New Year's Day (Año Nuevo): celebrated across the country, Mexico sees the New Year in with gusto. Parties are held all over Cancun featuring music, dance, food and fireworks. All-night street parties continue into the night, with tradition calling for revellers to eat twelve grapes, one with each stroke of the clock at midnight, ensuring good luck for the next 12 months.

Three Kings' Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes): held on 6 January, this feast commemorates the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem. Representing their gifts for baby Jesus, Mexicans swap gifts on this day and rosca de reyes, a sweet bread decorated with fruit and containing a small doll, is served. Whoever is served the piece of bread with the figure must host Candlemas Day celebrations on 2 February.

Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria): celebrated across the country, this festival sees candlelit processions and dancing in the streets, marking the end of Christmas celebrations. Families traditionally eat tamales and atole on this day.

Carnival (Carnaval): this major nation-wide time of celebration starts five days before Ash Wednesday and includes parades, parties and dancing.

Holy Week (Semana Santa): held from the 20 to 27 February, this week-long religious festival begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. Popular events include re-enactments of the happenings leading up to Christ's crucifixion.

Cancun Day: held on 20 April, this day commemorates the founding of Cancun. Residents celebrate the birth of the city by hosting parties and special events.

Cancun Jazz Festival: held at Quintana Roo, this event attracts some of the world’s best jazz musicians. Performances are spread across three days, with all genres of jazz covered.

Cancun Banamex Triathlon: having been running for several years now, the triathlon draws athletes from around the globe, who descend on the city to compete. All three sports; swimming, cycling and running, can be watched by spectators.

Festival Internacional del Caribe Mexicano: held yearly, Cancun’s annual food festival is spread over one month. In addition to sampling delights created by Mexico’s top chefs, there are competitions for the prestigious title of ‘best chef’ and ‘best bartender’.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos): held at the beginning of November, this is one of Mexico’s most fascinating festivals. Commemorating the dead, Mexican’s believe those who have passed away come back to visit on this day, attracted by offerings of favourite foods and beverages, marigolds and candles.

Mexican Revolution Day (Dia de la Revolucion Mexicana): celebrated nationwide on 20 November, this day commemorates the Mexican Revolution of 1910 with parades and celebrations.

Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Fiesta de la Virgin de Guadalupe): held on 12 December, this is one of Mexico’s most important festivals, where pilgrims from around the country converge on the Mexico City Basilica to pay tribute to Mexico’s patron saint.

Posadas: celebrated nationwide, this is Mexico’s version of Christmas. Expect to see processions recreating Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem, Christmas carolling and feasts.

New Year's Day: 1 January
Anniversary of the Constitution: 5 February
Benito Juárez Day : 21 March
Labour Day: 1 May
Battle of Puebla Day: 5 May
President's Address: 1 September
Independence Day: 16 September
Dia de la Raza/Columbus Day: 12 October
Dia de los Muertos/Days of the Dead: 2 November
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution: 20 November
Virgin of Guadalupe: 12 December
Christmas Day: 25 December
Semana Santa: date varies each year
Easter: date varies each year