Here’s our regular round up of festivals and events in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Yucatan in the next few months.
Cozumel Carnival, February 2-March 6
Dating from 1876, Cozumel Carnival is the oldest Carnival in the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the oldest in Mexico. The pre Carnival celebrations run from February 2 to 24 and the Carnival from February 27 to March 6.
Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Merida, Campeche and Valladolid will also be holding their own Carnival celebrations; the dates may vary slightly in each location. The Cancun Carnival will be from March 1 to 5 and in Merida from February 26 to March 6.
Tulum Food, Spirits & Wine Festival, Tulum, February 6-10
Mixology, tastings of tequila, mescal, sotol and other Mexican liqueurs, chefs contests, and much more.
Island Time Music Fest 2019, Isla Mujeres, February 18 – 23
It is the tenth anniversary of this Isla Mujeres music festival featuring country, rock and R&B performers.
65th International Movie Selection, Playa del Carmen & Puerto Morelos, February
World cinema on the beach, multiple locations in Playa del Carmen, February 2 – 24; Playa del Carmen Unico Beach Club, February 22 -23.
Isla Blanca Kite Festival, Cancun area, Feb 24 and 25
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Isla Blanca north of Punta Sam.
Spring Equinox, Chichen Itza, March 19-22
The famous light and shadow serpent of Kukulcan appears on El Castillo Pyramid at Chichen Itza and descends from the heavens at sunset on the day of the Spring Equinox (March 20-22). It is also visible the day before and after, cloud cover permitting.
Elsewhere in the Yucatan, at dawn on the day of the Equinox the rising sun appears through the doorway of the Temple of the Dolls in the ancient city of Dzibilchaltun to the north of Merida.
The spring equinox officially falls on March 20 in 2019 but the largest gathering at Chichen Itza takes place on March 21, a national holiday in Mexico.
Easter Week, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Merida, Valladolid and elsewhere in Mexico, April 15 – 21
Masses, processions and reenactments of the Crucifixion, masses, floral carpets in the streets and more on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
Anniversary of Cancun, Cancun April 20
Events include exhibitions, parades and more.
Copa Capitan Ferrat Fishing Tournament, Cancun, April 19 – 21
One of the most important fishing tournaments in the Mexican Caribbean.
Volando al Paraiso Hot Air Balloon Festival, Cancun, April 19-21
Pok Ta Pok Golf course in the Cancun Hotel Zone will be the site for this Hot Air Balloon Festival and there will also be kite flying, cuisine, music and more.
Challenge Cancun Triathlon, Cancun, April 28
1,500 top triathletes gather in Cancun for this international triathlon. The swimming course is in the bay between Cancun and Isla Mujeres; the bike race circuit is from Casa Blanca Sports Club in Bonampak Ave to The Royal Sands in the Hotel Zone (two laps) and the running event will take place on Bonampak Ave.
Check the Royal Resorts blog during the year for more listings of events in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Yucatan.
