Mexico has 7 official federal public holidays (días de descanso obligatorio) each year, where banks, government offices, and most workplaces close, and employees get a paid day off. But the full cultural calendar runs much deeper, with major observances like Day of the Dead and Holy Week shaping travel and daily life across the country, even though they're not always legally mandated rest days. This feed covers you for the dates that matter most, in one reminder. Click the green Configure button and choose how far ahead you want to be alerted.
Why use a reminder for Mexican public holidays?
- Know what's actually closed: Banks and government offices reliably close on the 7 official holidays — knowing in advance saves a wasted trip for paperwork or transactions.
- Don't get caught off guard at work: Under Mexican labor law, employees who do work an official holiday are entitled to triple pay — useful to know whether you're the employer or the employee.
- Plan around the long weekends: Since 2006, several holidays — like Constitution Day and Benito Juárez's Birthday — were deliberately moved to the nearest Monday specifically to create three-day weekends and boost domestic tourism. A reminder means you don't miss the planning window.
- Travel demand spikes fast: Around major dates like Independence Day or Day of the Dead, flights and hotels fill up quickly — a heads-up days or weeks in advance gives you time to book before prices climb.
The 7 official holidays
New Year's Day, Constitution Day (first Monday of February), Benito Juárez's Birthday (third Monday of March), Labour Day (May 1st), Independence Day (September 16th), Revolution Day (third Monday of November), and Christmas Day.
Mexico's biggest celebration isn't a federal holiday
Independence Day is widely considered Mexico's most important national date — and the real celebration actually happens the night before, on September 15th, when the President performs the "Grito de Dolores" ("Cry of Dolores"), reenacting Miguel Hidalgo's 1810 call to arms that began the War of Independence. It's followed by fireworks, mariachi music, and parades nationwide on the 16th.
Meanwhile, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), observed primarily on November 1st and 2nd, isn't an official federal holiday at all — yet it's one of the most recognizable Mexican traditions worldwide, with families building ofrendas decorated in marigolds, candles, and photographs to honor deceased loved ones.
Worth knowing
Cinco de Mayo, despite its international fame, is not a major holiday in most of Mexico — it commemorates a single 1862 military victory in the city of Puebla and is mainly celebrated there. The bigger Mexican holidays of significance are Independence Day and the Revolution Day anniversary.
So whether you're tracking bank closures, planning a long weekend, or just want to catch the cultural calendar without missing a beat, click that green Configure button and let the dates come to you.