Know Before You Go: Visiting Mexico City During Holy Week

As Lent comes to a close, Holy Week begins. In fact, Holy Week officially starts on Palm Sunday, one week before Easter Sunday. In line with the broader Catholic celebrations of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Holy Week in Mexico City is made up of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Masses, processions, and other religious traditions occur throughout the week, and students typically have two weeks of vacation. Many workers also choose to take time off to spend the holidays with family.

Insider tip: Although Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are not general public holidays, banks will be closed, so make sure to plan ahead.

Visiting Mexico City during Semana Santa is ideal for those who want to avoid crowds and traffic, as many residents return to their hometowns. Traveling within the city—either on a guided tour, via public transportation, or with a private driver—is often faster than usual due to the lack of congestion.

Keep in mind, though, that visiting Mexico City during Holy Week does require a little more research to account for the restricted opening hours of some stores and restaurants. Fortunately, major attractions, including the National Museum of Anthropology and the Frida Kahlo Museum, maintain their normal opening hours.

Insider tip: March and April are the final months of the dry season in Mexico City, with warm days and mild nights that make sightseeing a breeze. Pack light, but don’t forget a jacket.

Some of the biggest Semana Santa events in Mexico City are held in the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Passion Play of Iztapalapa is a highlight for many local Catholics, drawing enormous crowds to watch the reenactment of Jesus’ final moments over multiple days, including the crucifixion reenactment, which takes place on Good Friday on a mountain called Cerro de la Estrella.

In the Museo de El Carmen in San Ángel, a colorful altar is erected on the Friday of Sorrows (immediately preceding Palm Sunday) to pay respect to the Virgin Mary’s suffering. Visit this historic convent, then wander the cobblestone streets of the surrounding neighborhood for an immersion into local life during Holy Week in Mexico City.

Insider tip: The neighborhood of Iztacalco is also known for its Tuesday of the Poppies (Easter Tuesday) celebrations, when doorways are decorated with flowers.

Along with the religious festivals, there are plenty of secular things to do in Mexico City during Holy Week. During Semana Santa, Chapultepec Forest typically hosts a celebration of nature through talks, exhibitions, workshops, music, and dance with a different theme each year; in 2024, the theme was the lives of bats and the 2025 theme is the world of fungus.

Otherwise, in the southern district of Xochimilco (also home to Mexico City’s famous canals), the Ice Cream Festival takes over the neighborhood of Santiago Tulyehualco during Semana Santa. The history of the festival dates back to 1529, with more than 100 artisanal ice cream flavors including rose petal, pulque, and mole on offer. Xochimilco is beyond the reach of the Mexico City metro, so you’ll have to take the light rail, bus, or a taxi to get there. Alternatively, book a tour that includes a ride on a trajinera, or flat-bottomed boat.

On top of a packed Holy Week Mexico City itinerary, you can take a day trip to picturesque Taxco or Puebla for another perspective on the Semana Santa celebrations. Taxco (a 2.5-hour bus ride from Mexico City) is known for its somber “silent processions” as well as the historical silver mines that made the city famous during the colonial era. You can also find silent processions in Puebla (a 2-hour bus ride), as well as Masses and an Easter Vigil at the Puebla Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you’re willing to travel farther afield, San Miguel de Allende is another popular spot to visit at Easter time. You can book bus tickets from Mexico City in advance and plan for an early start.

Most Mexico City Holy Week festivals, including church services, processions, and passion plays, are free and open to the public and some, such as the Passion Play of Iztapalapa, get particularly crowded.

Museums and cultural sites charge admission fees as normal, while many churches have a donation box near the entrance. Cultural tours, including general Mexico City sightseeing tours unrelated to Holy Week, may sell out during this busy period, so book ahead wherever possible.

Insider tip: Classical music and folkloric dance performances at the Palacio de Bellas Artes are ticketed year-round. Check the events schedule to find out what's on during your visit.

Unfortunately, many parts of Mexico City are not wheelchair accessible due to the uneven sidewalks, cobblestone streets, and a lack of ramps throughout the city. The crowds at some Holy Week events can exacerbate this problem for those who use mobility aids. The Metropolitan Cathedral and other major buildings in the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo), however, have ramps and wide doorways.

Traffic and street closures during processions can also make transportation unpredictable, but taxis and rideshare apps are available—and nearly all stations of the Metrobus bus rapid transit system are accessible. Consider viewing processions from an accessible hotel or restaurant balcony along the route to avoid crowds on the ground.

Insider tip: For Mexico City Holy Week travel tips relating to your specific accessibility needs, it might be worth contacting your hotel before your arrival.

• Does Mexico City shut down for Easter? Visiting Mexico City close to Easter can be tricky due to bank closures and the high number of locals leaving the city. However, the large majority of attractions and stores will remain open.

• What's the best day of Holy Week to visit Mexico City? Palm Sunday and Good Friday are the most prominent Mexico City Easter celebrations, with processions and reenactments throughout the city.

• What should I wear for Holy Week celebrations in Mexico City? With some exceptions, locals in Mexico City generally dress more modestly than in the coastal regions of the country. If you're visiting a church, it’s recommended to cover your shoulders and knees. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for watching the parades and processions.