March Festivals and Events in Mexico

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 1
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 1 to 9
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 3 to 10
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

Xochimilco Festival de la Flor mas Bella
Xochimilco, D.F., March 9 to 16
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

Cancun-Riviera Maya Food and Wine Festival
Cancun and Riviera Maya, March 14 to 17
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. This year's theme is "Europe Meets the Americas," and celebrity chefs Massimo Bottura from Italy and Mexican Star Chef Enrique Olvera will be honored.
Website: Cancun and Riviera Maya Food and Wine Festival

Tianguis Turistico
Puebla, Puebla March 17 to 20
Mexico's largest annual travel trade show, Tianguis Turistico is an event that brings together travel industry representatives and journalists from Mexico and around the world in a different Mexican destination each year.
Read more about Tianguis Turistico.

Banderas Bay Regatta and Nautical Festival
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, March 19 to 23
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

Tajin Summit - Cumbre Tajin, Festival de la Identidad
Tajin, Veracruz, March 21 to 25
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.

Electric Palms Music Festival
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, March 22 to 30
The line-up for this music festival which will take place during the spring break season in Los Cabos includes Porter Robinson, Laidback Luke, Tedd, Tommy Trash, Borgore, and more. Concert venues include Nikki Beach, Skypool Dayclub, Pink Kitty Nightclub and Mandala. See the festival website for more info and to purchase tickets.
Website: Electric Palms Music Festival

Holy Week - Semana Santa
Nationwide, March 25 to 31
In 2013 Easter falls on March 31. 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 Jesus' crucifixion are commonly held, but for many Mexicans this is a favorite time to hit the beach.
Read more: Holy Week and Easter in Mexico

February Events | Mexico Calendar | April Events

Mexico Calendar of Festivals and Events