12 Must-Know Traditional Mexican Culture Elements And Holidays

Mexico is a great country. I spent some time there as a student, and honestly, it’s still a lasting impression.

Spring Spanish (a project I co-founded) made a fantastic video where Paulisima compared the Mexican and the American culture:

Now, about that Mexican Spanish – it’s like regular Spanish’s cool cousin. It’s part of Mexican culture, which has its own characteristics. In this post, we’ll tell you about the most popular parts of Mexican culture.

1. Mexican culture holidays

Mexico is a country that loves to party and celebrate!

Mexico has so many festivals and fiestas throughout the year that you can choose freely – do you want to have a heartfelt remembering on your deceased ones? Honor Día de los Muertos.

Do you want to prepare for saying Merry Christmas in Spanish? Enjoy Los Posadas!

Some important vocabulary you have to know about Mexican holidays:

SpanishEnglish
Día de los MuertosDay of the Dead
OfrendaAltar to honor the deceased
CempasúchilMarigold flowers
CalaveraSkull (representation)
CatrinaElegant skull figure
Las PosadasThe Inns (Christmas celebration)
PiñataDecorated container filled with treats
BuñuelosFried dough fritters
AtoleWarm beverage made from masa
Cinco de Mayo5th of May (Battle of Puebla commemoration)

Let us tell you more about some of the biggest and most iconic Mexican culture holidays.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

The Día de los Muertos is one of the most iconic and culturally significant celebrations in Mexico. Originating from the indigenous Aztec rituals honoring the dead, it has blended with Spanish Catholic traditions over the centuries.

The festivities span two days – November 1st honors deceased children (Día de los Inocentes) and November 2nd is for departed adults (Día de los Muertos).

day of the dead is part of the mexican culture

In the weeks leading up, families prepare by creating elaborate ofrendas (altars) in their homes. These are decorated with bright cempasuchil marigold flowers, candles, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), favorite foods, drinks, photos and mementos of the souls they wish to welcome back for a visit.

On the Día de Muertos, families visit the graves of their loved ones to leave ofrendas, clean and decorate the gravesites. Many also spend the night in the cemetery, telling stories and reminiscing. The belief is that on these nights, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, so the souls of the departed can return.

Las Posadas

From December 16th through the 24th, the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve, Mexican families and communities celebrate Las Posadas.

This beloved tradition reenacts the Biblical journey of Mary and Joseph traveling from Nazareth and being turned away from inns in Bethlehem before finding a place for the birth of Jesus.

Each night, a procession is led by children carrying figures of Mary and Joseph going door-to-door. At each house, they sing traditional verses (litanies) asking for shelter/posada. The resident responds with their own verses before finally letting them enter, representing when Mary and Joseph found respite.

Once inside, the home hosts a warm party with food, drinks, fireworks, piñatas for the kids, and plenty of singing of classic Christmas songs like “Alegría” and “Los Santos Reyes.”

Traditional foods include buñuelos (fried dough fritters), atole (a warm beverage) and ponche navideño (a hot fruit punch).

Cinco de Mayo

On the 5th of May each year, Mexico celebrates the anniversary of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War.

While not Mexico’s Independence Day as many believe, Cinco de Mayo remembers this historic military triumph and represents Mexican resistance and patriotism.

The biggest celebrations take place in the city of Puebla itself, where the battle was fought. There are large parades with marching bands, reenactments of the battle by soldiers in period costumes, traditional foods like mole poblano and chalupas, as well as plenty of music, dancing and general festivities and parties.

2. Cuisine in Mexico

Ohhh the food… this is what most people think of when they think of Mexico!

The Mexican Spanish cuisine is amazing: uses fresh ingredients like corn, chiles, avocados, tomatoes, chocolate and so much more.

SpanishEnglish
AntojitosLittle cravings (snacks/street foods)
TacoCorn or flour tortilla filled with ingredients
EnchiladaRolled tortilla with filling, covered in sauce
TamalSavory masa pocket, steamed in a wrap
MoleThick sauce made from chiles, spices, nuts, etc.
Mole PoblanoIconic dark red/brown mole sauce
TequilaSpirit made from blue agave in Jalisco region
MezcalSmoky spirit from roasted agave in Oaxaca
Blanco/Reposado/AñejoTequila aging categories

Let us highlight some key items:

Tacos, Enchiladas, Tamales

These three quintessential Mexican antojitos (snacks/street foods) are found everywhere from street stalls to high-end restaurants across the country.

Tacos consist of a corn or flour tortilla stuffed with your choice of meat (carne asada, carnitas, chorizo, etc.), vegetables, salsas, cilantro, onions and other toppings. From classic al pastor with spit-roasted pork to fish tacos with cabbage slaw, you’ll find endless variations…

Enchiladas are corn tortillas rolled up with a filling like chicken, beef or cheese, then covered in a chili sauce like salsa roja or verde and baked with more cheese on top. Common varieties include enfrijoladas (bean sauce), suizas (cream sauce) and mole.

Tamales are a labor of love made by spreading masa (corn dough) on a corn husk or banana leaf, filling it with meat, cheese, vegetables or sweet options like pineapple, raisins or strawberries, then folding and steaming them. Unwrapping a tamal to release the aroma is heavenly.

Mole

Mole is a multi-layered sauce that is considered the crown jewel of Mexican cuisine and cooking.

The most famous is mole poblano from Puebla.

This dark brown sauce typically contains over 20 ingredients including dried chiles, garlic, spices (cinnamon, cumin, black pepper), nuts, seeds, a hint of chocolate, raisins and/or other dried fruits that are simmered together for hours.

