If you’re spending time in Mexico in 2026, understanding holidays can save you a lot of confusion. Some dates are official federal holidays when banks, government offices, and many schools close, while others are deeply rooted cultural celebrations where daily life continues — just with more music, food, and fiestas. Below is a practical guide to both.
Federal holidays in Mexico (official closures)
Government offices, banks, and many businesses will be closed for those holidays nationwide, so please take note and make sure to stock up on pesos ahead of the long holiday weekends when ATMs may run out of pesos and won’t be restocked until the next work day. Tourism-related businesses will likely remain open. but may have limited hours or services. Beaches will typically be more busy on these days as well, as Mexicans will take advantage of a long holiday weekend to visit – we fully support that!!
Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
Banks and government offices closed.
Monday, February 2 – Constitution Day
Observed on the first Monday of February. Federal holiday with closures.
Monday, March 16 – Benito Juárez’s Birthday (observed)
Officially March 21, but observed on the third Monday of March. Federal holiday.
Friday, May 1 – Labor Day
One of the most strictly observed holidays. Banks, schools, and government offices close.
Wednesday, September 16 – Independence Day
Federal holiday with closures. Celebrations begin the night before with El Grito.
Monday, November 16 – Mexican Revolution Day (observed)
Officially November 20, but observed on the third Monday of November. There is typically a parade here in the colonia on 11/20. Check our social media for updates as the dates get closer.
Friday, December 25th– Christmas
Here in Puerto Morelos, restaurants will be open on the 24th and 25th, many with special menus or catering options. Make reservations ahead of time, as seating will fill up quickly. For Mexican families, the more important day is December 24th when they have a celebration complete with a large family dinner late in the evening. Traditionally, Christmas is not when they exchange gifts, they wait until January 6th – Día de Reyes.
Pro-Tip: Be aware that many government offices taper down their hours starting about mid-December and many offices don’t open back up again until the first week of January, so if you are needing to do any kind of official process such as obtaining or renewing residency, obtaining construction/remodeling permits, etc please plan accordingly.
Traditional and festive holidays
These celebrations are culturally important and often include events, parades, food, and family gatherings — but most businesses, banks, and schools operate normally unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, January 6 – Día de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day)
A major family celebration, especially for children. Traditionally, Christmas is not when they exchange gifts, they wait until Día de Reyes when the Three Wise Men bring gifts and leave them in the children’s shoes. The city typically has a huge rosca de reyes (sweet bread) in the Parque Fundadores for the community to enjoy. Normal business hours.
Tuesday, January 6th is also the Anniversary of Puerto Morelos becoming a municipality. In 2026, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary! There is usually a big party at night to celebrate.
Monday, February 2 – Día de la Candelaria
Tamales, tradition, and friendly obligations for anyone who found the muñeco in their Rosca de Reyes.
Friday-Sunday, February 6-8th – Carnaval (dates vary each year)
Festivities, music, parades, and events, especially in coastal towns. Businesses usually remain open.
Sunday, March 29 – Saturday, April 4 – Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Very busy travel period. Some schools close, but banks and most businesses stay open. Expect traffic and full hotels.
Tuesday, May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
Often misunderstood — it’s the rememberance of the Battle of Puebla, not Independence Day. Here in Puerto Morelos it isn’t really celebrated. Normal business operations.
Sunday, May 10 – Día de las Madres (Mother’s Day)
Restaurants are busy, schools may host events, but businesses remain open.
Sunday, November 1 – Monday, November 2 – Día de Muertos
Altars, cemeteries, cultural events, and decorations. Normal operations with added festivities. This is a VERY busy time of year and there will likely be events beginning as early as October 30th. Check out calendar of events as the dates get closer.
Saturday, December 12 – Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Major religious celebration with events and pilgrimages for a week or so leading up to the large celebration on the 12th. Most businesses remain open.
Wednesday, December 16 – Thursday, December 24 – Posadas
Community celebrations leading up to Christmas. Normal daily life with many nights of festivities organized by the municipality and the local Catholic churches.
What this means for visitors and residents
If your plans involve banks, paperwork, school schedules, or government offices, always check whether a date is a federal holiday. For everything else, traditional holidays are some of the best times to experience local culture — expect celebrations, music, food, and a lively atmosphere rather than closures.
In places like Puerto Morelos, life rarely stops — it just gets more festive.
