Events & Holidays
What's happening in Mazatlan — cultural events from the city's tourism board, plus Mexican holidays every expat should know about.
Upcoming Cultural Events
From Cultura Mazatlán — the city's official cultural events board. Updated automatically.
They promote a love of reading and the arts in the CMA summer courses
With recreational activities that awaken the imagination and strengthen the habit of reading, the Literature workshop ha…
Historic Event: For the First Time, an Entire EPDM Graduating Class Invited to Perform on the Country’s Main Stages
The 24th Graduating Class marks an unprecedented milestone by being invited as a whole to residencies and festivals in X…
Awakening a Passion for Art in New Generations
Healthy interaction, games, and guidance from highly trained staff with a deep artistic vocation have been key to the re…
Vanessa Gama Takes a Decisive Step in Her Career with The Magic Flute
Mazatlán native Vanessa Gama continues her artistic growth by joining the cast of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera The Ma…
Julio César Serafín Finds Inspiration at the CMA to Transform Mazatlán into Art
For artist Julio César Serafín, exhibiting in the show “Line, Stroke, and Form” represents an opportunity to share his p…
Study folk dance and live the traditions of Mexico
If you like to dance and want to expand your knowledge about Mexican culture, its customs, sounds and flavors, the Munic…
The CMA Summer Course awakens creativity and love for the arts
Girls, boys and adolescents enjoy an experience full of learning and creativity in the Summer Course of the Municipal Ce…
With his sculpture-pictorial proposal, Ulises Murillo expands the dialogue of contemporary painting
The exhibition “Line, Stroke and Shape”, which brings together the final projects of the students of the Technical Degre…
Is the stage calling you? Study at the CMA and take advantage of the opportunity to make it yours
The Municipal Arts Center invites all people interested in developing their performing talent to participate in audition…
Sylvana Vázquez Michel turns memory and identity into artistic language
Childhood, family, Japanese culture, everyday memories and the search for one's own voice converge in the artistic propo…
Mexican Holidays Calendar
Holidays that will affect your daily life in Mazatlan — when banks close, when to book restaurants early, and celebrations you won't want to miss.
Independence Day
Día de la Independencia
The big one. The night of September 15 ("El Grito") features the president's cry of independence, followed by fireworks. September 16 is the official holiday with parades and celebrations.
Day of the Dead
Día de los Muertos
November 1-2. Families honor deceased loved ones with altars (ofrendas), marigolds, sugar skulls, and cemetery visits. Not Halloween — it's a beautiful, meaningful tradition. Mazatlan's celebrations are more intimate than Mexico City's.
Revolution Day
Día de la Revolución
Commemorates the start of the 1910 Mexican Revolution. Official holiday observed the third Monday of November. Banks and government offices close.
* Date varies by year
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Mexico's patron saint day. Processions, church services, and celebrations across the city. Not an official day off, but deeply important — you'll hear fireworks starting at dawn.
Christmas
Navidad
Official holiday. Mexican Christmas centers on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) — big family dinners, tamales, ponche, and midnight mass. December 25 is quieter. Many businesses close Dec 24-Jan 1.
New Year's Day
Año Nuevo
National holiday. Everything closes. Mazatlan celebrates with fireworks along the Malecón and beach parties.
Three Kings Day
Día de Reyes
When Mexican kids traditionally receive gifts (not Dec 25). Families eat Rosca de Reyes — a sweet bread with hidden figurines. If you find one, you're hosting the party on Feb 2.
Candelaria Day
Día de la Candelaria
If you found the figurine in the Rosca de Reyes, today you bring tamales for everyone. Tamale vendors are everywhere. A fun, food-centered tradition.