What are the holidays of Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?

There are two different kinds of holidays in Chapala and Ajijic. There are religious holidays and there are national holidays. The religious holidays usually last more than a week and you would see lots of fireworks. Some expats especially do not like fireworks because they usually start at 5 in the morning. If you live in a neighborhood where there is a festivity, you need to get to know that every year, at that time of year, they will start lighting up fireworks at 5 AM. They have...

There are two different kinds of holidays in Chapala and Ajijic. There are religious holidays and there are national holidays. The religious holidays usually last more than a week and you would see lots of fireworks. Some expats especially do not like fireworks because they usually start at 5 in the morning. If you live in a neighborhood where there is a festivity, you need to get to know that every year, at that time of year, they will start lighting up fireworks at 5 AM. They have processions, they ring the bells of the churches, etc. You can opt to participate or not and you are not obliged to join the festivities just because you are in the middle of town.

 

The national festivities are a little difficult to keep track of for people who don’t have a Mexican calendar. For example, you would think that everything would be closed on the 5th of May for the celebration of Cinco de Mayo but in Mexico, it is not celebrated the way it is celebrated in America by Latin people. Here in Mexico, May 5th is a normal day. We don’t have parades or any kind of special celebrations. But if you are going to do transactions with offices, it would be best to call the offices first to see if they are open because some businesses and government offices opt to remain open during May 5th and then they are closed the next day, May 6th. These are things that you have to be aware of when you are in Mexico.  

 

(Fireworks with ceremonial dancers, Mexico, pictured.)

There are holidays in Chapala and Ajijic every week, so we have many festivities around. Mexican towns are always looking for something to celebrate with fireworks. Fireworks and roosters are included in our database. 

 

For example, we have the Day of the Dead, which starts on the night of November 1 and lasts until November 2. It’s very beautiful all around the country, and here in Ajijic, anyone can join the parade. People paint their faces to...

There are holidays in Chapala and Ajijic every week, so we have many festivities around. Mexican towns are always looking for something to celebrate with fireworks. Fireworks and roosters are included in our database. 

 

For example, we have the Day of the Dead, which starts on the night of November 1 and lasts until November 2. It’s very beautiful all around the country, and here in Ajijic, anyone can join the parade. People paint their faces to look like skulls and celebrate on the streets. 

 

There is a festivity for the lake that’s unique to Chapala. The Huichol  are native Indians from Mexico who believe that there are different centers of power around the country, and one of those is Scorpion Island here Chapala. Once a year, people from all around the country come to Ajijic, and they go on boats to visit a sacred stone. 

 

 

In October, we have a celebration called the La Fiesta del Rosario. Each town has its own saint, and for Chapala it’s St. Rosario. During the La Fiesta del Rosario celebration, they close a certain street for nine days, and they bring fairy games and electric games for the kids, and setup a bar on the streets for the adults. There’s live music everywhere, and everyone, including expats, go out to get drunk and have fun.  

 

(Huichol Indians, Mexico, pictured.)