Halloween & Día de Muertos 2025
Halloween and Día de Muertos / Janal Pixan 2025You’re probably already familiar with Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), one of Mexico’s most beloved traditions—but Janal Pixán, its Mayan counterpart from the Yucatán Peninsula, might be new to you. While both...
Mexican Independence Day 2025
If you’ve never had the opportunity to experience September in Mexico, make the effort to come for Mexican Independence Day on September 15th and 16th, during this most patriotic month of the year.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Puerto Morelos
Where will you Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Puerto Morelos this year?
If you are looking for the most delicious restaurants in Puerto Morelos to welcome the New Year with family and friends, join us for the best VIP party in town!
Holly Jolly Christmas in PM
Happy Holidays from all of us at XPM! There is a lot of Christmas cheer happening all over town, and we wanted to be sure to create a space where you’d find the information you need to make the most of your visit to our lovely little slice of paradise. Below you’ll find two sections – one of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meal specials (with separate sections for portside vs colonia locations) and the other of Christmas events. We hope to see you out and about enjoying all the festivities!
US Thanksgiving in Puerto Morelos
Wherever you decide to spend your Thanksgiving, we hope that you’re able to gather with family or friends and enjoy each other’s company. Here at Experience Puerto Morelos, we want to say that we’re so thankful for each and every one of you who follows our social media and who uses our business directory and blogs while you’re here exploring our beautiful town. We have so much to be grateful for, don’t we?
Halloween and Day of the Dead 2024
“There is always something to celebrate in Mexico, but Halloween at La Sirena and Día de Muertos 2024 are two events that you can not miss in Puerto Morelos! Read on for more information about what you can expect this year and check back frequently as we’ll update the blog as more information is released!”
There are other traditional holidays or celebrations, but that are not national holidays. On these days you are likely to find local celebrations, especially at the Catholic churches or more colonial cities, but banks and businesses will largely be open.
- January 6: Three Kings Day
- February 2: Candelaria Day
- February 21-24: Carnaval Puerto Morelos
- April 13th – April 19th: Holy Week: Called Semana Santa in Spanish), you can expect to see a higher number of Mexican visitors from other parts of the country, as well as a high number of foreigners visiting as it coincides with many Spring Break vacations too.
- April 17: Holy Thursday
- April 18: Good Friday
- Nov. 1-2: Day of the Dead
- Dec. 12: Virgin of Guadalupe
Note that Cinco de Mayo is NOT one of the holidays celebrated here in Puerto Morelos. Based on how much it is celebrated in the US, many think that it is Mexican Independence Day, but it is not. May 5th is actually the date that Mexico won the Battle of Puebla over the French in 1862, so Puebla is the only place that it is traditionally celebrated in Mexico.
Existen otros días que son de tradiciones o costumbres, pero no son feriados nacionales. En estas fechas es común encontrar celebraciones locales, especialmente en iglesias católicas o en ciudades más coloniales, pero la mayoría de los bancos y negocios permanecerán abiertos.
- 6 de enero: Día de los Reyes Magos
- 2 de febrero: Día de la Candelaria
- 21 al 24 de febrero: Carnaval Puerto Morelos
- 13 al 19 de abril: Semana Santa – Durante estos días, habrá un mayor número de visitantes mexicanos de otras partes del país, así como un alto número de turistas extranjeros, ya que coincide con las vacaciones de Spring Break.
- 17 de abril: Jueves Santo
- 18 de abril: Viernes Santo
- 1 y 2 de noviembre: Día de los Muertos
- 12 de diciembre: Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Ten en cuenta que el 5 de mayo NO es un día que se celebra en Puerto Morelos. Debido a la gran celebración que tiene en Estados Unidos, muchos piensan que ese el Día de la Independencia de México, pero no lo es. El 5 de mayo conmemora la victoria de México en la Batalla de Puebla contra los franceses en 1862, por lo que tradicionalmente solo se celebra en el estado de Puebla.
Want to find out more about local events and holidays? Stay tuned to the Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos Facebook page (in Spanish) or the XPM event page for more details. Note that many of the events put on around town are not published until 1-2 weeks beforehand.
¿Quieres saber más sobre eventos y días festivos locales? Mantente atento a la página de Facebook del Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos (en español) o a la página de eventos de XPM para más detalles. Ten en cuenta que muchos de los eventos organizados en la ciudad no se publican hasta 1 o 2 semanas antes.
