Mexico's 2026 public-holiday calendar matters more than most travelers realize — banks close, major museums adjust hours, and beach hotel prices double for Semana Santa and the Día de Muertos week. Here's the full federal calendar plus the observed holidays that affect day-to-day travel.
Holiday observance can vary by state and year — verify dates with the Mexican government's official calendar (gob.mx) before booking critical travel.
Federal Holidays 2026 (Días de Descanso Obligatorio)
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|
| Jan 1 (Thu) | New Year's Day | Banks closed; most tourist businesses open. |
| Feb 2 (Mon) | Constitution Day | Observed first Monday of Feb. |
| Mar 16 (Mon) | Benito Juárez Birthday | Observed third Monday of March. |
| May 1 (Fri) | Labor Day | Banks closed; long weekend domestic travel. |
| Sep 16 (Wed) | Independence Day | Most things closed; Grito the night before. |
| Oct 1 (Thu) | Presidential Inauguration (every 6 yrs) | Not an inauguration year in 2026 — skip. |
| Nov 16 (Mon) | Revolution Day | Observed third Monday of November. |
| Dec 25 (Fri) | Christmas Day | Banks and most businesses closed. |
🧮
Mexico Trip Cost Calculator
Plan around Mexican holidays for the best prices.
Observed (Non-Federal) Holidays Tourists Notice
- Three Kings Day (Jan 6): Banks open, but families gather; some restaurants close evenings.
- Valentine's Day (Feb 14): Restaurants packed, especially in CDMX, Cancun and PV.
- Holy Week (Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2026): Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are bank holidays. Beach destinations sell out.
- Mother's Day (May 10): Always May 10 in Mexico (not the second Sunday). Restaurants packed.
- Día de los Niños (Apr 30): Family parks busy.
- Día de Muertos (Nov 1–2): Not a federal day off but the most culturally significant tourism event.
- Virgin of Guadalupe Day (Dec 12): Major religious observance, pilgrimages to Basilica de Guadalupe in CDMX.
- Las Posadas (Dec 16–24): Nightly community celebrations leading to Christmas.
Día de Muertos — Plan 6 Months Out
October 31 – November 2 is when families build ofrendas (altars) for departed loved ones. The biggest tourist destinations:
- Oaxaca: The most famous Día de Muertos celebrations. Hotels book up by August; expect 2–3x normal rates.
- Mexico City (Coyoacán, Mixquic, Xochimilco): Massive parade Saturday before Nov 2; cemeteries open overnight in Mixquic.
- Pátzcuaro / Janitzio (Michoacán): Lakeside cemetery vigils — book a year ahead.
- Mérida: Hanal Pixán, the Yucatec Mayan version, with regional foods.
Día de Muertos is deeply meaningful, not Halloween. Dress respectfully at cemetery visits and don't step on or photograph altars without permission.
What Closes on Federal Holidays
- All banks (use ATMs).
- All government offices and INM (immigration) — plan FMM extensions around this.
- Most consulates (US, Canadian, UK consulates close on local holidays).
- Some chain pharmacies; major chains stay open.
- Public schools and most universities.
- Stock exchange (BMV).
- Open as normal: Tourist hotels, restaurants, OXXO, supermarkets, Uber, airlines, museums (with adjusted hours).
Travel Impact
| Period | Impact | Tourist Strategy |
|---|
| Jan 1–6 | Domestic travel busy | Beach prices high; book early. |
| Mar 30 – Apr 5 (Semana Santa) | Most expensive week | Avoid beaches if possible. |
| Jul 15 – Aug 20 (school break) | Domestic family travel peak | Inland cooler destinations cheaper than coast. |
| Sep 16 | Grito celebrations | Witness the Grito at Zócalo CDMX night of Sep 15. |
| Oct 28 – Nov 3 (Muertos) | Oaxaca/CDMX peak | Book 6 months out. |
| Dec 18 – Jan 5 | Holiday peak | Cancun/Cabo at maximum prices; inland quiet. |
Mexico's 2026 public-holiday calendar matters more than most travelers realize — banks close, major museums adjust hours, and beach hotel prices double for Semana Santa and the Día de Muertos week. Here's the full federal calendar plus the observed holidays that affect day-to-day travel.
