January 17       Feast Day of San Antonio de AbadA religious holiday during which the Catholic Church allows animals to enter the church for blessing

January 21   Manzamigos Improv Comedy Theatre
Where: Manzanillo Country Club
Details: To follow
Contact: Gerry Szakacs gerry@mexicanbay.com

3rd week of January - Barra de Navidad  Fishing Tournament

February 2 - Dia de la  Candelaria or Candlemas
A religious holiday that is celebrated with processions, dancing, bullfights in certain cities, and the blessing of the seeds and candles. The festivities are best seen in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalapa; Talpa de Allende, Jalisco; and Santa Maria del Tuxla, Oaxaca.

February 5.   Constitution Day.
 The government sponsors a parade to remember the approval of the new Constitution in 1917.

March 16 to 23. Semana Santa.   (Holy Week) The week before Easter is the busiest week of the year. The city provides free concerts, theater performances and fiestas.

End of April to May 11.  Fiesta de Mayo.  Manzanillo's main celebration. Festivities include numerous events, such as art exhibits, parades, concerts, native dances and a carnival.

September 16.  Independence Day.

October 3, 4 - Saturday & Sunday - PORTAL OF LIGHT 2012 LECTURE by MAYAN SHAMAN AC TAH from the YUCATAN (in Spanish) A Mayan view of the prophesies of 2012 http://www.actah.com.mx                  01.37.67.65.44.12 pascualescolima@yahoo.com
Parque Ecológico NATURA CAMP
Saturday, 3am - 10am Carretera Manzanillo-Minatitlán Km 1.6 Sunday, 4am – 12pm

October 12.        Columbus Day. (USA)  Thanksgiving Day (Canada)  DIÁ DE LA RAZA (Mexico) This day celebrates Columbus' arrival to the Americas, and the historical origins of the Mexican race.

October 14-21 International Cervantes Festival 2009 GUANAJUATO     http://www.festivalcervantino.gob.mx/

November 1 to 2.    Day of the Dead. (Dia De Los Muertos), . Celebrants build private altars to honor the deceased, using sugar skulls, flowers and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
December 1 to December 12.     Fiesta de Guadalupe,  Celebrating Mexico's patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, the event includes parades, native dances and costumes, displays and offerings for the Virgin of Guadalupe. This event includes the following two feast days:

November 13-18    8TH ANNUAL MAESTROS DEL ARTE
Chapala Yacht Club Friday & Saturday : 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm http://www.mexicoartshow.com/maestros.html

Novemeber 16. Mexican Revolution Day.   The celebration of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 is commemorated on this official Mexican Holiday

November 26 - Thanksgiving Day (USA)

December 8.      Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

December 12.   Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.   (Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe),  Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.

December 16.   Los Posadas.    Candelight processions, and nativity plays celebrating Joseph and Marys search for shelter in Bethlehem.

December 16    Third annual Auction
- ROTARY CLUB COSTALEGRE
Contact: Don and Teresa Merriman merriman.don@gmail.com

December 16 – January 6   Las Posadas
Celebrates Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem with candlelight processions that end at various nativity scenes. Las Posadas continues through January 6. The first thing to know about celebrating Christmas in Mexico is that most everybody takes off the last two weeks in December - to party, spend more time with the family, visit with old friends, even make new friends. One of the biggest fiestas of the year - in small towns, big cities, the beach resorts, everywhere - Christmas in Mexico is celebrated in a variety of ways. A common denominator is the posada, a recreation of Mary (on donkey) and Joseph searching for a "room at the inn." Accompanying them is a choir of small children who knock on doors asking for lodging for the weary couple. By previous arrangement, there are no takers.

December 24 (Friday)  - MANZAMIGOS & FRIENDS - CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
3:30 pm – All other details to follow. NEEDED: Volunteers for 3 Wise Men and several Elves – Santa is standing by! Anticipated number of children: 300 - Traditional Mexican Food Drawing for prizes + Game prizes Donations of games and toys needed – Please, nothing requiring batteries (expensive to maintain)
Contact: Gerry Scakacs - gerry@mexicanbay.com

December 25.   Navidad.     Christmas Day Celebrations


(Muchas gracias to Freda Rumford and Darcy Reed for help compiling the many events)