Here’s a look at what’s on in the Mexican Caribbean and the state of Yucatan 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.
March
Anniversary of the discovery of Isla Mujeres by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, Isla Mujeres, March 4
Mexican Caribbean Fishing Season begins
Carnival, Isla Mujeres, March 4 – 9
Carnival, Cozumel, March 2-9
Carnival, Mérida, Yucatán, March 2 – 9
Fourth Wind & Tide Kite Surfing Regatta, Cozumel, March 4 – 7
First Mexican Wine Festival, Xcaret Park, Riviera Maya, March 9 – 12
Feria de las Hamacas, Tecoh, Yucatan, March 20
Anniversary of birth of Benito Juarez, Mexico, March 21
Equinox, Chichén Itza, Yucatan, March 20 & 21 (sunset)
Equinox, Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, March 20 & 21 (sunrise)
(Note: Also visible the day before and the day after the Equinox, depending on the cloud cover)
Earth Hour, March 26
April
Cancun Grand Slam International Fishing Tournament, Marina Hacienda del Mar, Cancun, April 2
Día de San Idelfonso, Izamal, Yucatan, April 3
Fiesta de San Telmo, Holbox, April 4- 19
Festivities include a Fishing Tournament
Feria de la Pascua y del Tabaco, Ticul, Yucatan, April 5
Maundy Thursday, April 21
Good Friday, April 22
Easter Sunday, April 24
Feria del Cedral. Cozumel, April 24 – May 3
Sol al Sol Regatta from St Petersburg, Fl., Isla Mujeres, April 27 – 29
International Day of the Child, April 30
May
Sea Turtle Nesting Season begins in the Mexican Caribbean
Festival of the Holy Cross, Cozumel, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum, Mayan communities in the districts of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Jose Maria Morelos and Lazaro Cardenas and Maxcanu, Chumayel and Tecoh in Yucatán, May 3
Governor’s Cup Fishing Tournament, Majahual, Costa Maya, May 6-8
Mother’s Day, May 10
Isla Mujeres Regatta, May 11 – 15
Sport Fishing Tournament, Cozumel, May 13 – 15
San Isidro Labrador, Panaba, Yucatan, May 15
Whale Shark Season begins, Holbox, Isla Mujeres
Mayan Sacred Crossing, Xcaret to Cozumel, May 19 – 21
Feria de las Hamacas, Tekom, Yucatan, May 20
Eighth Island Fishing Tournament, Isla Mujeres, May 20-22
June
Navy Day Celebrations in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, June 1
Por La Libre Annual Swimming Race across the bay from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, June 4
Dorado de Plata Fishing Tournament, Majahual, June 3-5
Puerto Morelos Fishing Tournament (t.b.c.)
La Chispa, series of events commemorating Valladolid’s role in starting the Mexican Revolution, Valladolid, Yucatan, June 4
Amigos Fest, First Music, Family & Nature Festival
25th Anniversary of the Founding of Amigos de Sian Ka’an, Malecon Cancun, June 5
Festival de la Miel, Mayan Ceremony and Honey Harvest Festival, Xel-Ha, June 18
Mayan Salsa Bachata Congress 2011, Hilton Cancun Hotel, June 16 – 19
5th Beach Football Mini World Cup, Playa Mamitas, Playa del Carmen, June 5-6
Dorado de Plata International Fishing Tournament, Majahual, June 11-13
San Antonio de Padua, Chemax, Yucatan, June 7 – 13
Father’s Day, June 19
Dia de San Juan Bautista, Dzilam de Bravo, Yucatan, June 24
Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo, Cozumel, June 29
July
Fourth Whale Shark Festival, Isla Mujeres, July 15 – 17
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
Ultimate Diver Challenge, Cozumel, July 15 – 30
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.)
Feria de la Naranja, Oxkutzcab, Yucatan, August 10 – 16
MayaKoba Junior Golf Classic, Riviera Maya, August 16 – 19
161st Anniversary of the foundation of Isla Mujeres, August 12-17
3rd Women’s Fishing Tournament, Isla Mujeres, August 13-14
Virgin de la Asuncion, Izamal, Muna, Yucatan, August 15
Traditional Festival, Mani, Yucatan, August 20
September
Riviera Maya Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival, Tulum (t.b.c.)
Latin American Food & Drink Fair 2011, CancunMesse, Cancún, September 7 – 11
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
Cancun Fest, September 12 – 19
Cancun Ironman, September 18
Equinox, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, September 22 & 23 (sunset)
Equinox, Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, September 22 & 23 (sunrise)
Fiestas de San Miguel Arcangel, Cozumel, September 21 – 29
Fiesta del Cristo de las Ampollas, Merida, September 27
October
Festival de Otono/Autumn Cultural Festival, Merida, October 21 – December 13
Riviera Maya Underground Film Festival, Playa del Carmen
24th Cancun Travel Mart, Cancun Convention Center, Oct 12 – 14
Columbus Day, October 12
9th Sea Turtle Festival, Tulum, Xcacel & Akumal, Riviera Maya, Oct 13 – 16
El Cristo de Sitilpech, Izamal, October 18
November
Day of the Dead, November 1 & 2
6th Festival of Life & Death Traditions, Xcaret, October 30 – November 2
Feria de Yucatan, Merida
Caribbean Culture Festival, Cancun, Chetumal, Playa del Carmen, November 12 – 19
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, November 20
Sixth Caribe Maya Cultural Festival, Isla Mujeres, November 17 -20
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Playa Mamitas, Playa del Carmen, November 24-26
11th Annual Yucatan Bird Festival, Merida, November 25 – 27
December
International Night Marathon, Cancun, December 3
Dia de la Virgen de la Concepción, patron saint of Izamal and Isla Mujeres, festivities in both places. A statue of the Virgin is taken out into the bay at the head of a procession of fishing boats. December 8. On Isla Mujeres festivities take place from November 26 -December 8.
Mañanitas de Flor y Canto, traditional serenade to honor the Virgen de Guadalupe, Xcaret, December 11
Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe, throughout Mexico, December 12
Feria de la Naranja (Orange Fair), Oxkutzcab, Yucatán (t.b.c.)
Festival de la Miel, Mayan Ceremony and Honey Harvest Festival, Xel-Ha, December 10
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Windsurfing World Championship, Formula Experience Class, Cancun, December 26 – January 1
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
New Year’s Eve, December 31
2012
January
The BPM Festival for electronic music fans, Playa del Carmen, December 30 – January 8
Feria de Tres Reyes, Tizimin, Yucatan, January 6
Anniversary of Founding of Merida, Yucatan, January 6
Merida Cultural Festival, Merida, Yucatan, January 6 – 31
Feria de Valladolid, Valladolid, Yucatan, January 21 – February 2
February
Feria de San Felipe, Traditional Fair in San Felipe, Yucatan February 1-5
La Candelaria, observed throughout the area, February 2
Mexican Constitution Day February 5
Valentine’s Day February 14
Mexican Flag Day February 24
MayaKoba PGA Golf Tournament, El Camaleón Golf Club, Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, February 22 – 26
March
First Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival, Cancun, March 15-18