The resulting thick mole is then served over turkey, chicken or pork with rice.

Other popular mole varieties are mole negro (black mole), coloradito (reddish), verde (green), amarillito (yellow) and many more.

Tequila and Mezcal

You can’t talk about Mexican food and drink without… tequila and mezcal!

tequila is part of the mexican culture

These are the most popular drinks made from the mighty agave plant.

To be called tequila, it must be made from 100% blue weber agave that has been harvested, the piñas (hearts) roasted, crushed and the juices fermented and distilled.

There are three main categories:

  • Blanco – Clear and unaged
  • Reposado – Aged 2-12 months in oak barrels
  • Añejo – Aged 1-3 years

Mezcal has a smoky flavor profile as the agave piñas are roasted in conical pit ovens before crushing and distillation.

Produced mainly in Oaxaca, it can be made from over 30 varieties of agave like Espadín, Tobala, Tepeztate and more.

Popular cocktails include mezcal negronis, margaritas or sipping it with oranges sprinkled with sal de gusano (worm salt).

3. Mexican music and dance culture

The music and dances of Mexico are lively and passionate.

SpanishEnglish
MariachiIconic folk music ensemble
FolklóricoTraditional regional folk dances
Jarabe TapatíoMexican Hat Dance from Jalisco
RancheraRomantic folk music about rural life
NorteñaNorthern folk music with polka influences
RancherosRanchera singers

Let us introduce you to some of the key variations:

Mariachi

Mariachi music originated in the 19th century around the city of Jalisco, blending indigenous and Spanish musical influences.

mariachi band is part of the mexican culture

The iconic mariachi look features embroidered suits, wide sombreros, and an ensemble including trumpets, violins, guitarrones, vihuelas and more.

The folk music style has a festive, upbeat rhythm blending harps, violins and trumpets.

Lyrics often celebrate Mexican culture, history, revolution, romance, machismo and pride.

Famous classic mariachi songs include “Cielito Lindo,” “El Son de la Negra,” “Guadalajara” and “Mexico Lindo y Querido.

Folklórico

Folklórico refers to the traditional folk dances from regions across Mexico.

These choreographed and costumed group performances celebrate the country’s cultures through symbolic movement and music.

Some iconic folklórico dances:

  • Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance) from Jalisco – features choreography with sombreros and stamping footwork
  • Dances of Sinaloa and Chihuahua – rituals and attire of groups like the Yaqui and Mayo peoples
  • Ballet Folklórico de México – A dance company preserving regional dances nationwide

Catching a live folklórico show is a great way to experience Mexico’s pride in indigenous heritage through the arts.

Ranchera and Norteña

Ranchera music originated from the Mexican Revolutionary era of the 1910s.

The name refers to the “rancho” or ranch lifestyle, with emotive lyrics about machismo, patriotism, love and life in rural Mexico.

It fused traditional folk styles with influences like the Spanish bolero and mariachi folk.

Well-known ranchera singers (rancheros) with powerful voices like Vicente Fernandez, Antonio Aguilar and Javier Solis sang beloved classics like “Volver Volver,” “El Rey,” and “Ella.”

The music features mariachi instrumentation like trumpets, guitars and bass.

4. Mexican arts and crafts

Mexican artisans are known for their incredible talent and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

SpanishEnglish
TalaveraMaiolica pottery from Puebla
AzulejoDecorated ceramic tilework
AlebrijeFanciful carved wood animal sculptures
CopalTree resin wood used for alebrijes
HuicholIndigenous ethnic group
WixáritariName for the Huichol people

The arts and crafts scene is huge, but here are some highlights:

Talavera Pottery from Puebla

Puebla is famous for its Talavera pottery – a cool mix of Spanish and local styles.

It’s made with white clay and beautiful colors.

The real deal has to be made in Puebla using special techniques. Artists spend weeks creating these beauties, painting everything from flowers to religious symbols.

It’s a big source of pride for the locals, and you can check out some amazing pieces in Puebla’s museums.

Alebrijes from Oaxaca

Ever heard of alebrijes?

They’re wild and wacky Mexican sculptures that’ll blow your mind.

Picture crazy fantasy creatures with a riot of colors – that’s an alebrije for you.

The story goes that a guy named Pedro Linares dreamed them up while he was sick in the 1930s. He started carving these bizarre beings out of wood, and boom – a new art form was born!

Now, whole families in Oaxaca are in on the alebrije action.

They carve everything from tiny figurines to massive sculptures, all by hand. Each one’s a mix of different animals, painted with mind-bending patterns.

Huichol Bead and Yarn Art

The Huichol folks from western Mexico are seriously talented artists.

They’re famous for their wild, colorful artwork that’s all about their spiritual beliefs.

These guys love to feature sacred animals, shamans, and even trippy peyote visions in their art.

5. Learn more about the Mexican culture and language with Conversation Based Chunking

Learning Mexican Spanish is one thing. Learning everything about a language’s culture is on a whole another level.

That’s what we highlight here on Effortless Conversations: Conversation Based Chunking. This method is more about learning a language, and more about full Spanish immersion. You learn Spanish with music, you watch the best Spanish TV shows on Netflix and try to surround yourself with Spanish every step of the way.

By doing so, you get closer to the Mexican Spanish culture, too. If you’re interested in this, we can help you: click the button below, and we’ll send you your first Spanish Chunking Starter Pack with the most essential Spanish expressions, the best resources to learn Spanish and we’ll even give you practice exercises.

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