Holiday observance can vary by state and year — verify dates with the Mexican government's official calendar (gob.mx) before booking critical travel.
Federal Holidays 2026 (Días de Descanso Obligatorio)
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|
| Jan 1 (Thu) | New Year's Day | Banks closed; most tourist businesses open. |
| Feb 2 (Mon) | Constitution Day | Observed first Monday of Feb. |
| Mar 16 (Mon) | Benito Juárez Birthday | Observed third Monday of March. |
| May 1 (Fri) | Labor Day | Banks closed; long weekend domestic travel. |
| Sep 16 (Wed) | Independence Day | Most things closed; Grito the night before. |
| Oct 1 (Thu) | Presidential Inauguration (every 6 yrs) | Not an inauguration year in 2026 — skip. |
| Nov 16 (Mon) | Revolution Day | Observed third Monday of November. |
| Dec 25 (Fri) | Christmas Day | Banks and most businesses closed. |
🧮
Mexico Trip Cost Calculator
Plan around Mexican holidays for the best prices.
Observed (Non-Federal) Holidays Tourists Notice
- Three Kings Day (Jan 6): Banks open, but families gather; some restaurants close evenings.
- Valentine's Day (Feb 14): Restaurants packed, especially in CDMX, Cancun and PV.
- Holy Week (Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2026): Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are bank holidays. Beach destinations sell out.
- Mother's Day (May 10): Always May 10 in Mexico (not the second Sunday). Restaurants packed.
- Día de los Niños (Apr 30): Family parks busy.
- Día de Muertos (Nov 1–2): Not a federal day off but the most culturally significant tourism event.
- Virgin of Guadalupe Day (Dec 12): Major religious observance, pilgrimages to Basilica de Guadalupe in CDMX.
- Las Posadas (Dec 16–24): Nightly community celebrations leading to Christmas.
Día de Muertos — Plan 6 Months Out
October 31 – November 2 is when families build ofrendas (altars) for departed loved ones. The biggest tourist destinations:
- Oaxaca: The most famous Día de Muertos celebrations. Hotels book up by August; expect 2–3x normal rates.
- Mexico City (Coyoacán, Mixquic, Xochimilco): Massive parade Saturday before Nov 2; cemeteries open overnight in Mixquic.
- Pátzcuaro / Janitzio (Michoacán): Lakeside cemetery vigils — book a year ahead.
- Mérida: Hanal Pixán, the Yucatec Mayan version, with regional foods.
Día de Muertos is deeply meaningful, not Halloween. Dress respectfully at cemetery visits and don't step on or photograph altars without permission.
What Closes on Federal Holidays
- All banks (use ATMs).
- All government offices and INM (immigration) — plan FMM extensions around this.
- Most consulates (US, Canadian, UK consulates close on local holidays).
- Some chain pharmacies; major chains stay open.
- Public schools and most universities.
- Stock exchange (BMV).
- Open as normal: Tourist hotels, restaurants, OXXO, supermarkets, Uber, airlines, museums (with adjusted hours).
Travel Impact
| Period | Impact | Tourist Strategy |
|---|
| Jan 1–6 | Domestic travel busy | Beach prices high; book early. |
| Mar 30 – Apr 5 (Semana Santa) | Most expensive week | Avoid beaches if possible. |
| Jul 15 – Aug 20 (school break) | Domestic family travel peak | Inland cooler destinations cheaper than coast. |
| Sep 16 | Grito celebrations | Witness the Grito at Zócalo CDMX night of Sep 15. |
| Oct 28 – Nov 3 (Muertos) | Oaxaca/CDMX peak | Book 6 months out. |
| Dec 18 – Jan 5 | Holiday peak | Cancun/Cabo at maximum prices; inland quiet. |