Or you can visit the Acropolis museum which remains open, with free entrance. Apart from being an important day in Greek history, the 25th of March coincides with a religious celebration, the Annunciation to the Virgin. This was when Angel Gabriel announced to Virgin Mary that she would give birth to a son, who would be called Jesus Christ. The Carnival season begins ten weeks before Easter Sunday, and lasts for three weeks.
This is one of the most important Mexican celebrations and it’s often compared to a wedding. The Cervantino Festival is a cultural festival that is a huge event throughout the city of Guanajuato. The festival began in the mid-20th century when Miguel de Cervantes’ plays called ‘entremeses’ were performed in city plazas. On April 30th in Mexico, children are showered with gifts, candy, and toys. On the third Monday of November, Dia de la Revolucion is celebrated to mark the start of the Mexican revolution.
- Piñatas are usually made out of papier-mâché these days but they were originally made from clay.
- A large display of fireworks would mark the start of the party before the party began.
- Munich is home to a gathering of one of the largest folk festivals in the world.
- This festival celebrates the indigenous cultures of Mexico and features traditional music, dance, and food.
Further Reading on Mexico
Discover the history, traditions, and ways people around the world express affection on February 14th through gifts, romantic gestures, and special events. You may be familiar with one of the most famous festivals of the dead, Día de Muertos, which originated in Mexico. Like the Obon Festival, it is a time for family and friends to honor the dead. Holiday meals often hold symbolic value, representing cultural heritage and shared history, with traditions and recipes passed down through generations. A quinceañera is a coming-of-age celebration for girls who turn 15 years old.
Printable Holiday Cards
Visitors can enjoy free entrance to all the ancient sites and public museums in the country. As part of the traditions, people place food offerings on graves or family altars. The celebrations also include special dances, known as Bon Odori, which are specific to each region.
Day of the Dead Dancers
These may include religious holidays, harvest festivals, and cultural events that are observed annually. When it comes to celebrating, there are countless ways to mark special occasions and create lasting memories. From traditional holidays to personal milestones, celebrations play a significant role in cultures around the world.
- Throughout the Holy Week, people attend various masses at the Greek Orthodox church.
- Jarabe Tapatío, also known as the Mexican hat dance, is arguably the most well-known traditional Mexican folk dance that is often performed at festivals and celebrations.
- These celebrations often involve rituals, traditions, and shared experiences that bind communities together.
- These celebrations often involve gift-giving, parties, special events, and other ways to honor and recognize the achievements and milestones of individuals.
- Mexicans show their patriotic spirit on Independence Day by joyfully blowing whistles and horns, throwing confetti, and chanting “Viva Mexico!
- Jake is a freelance writer from the United Kingdom who’s currently living in Mexico.
Celebrations Today
Celebrations play a vital role in bringing people together, fostering a sense of community, and preserving cultural traditions and practices. By recognizing and participating in various types of celebrations, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of human culture and society. Whether religious, national, personal, cultural, or seasonal, celebrations provide us with an opportunity to connect, share, and rejoice in the moments that matter most. This article highlights the most important national holidays, cultural events, religious festivals and other special days in Greece.
The festival of death in Mexico
In Greek, Epiphany is called Theofania or Fota, and celebrations is celebrated in a very unique way. Priests everywhere in Greece throw a cross in the sea, and people dive in the cold water to retrieve it. New York City is home to some of the most iconic holiday parades, musicals and art exhibitions in the world.
Songkran Water Festival
Better known as bullfighting, this is a traditional contest that involves a matador (swordsman) and a bull. The origins of this sport come from the need to provide entertainment for the Spanish soldiers stationed in Mexico. In Puerto Vallarta, you can see this spectacle every evening on the Malecon at 6 pm, alongside the stunning sunsets the seaside city has to offer.
The most famous religious festival in Greece is Greek Orthodox Easter, an important celebration with unique local customs. Apart from the religious feasts on 15th August, many more panigiria happen in Greece throughout the year, celebrating the area’s patron saint. In 2025, the Holy Spirit Monday falls on 9 June, and it’s a good opportunity for a long weekend. If you are travelling by ferry over those days, it’s recommended to book your ferry tickets in advance. On Easter Sunday, Greek families gather together to feast on specially prepared Easter meal, like lamb on the spit and red eggs.
Examples of cultural celebrations include Chinese New Year, Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, and Carnival. The Guelaguetza Festival is a two-week celebration that takes place in Oaxaca. This festival celebrates the indigenous cultures of Mexico and features traditional music, dance, and food. The Guelaguetza Festival culminates with a parade called Lunes del Cerro on the last Monday of July.
Archaeological sites, museums and all stores remain closed on Independence Day. One of my favourite Greece festivals is the Greek Carnival, or Apokries in Greek. Unlike other carnivals, it’s not very well-known outside Greece, yet it’s a fantastic time of the year to be here. As for New Year’s Eve, Greeks usually celebrate with family and friends. Long dinners, card games but also bar-hopping or clubbing are all common ways to celebrate the New Year. J’ouvert, which means « daybreak » or « opening of the day » in French Creole, marks the start of the Carnival celebrations across the Bank Holiday weekend.
Dia de Santa Cecilia is the celebration of the patron saint of musicians, Saint Cecilia. On Dia de Santa Cecilia, musical concerts and events are held in cities and towns across the country. This Mexican holiday is a time for people to celebrate their traditional music. Many people also attend church services and enjoy a large feast with family and friends. Traditional Easter foods in Mexico are mostly fish dishes as Catholics not being allowed to eat meat during these times. Even though it’s one of the biggest Mexican holidays, many Mexicans take the chance to travel to different parts of the country.
