January
January 5-9: Celebration in honor of el Señor de la Misericordia (Our Lord of Mercy) (Erongarícuaro).
February: Winter’s Midpoint (Ground Hog’s Day)
February 1: Fuego Nuevo (“New Fire” for Purhépecha New Year). February 2: Día de la Candelaria (Candlemass) (Tócuaro, Erongarícaro). Ash Wednesday: Week before: Señor de la Rescate (Lord of the Rescue) (Tzintzuntzan, including trek pilgrimage walk from Pátzcuaro to Tzintzuntzan). Tuesday before: Carnival (Mardi Gras). Weekend before: Pilgrimage to Carácuaro; Fiesta continues up to Ash Wednesday. Fiesta continues up to Ash Wednesday
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
March-April (depending on Easter’s date). Semana Santa:* Holy Week is observed with concerts, dances and processions.
• Tianguis Artesanal: Folk Art Market opens before Palm Sunday and continues to Easter
• Processions: Good Friday Night, Holy Saturday Night, Easter Sunday Noon. • Burning of Judas: Easter Night (after sunset). • Week after Easter: Patron Saint’s Day for Ihuátzio.
May: Midpoint of Spring May 2: Cruz Verde (Green Cross)* (Pátzcuaro) – Planting Festival May 2-5: Fiesta in honor of the Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) (Erongarícuaro)
June: (June 21: Summer Solstice) Early June: Corpus Cristi (Tzintzuntzan, and other pueblos—fiesta dates vary). June 6: Celebration of Medio Año (Mid-Year, Summer Solstice) (Erongarícuaro).
July: Early July: Señor de la Preciosa Sangre (Our Lord of Precious Blood)(Quiroga).
August : Midpoint of Summer (Dates vary; check with CELEP staff) August 15: Fiesta in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption) (Erongarícuaro). International Guitar Festival: Paracho International Copper Festival: Santa Clara del Cobre International Organ Festival: Morelia
September: September 15: Noche del Grito* (Beginning of Mexican War of Independence, Pátzcuaro) September 16: Independence Fiesta (Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, Plaza Mayor, Pátzcuaro)
October Mid-October: Festival of Purhépecha Dance and Music (Zacán) Last week in October: Mercado de dulces (Candy Market).
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
November: Midpoint of Fall / Autumn November 1-2: Día de los Muertos* (Janítzio, Pátzcuaro and surrounding pueblos) Mid-November: International Chamber Music Festival (Morelia) (Check date with CELEP.) November 20: Celebration of Mexican Revolution*
December: (December 21: Winter Solstice). December 8: Fiesta de la Virgen de la Salud* (Basílica, Pátzcuaro) December 12: Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe* (Basílica, Pátzcuaro) December 16-24: Posadas en las colonias de Pátzcuaro December 25: Private family day
