The Aztec country has a great variety of traditions that make its gastronomy unique and known worldwide.
When we think of Mexican traditions, an indispensable one is Mexican gastronomy and its most typical dish, tacos. However, there are a number of Mexican festivities that make the Aztec country unique.
Mexican fiestas are a colourful and vibrant celebration of Mexican culture. These festivities often include music, dance, traditional food and fireworks displays, and are an opportunity for people to gather and celebrate together.
Traditional Mexican festivities
Some of the traditional Mexican festivals are the following:
Veracruz Carnival
The Veracruz Carnival is one of the most important and popular festivities in Mexico. It is celebrated every year in the city of Veracruz, on the east coast of Mexico, during the days leading up to the beginning of Lent.
During the carnival, the city is filled with colour, music, dance and parades, featuring troupes and music groups. Participants wear elaborate costumes and masks, and are organised into different groups and comparsas that compete against each other.
The festival has roots in European, African and indigenous traditions, and is considered an expression of Veracruz culture and identity.
The Veracruz Carnival is one of the largest and oldest carnivals in Mexico, and attracts tourists and visitors from all over the world.
National Donkey Fair
The National Donkey Fair is an annual celebration held in the city of Otumba, in the state of Mexico, Mexico. The fair is held in honour of the donkey, which has been an important part of the history and culture of the region.
During the fair, there are parades, competitions, races and donkey beauty contests, as well as music, dance and theatre performances. Visitors can also enjoy local food and products, such as pulque and barbacoa.
The National Donkey Fair is an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the region, as well as to celebrate and preserve the importance of this animal species so important to human civilisation even today.
Guelaguetza
The Guelaguetza is a traditional festival held in the city of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, every year on the last two Mondays of July.
During the Guelaguetza, the inhabitants of the region gather to showcase and share their cultural and artistic traditions.
Participants wear traditional costumes, play music, dance and present different artistic expressions, such as embroidery, pottery, wood carving and textile making.
The festival has indigenous roots and is considered a celebration of the diversity and cultural richness of the region. The Guelaguetza is one of the most important and renowned festivities in Mexico, attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world.
Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead is one of the most important and symbolic festivities in Mexico. It is celebrated on 31 October, 1 and 2 November each year and has its roots in the pre-Hispanic culture of the Mesoamerican peoples.
During the Day of the Dead, it is believed that the spirits of the dead return to the world of the living to be reunited with their loved ones.
To honour them, families build altars with offerings of food, drink and personal objects, and visit the graves of their loved ones to clean and decorate them with flowers and candles.
In addition, parades and theatrical performances are organised, and food and sweets typical of the holiday, such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and hot chocolate, are eaten.
The Day of the Dead is a festivity deeply rooted in Mexican culture and identity, and has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is an important commemorative date in Mexico, celebrated on 5 May every year.
This day commemorates the Battle of Puebla, which took place on 5 May 1862, when the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the French army, which was considered one of the most powerful in the world at the time.
Although Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla did not change the course of the war against France, it became an important symbol of the resistance and determination of the Mexican people.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated throughout the country with parades, festivals and other cultural and patriotic activities. In addition, Cinco de Mayo has become a date of celebration of Mexican culture in the United States and other countries.In La Taqueria de Birra we are experts in tacos and Mexican food since 1989, so if you want to taste some tacos in the purest Mexican style and discover more about their culture and customs in a unique environment in which to transport yourself to the Aztec country, do not wait any longer and come and meet us in La Taqueria de Birra Calle Don Pedro, 11 and La Taqueria de Birra Plaza de las Comendadoras, 2.
