Official Holidays in Mexico 2025

Mexico is a country rich in traditions and celebrations, which are beautifully reflected in its yearly calendar of holidays. These days not only provide a chance to rest and spend time with loved ones, but also to reflect, learn, and celebrate the country’s fascinating culture and history.

In this article, we will take a look at the official holiday calendar for 2025 in Mexico, learn which days are mandatory rest days and which aren’t, and also provide tips to make the most of these special dates.

What Are Mexico’s Official Holidays?

Each year, the Diario Oficial de la Federación (an official publication from Mexico’s government) releases a list of the official holidays celebrated across the country.

These holidays fall into two main categories:

• Mandatory rest days protected by law.
• Not mandatory holidays that are widely celebrated in the country, but businesses are not legally required to give employees the day off.

Here’s the complete calendar for 2025:

Mandatory Rest Days vs. Not Mandatory Holidays

It’s essential to understand the difference between mandatory rest days and additional holidays.

• Mandatory rest days are regulated by Mexico’s Federal Labor Law, and workers are not required to work on these days. If someone is called to work on a mandatory rest day, they are legally entitled to receive additional pay, typically double or triple their regular daily wage.
• Not mandatory holidays, such as Día de Muertos or Cinco de Mayo, carry significant cultural, historical, or religious importance to Mexican residents, but they are not legally considered mandatory rest days. Therefore, employers are not obligated to give their employees the day off nor to provide any extra compensation on those dates.

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What Are "Puentes"?

A puente (which literally translates to bridge) is a commonly used term in Mexico referring to long weekends created by the placement of a mandatory rest day on a Monday or Friday.

For example: while Mexican Constitution Day is actually on February 5, it will be observed on Monday, February 3rd in 2025, creating a puente from February 1st to February 3rd.

Now you know how to answer the question: “¿Qué planes tienes para el puente?” (What plans do you have for the long weekend?)

Tips for Planning Your Vacations

With so many holidays and puentes, it’s tempting to plan mini getaways or even long vacations. Here are some tips to make the most of your time off:

• Check this year’s holiday calendar: Use the official holiday list above and the official school calendar to identify all upcoming breaks and plan vacations that best fit your schedule.
• Combine your vacation days: You could try pairing your work vacation days with a puente to extend your break or, if possible, you could take mandatory rest days into account so you can actually avoid them and calmly enjoy visiting the destinations that interest you the most during low seasons.
• Choose local destinations: Mexico is quite a large country, so that means there are plenty of incredible options to choose from for your next holiday destination, such as tropical beaches (Cancún, Los Cabos), cute little villages commonly known as pueblos mágicos (Tapalpa, San Miguel de Allende), or impressive colonial cities (Guanajuato, Querétaro).
• Book early: Take advantage of the discounts offered by many airlines, websites and travel agencies by booking flights or accommodations well in advance.

Summary

Knowing Mexico’s key holidays, non-working days, and puentes for 2025 will help you plan your year more effectively. Whether you currently live in Mexico or you’re planning to visit soon, these holidays are a fantastic opportunity to explore this country’s rich traditions and culture while practicing your Spanish skills.

At Promova, we offer complete lessons to help you learn useful phrases for your upcoming trips to Mexico or other Spanish-speaking countries without stress.

Start practicing before your next visit and make the most of your days off while immersing yourself in Mexican traditions!