A vacation in Cancun feels like a never-ending holiday, but if you check the calendar, you'll find a few days where the party is an official one. Many of Mexico's celebrations recognize Catholic saints, and festivities often focus on the church. Secular events run the gamut from fishing tournaments to jazz festivals. Cancun has no major professional sports teams and few performing-arts companies, but there are weekly bullfights and folk-dance performances every weeknight. Also included in this calendar are some events in nearby Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.

For detailed information about upcoming events in the Cancun area, contact the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau. Phone 846-531. Toll-free 800-462-2628. http://www.gocancun.com.

To call any of the phone numbers listed in this calendar from outside Mexico, you must first dial your country's international access code, then Mexico's country code, 52, followed by Cancun's city code, 998, followed by the number listed. When dialing from within Cancun, dial the numbers as they appear.

Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.

August, 2008

Throughout August—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

September, 2008

16 Sep-Independence Day. Public holiday celebrated throughout Mexico with grand parades. Most banks and businesses are closed.

29 Sep-Fiesta de San Miguel. Cozumel holds a festival to commemorate St. Michael, the patron saint of San Miguel.

Throughout September—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

October, 2008

Throughout October—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

November, 2008

2 Nov—Dia de los Muertos. All Souls' Day or Day of the Dead. The spirits of the dead return to Earth at this time and are welcomed by their families. Special alters are set up in cemeteries and families eat meals a the graves of their dead. Public holiday.

20 Nov-Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Public holiday celebrating the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

Early November—Cancun BG Triathlon World Cup. The Cancun BG Triathlon World Cup is a number of mini-triathalon races for both teams and individuals. Athletes race from the ocean and throughout town. http://www.triathlon.org.

Throughout November—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

December, 2008

1-12 Dec—Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For this religious celebration for the patron saint of Mexico, many people make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Madonna of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Those who do not make the trip celebrate with a procession, music and carnivals after mass throughout the city.

16-24 Dec—Las Posadas. Each night the faithful re-enact Joseph and Mary's search for posada (shelter) on their journey to Bethlehem. For the less devout, it's an excuse for a party. Many hotels and restaurants hold their own Las Posadas festivities. For information, call 846-531, or toll-free 800-462-2628.

25 Dec-Christmas. Public holiday.

Throughout December—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

January, 2009

1 Jan-New Year's Day. Public holiday.

6 Jan-Epiphany. Public holiday. Restaurants serve a cake known as rosca de reyes, which contains a tiny doll. Whoever finds this trinket in their slice of cake is expected to invite everyone at the table to a supper of tamales and hot chocolate on 2 February to mark Candlemas, the end of the Christmas season in Mexico.

Throughout January—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

February, 2009

2 Feb-Constitution Day. Public holiday celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the Mexican constitution in 1917.

21-24 Feb—Carnival. The week preceding Ash Wednesday is celebrated throughout Mexico with dancing, parades and floats. It's especially festive on Cozumel.

Throughout February—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

March, 2009

21 Mar—Benito Juarez's Birthday. Public holiday honoring Benito Juarez, a much-revered 19th-century president.

Throughout March—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

April, 2009

10-13 Apr—Easter Holidays. Good Friday and Easter Sunday are two of the biggest holidays in Mexico. Cancun is often crowded with Mexican tourists this week. All banks and businesses are closed.

Late April—Fiesta del Cedral. An annual agricultural festival on Cozumel to celebrate the first Catholic Mass in Mexico. Activities include a fair, children's rides and dancing. Usually held the last weekend of April and into May. Continues through early May

Throughout April—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

May, 2009

1 May—Labor Day. Public holiday. Most banks and businesses are closed.

5 May-Cinco de Mayo. Public holiday that marks the defeat of the French by Mexican troops in 1862. It's actually a minor holiday in Mexico, but is much celebrated by Mexicans abroad. Cancun lights up with fireworks and parades.

22-25 May—Cancun Jazz Festival. This annual festival features nightly performances by top international jazz musicians in various venues throughout the Cancun area. For information, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 846-531, or toll-free 800-462-2628.

Early May—Fiesta del Cedral. An annual agricultural festival on Cozumel to celebrate the first Catholic Mass in Mexico. Activities include a fair, children's rides and dancing. Usually held the last weekend of April and into May. Concludes early May

Throughout May—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

June, 2009

1 Jun-Navy Day Fishing Tournament. A prestigious annual fishing tournament held in Playa del Carmen.

29 Jun-San Pedro y San Pablo. Cozumel celebrates this religious festival in honor of St. Peter and St. Paul with fair rides, food vendors, handicraft stalls and more.

Throughout June—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010

July, 2009

Throughout July—Bullfights. Weekly bullfights take place year-round at the Plaza de Toros, Paseo Kukulkajn. Tickets are sold through hotel travel desks. For information, call 884-8248 or 848-372. Continues through late December 2010