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Aguascalientes is a small state but it has a great tradition of celebration. A great example is the San Marcos Fair, one of the most important fairs in the entire country.

San Marcos Fair
Aguascalientes
Mid-April to Mid-May

Every year, Aguascalientes takes great pride in hosting the most famous fair in the nation, the internationally known, San Marcos Fair. The fair takes place from mid-April to mid-May with rooster fights that take place in the largest arena in Latin America, an elegant casino, and various presentations from national and international artists. The fair also has magnificent bullfights with well-known bullfighters held in the original and beautiful bull ring decorated with stone porticos and platforms. Other features are the National Poetry Prize, competitions, and interesting agriculture, cattle ranching and industrial exhibitions.

Romería de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
August 1-15

This festival lasts several days and displays products from the region like peaches, grapes, guavas, elaborate fruit candy, table wines, etc. The festival ends with a parade of cars decorated with fruit and other fun activities.

The Grape and New Wine Festival
Aguascalientes
First Week of September

The viticulturists in the area gather for this festival which consists of a parade, dances and a variety of activities.

Calaveras (Skull) Festival
Aguascalientes
Last Week of October and First Week of November

This event takes places near the De la Cruz Cemetery. It is a beautiful and important tradition that is celebrated in different ways in many different regions of Mexico. At the festival you’ll find skull-shaped candy and skulls made of mud in all shapes and sizes as well as games and seasonal fruits.

Señor del Encino Fair
November 4-14

This event is held in the surrounding areas of the Señor del Encino garden to pay tribute to the Black Christ that is kept inside the Encino Church. This beautiful church was built in the 18th century and has its original baroque style facade with murals created by Andrés López. This is a religious festival with many fun activities.

The Virgin of Guadalupe Fair
December 4-12

This fair takes place in the Guadalupe garden and its surroundings with games, fireworks, popular indigenous dances and seasonal fruits.

Our Lady of Belén Festival

This is a commercial and cattle ranching exposition that takes place on the last Sunday of January.

Calvillo Festival of Señor del Salitre

This festival is celebrated in May, on the Thursday of the Ascension.

Guava Fair

This fair takes place on December 1-15 with commercial, agricultural and art exhibits.

Santiago Apóstol Festival (The Chicahuales Fair)
Jesús María
July 25

Every year, on July 25th, this event is celebrated with battles between the Moors and the Christians, craftsmen, rooster fights, running of the bulls and the traditional dance of the Chicahuales.

The Revolution Fair
Pabellón de Arteaga
November 14-27

Enjoy the Revolutionary Parade and the commercial and cattle ranching exhibits.

Agrícola Regional Festival
Aguascalientes
January

This festival is held on the third Sunday in January and offers a large agricultural, cattle ranching and arts and crafts expo, as well as the traditional running of the bulls, rooster fights and regional dances.

San José de Gracia
Regional Corn Fair
January 5-8

This festival features a parade that commemorates the agricultural reform of January 6, 1915, burro races, and an agricultural, educational and industrial expo.

Grito de Independencia (Shout of Independence)
All cities in country
September 15

On the night of September 15, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a catholic priest, called for independence, urging the town to raise arms against the tyranny and excessive abuse of the government of New Spain. This war would last for 11 years and come to an end on September 28, 1821 with the “Plan de Iguala” (a plan signed at the city of Iguala) and the triumphant entrance of the "Ejercito Trigarante" (Army of the Three Guarantees) to the City of Mexico. Mexico’s independence is celebrated every year in most of the cities of the republic. In the middle of this great festival, the presidents of the municipalities, the governors and the President shout to the four winds Long live Mexico! Long live Hidalgo! Long live the heroes who gave the mother country its freedom! (among others). A bell then sounds to imitate Hidalgo’s call that night in 1810. The night of September 15th is well known as the night of the shout of independence and is shortened to “The Shout”. Food, fireworks, excitement and much celebration can all be found in one of Mexico’s greatest celebrations. September 16th is a holiday because it is considered the official start date of the war of independence.

Day of the Dead
All cities in the country
November 2

The Day of the Dead celebration is the most important in the nation and is celebrated in various ways throughout the country. Every year, on November 2nd, the cemeteries are full of people bringing their families food, drink, music and company. The cemeteries are turned into places of true celebration…the most folkloric celebration in the Aztec nation.

In general, the Day of the Dead is accompanied by a competition for the best altar. Setups are created to remember the deceased. These include items like photographs, their favorite food and drink and objects that are associated with that person.

Another activity on the Day of the Dead that is also very peculiar is the “skull” competition. The skulls are verses composed to usually be funny by rhyming and making people laugh. The best skull receives the award.

Bakeries also make a special bread for this celebration called “Pan de Muerto” or “Bread of the Dead”. It has a special shape and recipe that is only used on this day.

November 20th, Day of the Revolution
All cities in the country
November 20

On November 20, 1910, the Mexican Social Revolution began. This is an historical date for a country that was seeking a better government, equality and justice. The movement was started by the heroes and visionaries of Mexico, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata among others. This date is celebrated every year with a parade of soldiers, military personnel, and educational institutions through the streets commemorating the fight for a good cause.

Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
All cities in the country
December 12

December 12th is the most important religious celebration in Mexico. The Virgin of Guadalupe is considered to be a Mexican religious icon because she is said to have appeared on December 12, 1531 on Tepeyac Hill. A beautiful dark-skinned virgin, surrounded by a starry blue cloak, with a brilliant halo and celestial light identified as the Virgin Mary appeared to a native man, Juan Diego.

She requested (in Náhuatl, his native language) he take a message to the bishop asking him to build a temple. Four days after speaking with Juan Diego, the virgin gave him the proof the friars needed to believe the message he carried. She filled his cloak with roses (which would have been impossible to find in that location and at that time of year) and he took the message to the friars again, this time showing them the roses and an image of the virgin in his cloak. When Juan Diego told what he saw in his native language, it sounded very similar to the name Guadalupe. Thus, she became known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. Since then, the image in Juan Diego’s cloak has become a religious icon in Mexico.

So, every December 11th, just before midnight, thousands of people congregate in the sanctuaries of the Virgin of Guadalupe to honor the dark skinned virgin. This important celebration also features all types of food, mariachis, famous singers and much devotion.