January 1: Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) is celebrated throughout the region with a midnight dance and the burning of an effigy representing the old year. 

January 6: El Día de Los Reyes (Feast of the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day) is the traditional day of gift-giving when children receive their presents brought by the three wise men. A traditional cake is served called Rosca de Reyes (King's cake).

Feb. 2: La Candeleria (Candlemas). The final Christmas fiesta, hosted by whoever got the small plastic Jesus (El Niño) in their piece of King's cake on January 6th. Traditional drink and food such as tamales are served. 

February 5: Aniversario de la Constitución Mexicana (Constitution Day). An official holiday honoring the Mexican constitution. Schools, banks and government offices are closed. 

February 24: Día de la Bandera, (Flag Day). One week before this holiday the streets are filled with flag vendors. Adults decorate their cars with them and school children participate in a flag ceremony singing patriotic songs about their flag. 

February-March Carnaval (Mardi Gras) is a weeklong blow out before Lent with outlandish parades, floats, dance contests, fireworks and outdoor dances (that last well into the wee hours). Both Cancun and Cozumel are famous for their flamboyant carnival parades in which the whole city participates dancing through the street for days on end. Smaller villages will also have bullfights and circuses. 

March 21: Aniversario de Benito Juárez (Birthday of Benito Juárez). This holiday celebrates Benito Juarez's Birthday, one of Mexico's greatest heroes. There are parades and sometimes fireworks. Government offices, schools and some businesses are closed. 

March 21-22: Inicio Primavera (Spring Equinox) at Chichen-Itza. In the late afternoon when the sun hits the steps of the El Castillo Pyramid, a shadow forms in the shape of serpent. The snake, symbolizing the great plumed serpent deity, Kukulcán, appears to be slithering down to earth. Thousands attend this remarkable display of Maya astrology and mathematics. Book your hotel room early. 

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