Spring break is in full swing during March, so keep that in mind if you're heading to one of Mexico's popular beach destinations. As for the weather, March in Mexico is usually dry and warm to hot. The third Monday is a holiday in commemoration of Benito Juarez' birthday, and there are lots of festivities to welcome spring. Here's a look at the important festivals and events you might want to attend on a visit to Mexico in the month of March:
Night of the Witches - Noche de Brujas
Catemaco, Veracruz, March 2
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
Guadalajara International Film Festival
Guadalajara, Jalisco, March 2 to 10
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.
Website: Guadalajara Film Festival
Guadalajara City Guide
Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival
Zihuatanejo, March 5 to 11
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 festival go towards supporting arts and educational projects in the community.
Web Site: Zihuafest
Cancun-Riviera Maya Food and Wine Festival
Cancun and Riviera Maya, March 15 to 18, 2012
Celebrity chefs from eight countries will visit Cancun for the First Annual Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival. Proceeds will go towards supporting the local charity Ciudad de la Alegria.
Website: Cancun and Riviera Maya Food and Wine Festival
Tajin Summit - Cumbre Tajin, Festival de la Identidad
Tajin, Veracruz, March 17 to 21
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.
Festival de Musica Barroca - Baroque Music Festival
San Miguel de Allende, March 17 to 24
Enjoy a week of non-stop music and activities, taking over the cultural spaces, churches, and interesting niches in this celebration of Mexican baroque music.
Web Site: www.baroqueconcerts.com
Banderas Bay Regatta and Nautical Festival
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, March 20 to 24
From the event Web Site: "Now in its 20th year, this 5 day event is specially designed with cruisers in mind - fun but competitive races between boats designed for coastal and offshore cruising. Race boats and catamarans join the fun too in this non-profit event. With nightly fiestas, live music and entertainment, this is the signature event of the Vallarta Yacht Club."
Web Site: Banderas Bay Regatta.
Benito Juarez' Birthday - Natalicio de Benito Juarez
Celebrated nationwide, but particularly in Oaxaca, March 21 (observed the third Monday in March)
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) full-blooded native president. His birthday is celebrated as a national 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
Food & Wine Festival
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, March 22 to 24
Celebrity chefs Michael Symon, Marcus Samuelsson and wine expert Mark Oldman join together with other acclaimed chefs to host three days of cooking demonstrations, tastings, seminars and intimate tours of the local culinary community.
Website: Food & Wine Festival of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
Xochimilco Festival de la Flor mas Bella
Xochimilco, D.F., March 22 to 25
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
Tequila Cultural Festival - Festival Cultural de Tequila
Tequila, Jalisco, March 23 to 25
Celebrate Mexico's most popular drink in this cultural festival hosted by Jose Cuervo distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco.
Website: Viva el Tequila
Read about tequila, mezcal and pulque.
February Events | Mexico Calendar | April Events
Mexico Calendar of Festivals and Events
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