Tradition: eat 12 grapes in the seconds before the stroke of midnight.
Each grape is a symbol of the last 12 months and the next 12 months to come. It is also a wish of good luck for the year to come.
January 6
Spain
Día de Los Reyes Magos (The Day of the Three Kings or the Feast of the Epiphany)
In much of Latin America, this holiday is more important than Christmas. It is a day for the adoration of baby Jesus just like the Three Kings did when they arrived at the stable.
In many countries, this is the day children get their presents as opposed to Christmas day.
Some U.S. Latin American children, instead of Santa, wait for the Magos to bring presents and place water/food out for the Magos' camels.
Some Puerto Rican and Cuban children leave grass-filled shoeboxes out to feed the three King's camels.
Some Mexican children leave shoes out so the three Kings can leave presents inside them.
January 11
Puerto Rico
Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos
Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos, a Puerto Rican 19th century educator and writer. Eugenio fought Spain's colonial rule and helped eliminate slavery in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
January 28
Cuba
Birth of José Martí
Birth of Jose Martí, a political activist, poet and independence hero. He led the fight for Cuba's independence from Spain.
February 14
Latin America
Dia del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine's Day)
Unlike in the US, it's the day of love and friendship. Those in love go out to dinner and give each other presents…no emphasis on candy. Friends go out for lunch or dinner too.
February 27
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic Independence Day
February 27th is Independence Day and the start of the Dominican Republic Carnaval. Carnival is a four-day celebration happening from Saturday through Tuesday.
Note: The date of Carnaval changes each year.
To calculate the correct date, determine when Easter is. Ash Wednesday is 46 days before Easter, so Carnaval Sunday is exactly 49 days or seven weeks before Easter Sunday. Celebrated mainly in Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Panama, Bolivia, and Colombia.
February 27
Haiti
Haiti Mardi Gras
Haiti's Fat Tuesday and the beginning of the Haiti Carnaval.
Beginning of March
Cuban Americans – Miami
Calle Ocho
Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) festival. The festival is named Little Havana, the street that runs through the heart of Cuban's Miami community.
March 12-19
Valencia, Spain
The Bonfires of Valencia, or Las Fallas de Valencia, Spain
The celebration of St. Josephõs Day. Artists spend a year making gigantic papier-mache caricatures of famous people and in celebration; they set them on fire in bonfires.
March 21
Mexico
Birth date of Benito Juárez
Juárez was one of Mexico's most loved presidents. He is revered for policies that assisted the poor and improved the public schools.
March 22
Puerto Rico
Emancipation Day
Puerto Rico slaves were freed in 1873.
March 31
Mexico
César Chávez holiday.
César Chávez's birthday is celebrated to honor an American labor and civil rights giant. Chávez, in 1960, was the leader of the United Farm Workers. He organized a national boycott of grapes that earned him respect worldwide. Because of his work, migrant workers won their first labor contracts and obtained clean drinking water. State holidays are honored in California, Arizona and Texas.
March/April
Latin America, Spain
La Semana Santa (Holy Week)
One of the highest holy days of the year is Easter for Latino Catholics. Holy week involves solemn processions, masses, and prayer. Cascarones (confetti-filled, painted egg) is a custom in Mexico and the U.S.
April 30
Latin Americans
Día de los Niños
April 30 th is a holiday recognizing children as the center of the Latino family.
May 1
Latin America
Dia del Trabajo
International Day of the Workers.
Banks, government offices, stores, post offices and businesses close for the day.
May 5
Mexico
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army of 4,500 men's victory over the 6,500 French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the 1960s and 1970s, civil rights Chicanos related the Battle of Puebla to their quest for respect in the United States and publicized it as a popular holiday.
May 10
Mexico
Latin America
Día de Las Madres (Day of the Mothers)
Mexican Americans may celebrate the holiday on May 10 even though the day is in the middle of the week or on the day that the United States has defined (usually Sunday). If the day falls in the middle of the week, some Mexican American schools in Texas give the children the day off.
May 18
Haiti
Haiti's Flag Day
May 18 commemorates Haiti's independence from France in 1804. In Spring Valley, NY, one of the largest Haitian-American celebrations on the Saturday closest to Flag Day is held.
May 20
Cuba
Cuba's independence
1902: Cuba's birth as an independent republic. Spain ruled Cuba from the 16th Century until 1898.
2nd Sunday in June
Puerto Rico
Ethnic identity celebration–NY
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York began in 1958 to honor the contributions of the Puerto Rican people. Cleveland, Ohio also has a parade.
June 24
Puerto Rico
The Feast of San Juan Bautista (The Feast of John the Baptist)
The birth of St. John is the only saint celebration held on the day of his birth. All other saints' celebrations are held on the day of their death.
Some Puerto Ricans immerse themselves in the ocean three times to cast off evil or negative energies. In New York, some Puerto Ricans immerse themselves in Central Park's lake waters.
