Ten festivals that you should not miss in Mexico

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Mexico with its varied geography, friendly people, and rich culture is a treasure to discover. In addition, the senses will be amazed by the incredible flavors that define Mexican cuisine, already recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Choosing this destination to enjoy an interesting and different vacation is quite an adventure because each city you visit will show you a new facet of its culture and will delight you with the large number of activities they have to do.

Its cultural and gastronomic events, including its fairs and festivals, attract tourists who love food, who want to know those elaborate culinary techniques and ancestral customs, full of symbolism since they are the expression of Mexican identity. Meet here those festivals that you really cannot miss on your next vacation in Mexico.

1. Mérida Fest

January- Merida

Visit Merida in any season and you will see that there is no shortage of cultural activities. But the city tries even harder in January, when Merida Fest is presented, a celebration that commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the city. Dance, theater, music, food – and almost all events are free.

2. Morelia en Boca

May – Morelia

Mexico is not without its gastronomic festivals, but in a short time, this festival has taken a prominent place among them. Conferences, food tastings, and other events attract stars from the Mexican culinary community… as well as an audience hungry to learn more about the history and culture of Mexican food.

3. Independence Day

September – All the country

One of the most impressive celebrations that you can enjoy during a visit to Mexico is that of the country’s independence. No matter how big the city is or how small the town is, the whole country comes out to celebrate September 16 with the famous cry: Long live Mexico!

4. International Cervantino Festival

October – Guanajuato

This festival is recognized worldwide for the variety and quality of

5. Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)

November – Oaxaca

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A cemetery decorated with candles, flowers and souvenirs for the deceased. (Photo: Getty Images)

Although Día de Los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico, many consider Oaxaca to have a more impressive approach. Entire families make processions to cemeteries, where they pay tribute to their deceased loved ones. There are candles, flowers, souvenirs, food, and tequila – and, of course, tales of those who have already left this world.

6. Los Cabos International Film Festival

November – Los Cabos

This festival is still very young (it was launched in 2012), but movie lovers are united in their opinion: Los Cabos International Film Festival has an unexpected maturity, attracting top-ranking movies and movie stars. In 2017, for example, 90% of the feature films at the festival had their premieres there.

7. International Balloon Festival (Festival Internacional del Globo)

November – Leon

Balloon fans consider this festival the most important of its kind in all of Latin America. In 2017, almost half a million people attended the festival, which shows all kinds of balloons, from traditional ones to those with novel shapes. In total, there are more than 200 balloons with pilots who come from almost 25 different countries.

8. International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro)

November-December – Guadalajara

There are several cities around the world that are famous for their book fairs and among them, Mexico has one: Guadalajara. For more than 30 years, the city has sponsored this fair, considered the most important in the Americas. There are readings, panels, workshops, and many activities for children and families.

9. Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe)

December – the whole country

December 12 is the day that Mexicans pay homage to their patron, the Virgin of Guadalupe. The most loyal faithful try to make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Watching them arrive by the thousands, many of them on their knees or carrying a cross, is something you will never forget.

10. Night of Radishes (Noche de Rabanos)

December – Oaxaca

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A sample at the Night of Radishes. (Photo: Getty Images)

Every December, the year closes with a flourish with a very unique festival: Night of Radishes. Yes, you read that right: radishes. Artisans come to the Zócalo in Oaxaca to display their works, all made from this colorful vegetable. They do complete and very folkloric scenes as part of a competition, and thousands of viewers enjoy the temporary exhibition, which lasts only one night.

Mexico Daily Post