Major Public Holidays in Mexico: Complete Calendar

Mexico's holiday calendar blends civic, religious, and cultural celebrations—some nationwide, others regional. Here are the major statutory holidays (días festivos oficiales):

📅 Federal Holidays (Nationwide, Paid Day Off)

*Observed Monday (puente/long weekend) per labor law reform

🌟 Major Cultural/Religious Observances (Not Federal Holidays)

• May 5 – Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo): Regional (Puebla) — not nationwide holiday
• Nov 1–2 – Día de Muertos: UNESCO heritage; altars, marigolds, sugar skulls — widely observed, not statutory
• Dec 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mexico's patroness; massive pilgrimage to Basilica (CDMX) — de facto holiday for many
• Jan 6 – Three Kings (Día de Reyes): Gift-giving, Rosca de Reyes — cultural, not statutory
• Holy Week (Semana Santa): Thu/Fri often off (schools, some employers); processions nationwide

🏛️ Regional Holidays

• State founding days (e.g., Jalisco Jun 16, Yucatán Feb 24)
• City patron saint festivals (ferias) — local holidays

💼 Labor Law Note

• Article 74 LFT: Mandates 7 federal holidays + Dec 1 (every 6 yrs, presidential inauguration)
• Work on holiday = Double pay + day off
• Puente (bridge): If holiday Tue/Thu, Mon/Fri often off (employer discretion)

Plan ahead: Banks, government offices close on federal holidays. Tourist sites open. Transport busy on puentes.