Mexican National Public Holidays

Schools, banks, post offices and government offices are closed on the following days:

• January 1 - Año nuevo (New Year)

• First Monday in February (originally celebrated February 5) - Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day)

• Third Monday in March (originally celebrated March 21) - Natalicio de Benito Juarez (Benito Juarez' Birthday)

• May 1 - Dia del Trabajo (Labor Day)

• September 16 - Día de la Independencia (Independence Day)

• Third Monday in November (originally celebrated November 20) - Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day)

• December 25 - Navidad (Christmas Day)

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The following holidays are optional:

• April 1, 2010 (variable date) - Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) Holy Week in Mexico

• April 2, 2010 (variable date) - Viernes Santo (Good Friday). Holy Week in Mexico

• May 5 - Cinco de Mayo, Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla)

• November 2 - Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

• December 12 - Día de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

School holidays are for two weeks at Christmas and two weeks at Easter (Semana Santa), and from the beginning of July through the third week of August. During these times beaches and other tourist attractions may be crowded. See the official Mexican school calendar from the Secretary of Public Education (SEP).

Article 74 of Mexico's federal labor law (Ley Federal de Trabajo) governs public holidays in Mexico. In 2006 the law was changed to modify the dates of certain holidays - to be celebrated on the preceding Monday. See the official calendar of holidays from the Diario Oficial de la Federacion.