Day of the Dead
31 October – 2 November. Best places: Oaxaca, Mexico City, Pátzcuaro, San Andrés Mixquic. Book accommodation 6+ months ahead.
Guelaguetza
Two Mondays in late July. Indigenous dance festival in Oaxaca city. The official tickets sell out months in advance, but free street performances happen all week.
Independence Day
15–16 September. The Grito de Independencia in every town zócalo at 11pm on the 15th. Mexico City's celebration is the biggest.
Carnival
Late February or early March. Best in Veracruz, Mazatlán and Cozumel.
Christmas
Las Posadas (16–24 December) are nightly processions and parties. Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) is the main celebration, not Christmas Day.