Holy Week Celebrations in Mexico

 The holiday is officially from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday but most students and many workers have a full two week holiday, much like Spring Break in other countries. Mexican beach destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit become extremely lively with Mexican families on vacation from cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City and it’s a great time to experience an authentic Mexican celebration.

On Palm Sunday, or Domingo de Ramos, processions take place to reenact Jesus arriving to Jerusalem on his donkey with residents laying palm fronds on his path.  You can also find woven palms sold outside many churches on this day as a religious reminder.

Holy Thursday, or Jueves Santo, the day the bible speaks of the washing of the apostle’s feet and the Last Supper, is traditionally celebrated with a foot washing ceremony and a Holy Communion taken at Mass.

Passion plays and costumed processions carrying statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary through the streets are the traditional celebrations on Good Friday, or Viernes Santo.  And Sabado de Gloria, Holy Saturday, is often loudly marked with firecrackers.

And you will not find the Easter bunny hopping through the streets of Mexico as painted eggs and chocolate are not traditional in Mexican culture.  Easter Sunday is historically a solemn occasion where families spend time together and go to Mass.  However, in some parts of Mexico now you will find fireworks as part of the Easter celebration.