Coahuila
Events
Anniversary of the Founding of Zaragoza
February
Zaragoza
The celebration of the founding of Zaragoza is a grand celebration with much dancing, and excellent ambience.
Ocampo Fair
February-March
Ocampo
This festival offers fireworks, dances, parades, games which are traditional to Mexican culture, and a lot of great fun.
Anniversary of the "Fernando Soler" Theater
March
Saltillo
The month of March commemorates one of the more emblematic cultural and artistic institutions in the city, the Fernando Solar Theater. It is important to the city artistically as well as architecturally.
The Spring Fair
March
Saltillo
Saltillo celebrates The Spring Fair with dance, evening parties, costumes and much celebration.
Youth Fishing Tournament
April
Ciudad Acuña
Year after year, in the streams that flow from the Rio Bravo, the Youth Fishing Tournament takes place during one special week.
The Charoláis Cattle Fair
June
Piedras Negras
Cattle ranching is one of the main livelihoods in this region. The Charoláis Cattle Fair
occurs every year and exhibits the best of the breed. Conferences are also held in which farmers share advances and tips for the raising of young cattle for future generations.
The Sun Festival
July
Piedras Negras
Settlers from the bordering communities attend this regional fair, and the celebration lingers on for many days.
Anniversary of the Founding of Monclova
August
Monclova
The celebration of the founding of Monclova is carried out in the month of August, when with an important unfolding of capital and enthusiasm, governors and citizens come together to celebrate the place where they live and the date on which it was settled as a community.
Nacho Festival
October
Piedras Negras
Piedras Negras is upheld to be the place where the Nacho, an internationally popular Mexican cocktail snack, was invented. Every October, the city celebrates the Nacho with great conviction.
Christmas Fair
Monclova
December
The month of December begins with a great festival in Monclova. Parties are held at the local level in a celebration of fun, color and happiness.
Grito de Independencia (Shout of Independence)
All cities in the 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 of Equality 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.