Mexico Events and Festivals

1/01/2010 - 1/31/2010Fiesta of San Sebastian the Martyr

This colourful week-long celebration marks the martyrdom of the Christian saint San Sebastian who was put to death by the Roman Emperor Diocletian on 20 January AD287. Despite its rather gruesome origins, the festival is a jovial event famed for its 'parachicos' tour, which features a dancing procession beginning at the Santo Domingo Church and ending at the San Antonio Hermitage. Like all good festivals, food plays a significant part of the celebrations and visitors can expect traditional dishes such as 'pepita con tasajo' - succulent beef in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce. Many participants are dressed in regional costumes and on the night of the 21st there is re-enactment of a naval battle on the Grijalva River which ends with a fantastic fireworks display.