Here’s a look at what’s on in the Mexican Caribbean and the state of Yucatan for the rest of this year. We have included traditional fiestas or festivals in honor of important saints, major Mexican holidays, sport, music and cultural events. We will be adding more listings during the year so be sure to stay posted for details.
* Events, dates and locations are subject to change.
* (t.b.c.) Dates unavailable at this time.
2012
May
Sea Turtle Nesting Season begins in the Mexican Caribbean
Festival of the Santa Cruz or Holy Cross, Cozumel, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum, Mayan communities in the districts of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Jose Maria Morelos and Lazaro Cardenas and Acanceh in Yucatan, May 1-8
Feria del Cedral. Cozumel, April 28 – May 3
Cesar Martin Rosado Fishing Tournament, Puerto Morelos, May 4-6
Governor’s Cup Fishing Tournament, Majahual, Costa Maya, May 6-8
Mother’s Day, May 10
Sport Fishing Tournament, Cozumel, May 11-13
San Isidro Labrador, Panaba, Yucatan, May 15
Whale Shark Season begins, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, May 15
Mayan Sacred Crossing, Xcaret to Cozumel, May 17 – 19
Sixth Annual Copa del Rey International Polo Tournament, Puerto Morelos, May 17 – 20
Feria de las Hamacas, Tekom, Yucatan, May 20
Island Fishing Tournament, Isla Mujeres, May 18-20
Andres Garcia Lavin Fishing Tournament, Puerto Morelos May 25-27
Aguas Abiertas Swimming Marathon, Bacalar, May 26-27
June
Navy Day Celebrations in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, June 1
Dorado de Plata Fishing Tournament, Majahual, June 8-10
La Chispa, series of events commemorating Valladolid’s role in starting the Mexican Revolution, Valladolid, Yucatan, June 3-4
Festival de la Miel, Mayan Ceremony and Honey Harvest Festival, Xel-Ha, June 2
San Antonio de Padua, Chemax, Yucatan, June 7 – 13
Mundo Maya Tourism Industry Fair, Merida, June 18-21
Father’s Day, June 19
Fifth Whale Shark Festival, Isla Mujeres, June 21 – 24
Summer Solstice, Chichen Itza June 20
Dia de San Juan Bautista, Dzilam de Bravo, Yucatan, June 24
Copa Majahual Sport Fishing Tournament, Majahual, June 23-24
Por La Libre Annual Swimming Race across the bay from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, June 26
Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo, Cozumel, June 29
July
Cancun Triathlon, Puerto Morelos
Anniversary of Foundation of Ticul, Traditional Fair in Ticul, Yucatan (mid July)
La Virgen de Carmen, Playa del Carmen, Motul, July 16
Fishing Tournament July 17 – 18, Playa del Carmen
Anniversary of the start of the Caste War, Tihosuco, July 27 – 30
Mayan Culture Day, Quintana Roo State, July 30
August
Ringing of Young Flamingos, Rio Lagartos, Yucatan (t.b.c.)
Celebrity Golf Tournament, Cozumel Country Club, Cozumel (t.b.c)
Jatsa-Ha Festival, Majahual (t.b.c)
Anniversary of the foundation of Isla Mujeres, August
12-17
Virgin de la Asuncion, Izamal, Muna, Yucatan, August 15
Traditional Festival, Mani, Yucatan, August 20-26
Fiesta de la Virgen Maria, Tixkakal Guardia, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, August 23 – 29
September
Festival of the Virgin de la Caridad de Cobre, Isla Mujeres. A procession of boats with the statue of the Virgin de la Caridad at the head sets out on a pilgrimage to Contoy Island, September 11
Mexican Independence, September 15-16
Feria de San Ramon, Izamal, Yucatan, September 16
Equinox, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, September 22 (sunset)
Equinox, Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, September 22 (sunrise)
Fiestas de San Miguel Arcangel, Cozumel, September 21–29
Fiesta del Cristo de las Ampollas, Merida, September 27
October
Cancun ITU Triathlon Wold Cup, Cancun, October 6-7
Festival de Otono/Autumn Cultural Festival, Merida, October – December 13
Cancun Travel Mart, Cancun Convention Center (t.b.c)
Columbus Day, October 12
Sea Turtle Festival, Tulum, Xcacel & Akumal, Riviera Maya, October (t.b.c.)
El Cristo de Sitilpech, Izamal, October 18
November
Day of the Dead, November 1 & 2
Festival of Life & Death Traditions, Xcaret, October 30 – November 2
Xel-Ha Triathlon, Xel-Ha Park (t.b.c)
Feria de Yucatan, Merida
Seventh Festival de Cultura del Caribe Maya, Isla Mujeres, November 14-18
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, November 20
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Playa Mamitas, Playa del Carmen, November 22-24
Second International Meeting of Poets, Isla Mujeres, November 22-25
IronMan Cozumel, November 25
Yucatan Bird Festival, Merida, November t.b.c.
December
International Marathon, Cancun, December
Dia de la Virgen de la Concepcion, patron saint of Izamal, December 7 – 13, and on Isla Mujeres where a statue of the Virgin is taken out into the bay at the head of a procession of fishing boats on December 8. On Isla Mujeres festivities take place from November 26 -December 8.
Mañanitas de Flor y Canto, traditional serenade to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, Xcaret, December 11
Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe, throughout Mexico, December 12
Feria de la Naranja (Orange Fair), Oxkutzcab, Yucatán (first two weeks of December)
Festival de la Miel, Mayan Ceremony and Honey Harvest Festival, Xel-Ha, December (t.b.c)
Winter Solstice, December 21
The end of a cycle in the ancient Mayan Calendar, dawn of a new era, December 21-23, Chichen Itza
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Día de los Santos Inocentes, apart from its religious significance, this day is the Mexican equivalent of April Fools Day, with elaborate stories being told to try and catch the unsuspecting out, December 28
The BPM Festival, Playa del Carmen, December 30-January 8, 2013
New Year’s Eve, December 31
