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MAY 5: Cinco de Mayo Parade (Desfile del Cinco de Mayo) — Puebla, Puebla. The civic-military parade takes place each year in the Blvd. Heroes del Cinco de Mayo. Many elementary schools participate in this event where the young students march representing their schools. As part of the parade, there will also be an exhibition of motor vehicles leaded by the specialized police force, and military forces marching such as the infantry regiment. Many of Puebla’s government authorities will be present at this Parade. For more information, call: (011 52) 22 2246 12 85

MAY 8-14: Canadian Tour-Mazatlan Corona Classic — Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Considered one of the most important golf events in the world, the Canadian Tour will make its first stop in Mexico in Mazatlan and receive 156 players from 15 different countries. The purse this year is US$125,000. www.cmcgolf.com

MAY 13-16: Acapulco Boat Show–Acapulco, Guerrero. Aimed at fostering an interest in sea and water sports, as well as promote Mexico’s nautical market, this exposition features everything from mega yachts to aquatic motorcycles. National and international exhibitors include manufacturers, distributors and marina service providers. Boat owners, prospective buyers and sea lovers in general are welcome to attend. www.acapulcoboatshow.com

MAY 8: Vineyards Flowering Festival–Ensenada, Baja California. Noon-5pm: Family fair with games, regional foods, wine and live entertainment at Mogor Badan Winery, Carr. Tecate-Ensenada Km. 83.5 in Valle de Guadalupe. Admission: US$2/children, US$10/adults (includes wine tastings from different wineries). Proceeds benefit Albergue San Vicente Shelter. Info & tickets: Viajes Damiana, tel. (646)178-3136 or Baja California Winemakers Association, tel. (646)178-3038; email: brac@telnor.net

MAY 8-14: Canadian Tour-Michelin Morelia Classic in Morelia, Michoacan. Considered one of the most important golf events in the world, the Canadian Tour will make its final stop in Morelia. The purse this year is US$125,000. www.cmcgolf.com

TBD: 18th Alarconian Theatrical Festival (XVIII Jornadas Alarconianas)–Taxco, Guerrero. The picturesque silver mining town of Taxco will host 10 days of artistic and cultural events including literature, music, theater, dance, opera and artworks presented by local artists. www.guerrero.gob.mx/dominios/turismo/taxco.htm

TBD: ROLEX/IGFA Offshore Championship–Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. This annual competition attracts more than 60 qualifying teams from 33 countries representing 250 international anglers and their guests to Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos area for four days of intense fishing on 44 local charter boats. Each team is allowed to weigh two fish of each species on each day of fishing, and top prizes include engraved gold and stainless Rolex watches. www.igfa.org/tour_os_2006ud.asp

TBD: Morelia Organ Festival–Morelia, Michoacan. The capital city of Morelia will celebrate once again the XXX International Organ Festival, gathering together organists from around the globe. Held in the majestic pink stone cathedral of Morelia, this event is renowned for its spectacular performances, complemented by art exhibits throughout the city. Contact: imcultura@michoacan.gob.mx

MAY 21-JUN 6: International Wine and Cheese Festival (Feria Internacional de Queso y Vino)–Tequisquiapan, Queretaro. The enchanting town of Tequisquiapan hosts this annual wine and cheese festival, bringing together wine and cheese producers from all over the country. Apart from wine and cheese tasting, visitors will also enjoy regional cuisine, concerts, handicrafts and other cultural events. www.tequisquiapan.com.mx/index.php

MAY 17-21: International Cup Vallarta Soccer – Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. If you like soccer and the beach, this is a great opportunity to visit Puerto Vallarta. The Committee responsible for this event is formed by the Municipality of Puerto Vallarta, the tourism board and is also supported by the Football Soccer Association. For the third consecutive year, this event will take place in one of the most beautiful and visited places internationally. For more information, visit: www.vallartadeportes.com

TBD: XXI Huatulco Sail Fishing Tournament (XXI Torneo Internacional de la Pesca de Pez Vela)–Huatulco, Oaxaca. Huatulco, an excellent site for sport-fishing and surfing, hosts this popular annual tournament, now in its twenty-first year.

MAY 27: 22nd Annual Triathlon Banamex—Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. Hundreds of athletes will run, swim and bike along the scenic coasts of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Winners take home trophies and cash prizes. www.asdeporte.com

MAY 28: The Horse Festival - Ensenada, Baja California. Organized by Cucapa Equestrian Ranch, in the valley of Guadalupe, close to Ensenada, takes place an event that gives you a taste of Baja California, Mexico. The day is filled with exhibitions of equestian arts in all its’ disciplines combined with art, food and wine. For more information, visit: http://www.diadelcaballo.com/

APR 3-7: International Guitar Festival of Morelia (Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Morelia)–Morelia, Michoacan. Michoacan, with its rich musical traditions and home to one of the oldest conservatories in Latin America, is the perfect host for this popular guitar festival. The program features recitals, contests, conferences, seminars and expositions, with local as well as international artists participating from Venezuela, Chile, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Cuba and the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit: www.figmorelia.com

APR 7-23: Mexico City’s Fair (Festival de la Ciudad de Mexico) — Mexico City. One of the main events in Mexico City taking place at the Sports Palace (Palacio de los Deportes) with great surprises and entertainment for the entire family. This fair, organized by OCESA, includes many attractions that kids and grown-ups will love, like the circus, go karts, amusement park rides, and an incredible Musical Forum that will include many artists like Merengazo 21, Banda Old Days, Sonora Santanera de Carlos Colorado, Conjunto Costa Azul de Rigo Tovar, and much more. The cost of admission is $35 pesos p/p. For more information, please visit: http://www.ocesa.com.mx/

APR 9-16: Sardine Fishing Ritual (Pesca de la Sardina)–Tacotalpa, