexico's first (and only) native president. He made education free and mandatory and brought in the separation between church and state. His birthday is celebrated as a national public holiday.
Biography of Benito Juarez
Spring Equinox
Chichen Itza, March 21
Thousands flock to the main Temple of Kulkulkan at Chichen Itza to witness the play of light and shadow which shows a serpent descending the stairs of the temple.
More: Celebrating the Spring Equinox in Mexico
Chichen Itza Visitors Guide
Chichen Itza Photos
Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival
Zihuatanejo, March 22 to 29
This town neighboring the resort area of Ixtapa hosts an annual festival designed to bring locals and tourists together to enjoy guitar music. Concerts are held on the beach as well as in restaurants and bars throughout the town. Proceeds from the event will go to Zihuatanejo’s Casa de la Cultura, a cultural center that offers free art classes to folks from the community.
Web Site: Zihuafest
Xochimilco Festival de la Flor mas Bella
Xochimilco, D.F., March 23 to 29
Held annually two weeks before Easter, this four-day event dates back to precolonial times when Mexicans honored the goddess of flowers (Xochipilli) and the goddess of dance (Maculxochitl) to ensure good harvests. Every year, a young woman is crowned La Flor Mas Bella del Ejido (the most beautiful flower of the land) who presides over colorful parades on flower-decorated barges along Xochimilco's canals.
Web Site: Festival de la Flor mas Bella
Holy Week - Semana Santa
Nationwide, March 29 to April 4
This year Easter falls on April 4th. Festivities take place during the week leading up to Easter, but many people have the following week off as well, stretching it out to a two-week holiday. Religious processions and passion plays re-enacting the Jesus' crucifixion are commonly held, but for many Mexicans this is a favorite time to hit the beach. It's high season for travel, so if you plan to be in Mexico during Holy Week, make hotel reservations well in advance.
Read more: Holy Week and Easter in Mexico
