Public Holidays in Mexico 2026 – National & Cultural Holidays
Mexico observes a mix of federal statutory holidays, bank holidays, and widely observed religious and civic days. Only certain dates are mandated by law as paid holidays for workers; others are observed by banks or in specific states.
Overview of Mexico’s Public Holidays
The Federal Labor Law (Ley Federal del Trabajo) designates several national holidays (días de descanso obligatorio) during which most employees are entitled to a paid day off. In addition, some bank holidays and religious observances are widely respected though not legally required for all sectors (for example, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe). When holidays fall on weekends, observance rules differ depending on the holiday type.
Long weekends around statutory holidays are popular for domestic travel, with many people exploring destinations highlighted in places to visit in Mexico or booking short stays through options listed under best hotels in Mexico.
Public Holidays in Mexico 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) | Statutory holiday |
| February 2 | Monday | Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) | First Monday of February; statutory |
| March 16 | Monday | Benito Juárez’s Birthday (Natalicio de Benito Juárez) | Third Monday of March; statutory |
| April 2 | Thursday | Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) | Bank / religious observance (not statutory) |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | Bank / religious observance (widely observed) |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) | Statutory holiday |
| September 16 | Wednesday | Independence Day (Grito de Dolores) | Statutory national holiday |
| October 12 | Monday | Day of the Race (Día de la Raza) | Widespread cultural observance |
| November 2 | Monday | Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) | Bank / cultural observance |
| November 16 | Monday | Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución) | Third Monday of November; statutory |
| December 12 | Saturday | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Bank / religious observance |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day (Navidad) | Statutory holiday |
Public Holidays in Mexico 2025
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) | Statutory holiday |
| February 3 | Monday | Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) | First Monday of February; statutory |
| March 17 | Monday | Benito Juárez’s Birthday (Natalicio de Benito Juárez) | Third Monday of March; statutory |
| April 17 | Thursday | Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) | Bank / religious observance |
| April 18 | Friday | Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | Bank / religious observance |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) | Statutory holiday |
| May 5 | Monday | Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) | Observed mainly in Puebla |
| September 16 | Tuesday | Independence Day (Grito de Dolores) | Statutory national holiday |
| October 12 | Sunday | Day of the Race (Día de la Raza) | Widespread cultural observance |
| November 2 | Sunday | Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) | Bank / cultural observance |
| November 17 | Monday | Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución) | Third Monday of November; statutory |
| December 12 | Friday | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Bank / religious observance |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day (Navidad) | Statutory holiday |
Observations & Notes
- Mexico has seven statutory federal holidays mandated by labor law.
- Several bank, cultural, and religious observances are widely respected but not mandatory nationwide.
- Holidays tied to Mondays (Constitution Day, Benito Juárez’s Birthday, Revolution Day) are officially shifted to create long weekends.
- For another country with a layered system of statutory and widely observed holidays, see Public Holidays in Mauritius.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many official federal holidays does Mexico have in 2026?
Mexico has seven statutory federal holidays in 2026 during which most workers are entitled to a paid day off.
Are Holy Thursday and Good Friday public holidays?
They are widely observed, especially by banks and schools, but they are not mandatory federal paid holidays.
Why are some holidays always on Mondays?
Mexican law shifts certain commemorations to Mondays to create long weekends and support domestic travel.
Is Cinco de Mayo a national holiday?
No. It is mainly observed in Puebla and is not one of the federal statutory holidays.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Mexico balance legal labor protections with cultural and religious traditions. Understanding which dates are statutory, bank-only, or widely observed helps workers and travelers plan effectively across regions and sectors.
