Public holidays in Mexico

In Mexico, there are three major kinds of public holidays:

• Statutory holiday: Holidays observed all around Mexico. Employees are entitled to a day off with regular pay and schools (public and private) are closed for the day.
• Civic holiday: These holidays are observed nationwide, but employees are not entitled to the day off with pay, and schools (public and private) still continue.
• Festivities: These are traditional holidays to honor religious events, such as Carnival, Holy Week, Easter, etc. or public celebrations, such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, etc.

Dia de la Independence or Anniversario de la Independence, September 16, commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain and is the most important patriotic statutory holiday. Parades are held and many schools are closed.