July 6-14
Pamplona, Spain
Los Sanfermines (San Fermín Festival) "Running of the Bulls"
Running of the Bulls dates back to the 14th Century when Ernest Hemingway popularized it. From July 7 on, every day, the bulls run from old town Pamplona to the main bullfighting plaza. Oak Park, Illinois, hosts a celebration where Hemingway's home is a museum.
July 25
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's Constitution Day
A day of mixed support among the people of Puerto Rico. In 1952, the island was proclaimed a Commonwealth. Supporters of this proclamation celebrate the day. Others, that want to see the island become an independent nation or official U.S. state, use the day to promote his/her beliefs.
July 26
Cuba
Revolution Day
The national holiday that marks the anniversary of the 1953 Fidel Castro's forces attack on the Moncada army barracks in Santiago, Cuba. Many Cuban-Americans who live in the United States, fleeing the Communist rule do not celebrate the day.
July 28 and 29
Spain
St. Ignatius of Loyola Festival or the Festival de San Ignacio de Loyola
St. Ignatius is the patron saint of Basques. Basques is a region in northern Spain. Boise, Idaho hosts one of the most important Basque festivals in the U.S. Outdoor picnics, Basque singers and an international card game (Mus Tournament) are a part of the city's celebration.
July 28 and 29
Perú
Independence Day
Perú's independence day. Washington D.C. observes these dates with a festival.
August 1-6
El Salvador
Feast of the Savior of the World or El Salvador del Mundo
Street fairs and a procession honoring the patron saint of El Salvador are part of the El Salvador festivities.
September 8
Cuba
Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre
The remembrance of Cuba's patron Virgin of Charity. Cubans and Cuban Americans pray to her for inspiration and support.
2nd Weekend of September
Santa Fe, NM
Fiesta de Santa Fe
The Fiesta is a celebration of the Santa Fe's Spanish Catholic heritage, the New Mexico's Pueblo Indians and a commemoration of the 1692 reconquest of Santa Fe, New Mexico which had been seized from the Spanish by a Pueblo Indian revolt. The event starts with the burning of Zozobra (Old Man of Gloom)–a 40-foot puppet that represents all the past year's negative feelings.
September 15
El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
Independence Day
Salvadorans, in Los Angeles, gather in the Pico Union area for a party and parade.
September 16
Mexico
Mexican Independence Day
In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo called to his people to revolt against Spain from 300 years of Spanish rule. The war lasted for 11 years. In celebration, every year, Mexicans and Mexican Americans celebrate this day by echoing the words of Father Hidalgo, “Viva Mexico! Viva la Independencia!”
October 12
U.S.
Latin America
Día de la Raza or Day of Our Race or Columbus Day
La Raza refers to mixed race. The celebration of Columbus' arrival to the Americas is met with mixed opinion in the Hispanic/Latino culture. Some view the day as tragic based on the events to follow. Others see the day as a celebration of their mixed heritage.
October 18
Peru
Señor de Los Milagros or Our Lord of Miracles or The Holiday of the Purple Christ
The celebration stems from a 1746 huge earthquake that destroyed Lima, Peru, but left stand a painting of the Purple Christ. Today, Peruvian Americans celebrate this holiday in New York and Patterson, New Jersey with outdoor food festivals, street processions and masses.
November 2
Mexico, Central America
El Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead or All Souls' Day
The holiday is centered on celebrating and honoring one's ancestors. On this day, it is said that the spirits of the dead come back for family reunions. The families honoring their dead set up altars in their homes and hold large family dinners and/or visit their loved-one's cemetery plot and decorate it with food, flowers and candles.
November 19
Puerto Rico
The feast of Nuestra Señora de la Divina Providencia or Our Lady of Divine Providence
A story is told that seven formerly wealthy merchants vowed poverty and service to God and prayed to be fed. Two baskets of food appeared at their door and they attributed the miracle to the Virgin of Divine Providence. Today, the virgin is Puerto Rico's principle religious icon. At the church of Saint Barbara in Brooklyn, NY, a statue of the virgin is on permanent display.
November 20
Mexico
Revolution of 1910 Anniversary
November 20th marks the anniversary of the 1910 revolution against dictator Porfirio Díaz and ranks among the most important Mexican holidays. The revolution resulted in one million Mexicans dead and another million immigrated to the United States.
December 12
Mexico
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe or the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Lady of Guadalupe, the Catholic Church named patron saint of the North Americas, is a symbol of marriage of European and Indian blood and beliefs. Through the years, she has also stood for cultural affirmation, political unity and freedom from oppression.
December 16-24
Mexico, Cuba, Latin America, Spain
Las Posadas
The celebration commemorates Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. During this time, family and friends visit one another and enjoy traditional foods and singing.
December 24 and 25
Mexico, Cuba, Latin America, Spain
La Nochebuena y La Navidad or Christmas Eve/Christmas
Latinos celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas with a mixing of old country and U.S. traditions. Among the holiday traditions are: attending midnight mass, preparing meals that often take days to prepare, decorating the home along with lighting luminaries (outdoor Christmas lanterns with candles in paper bags).
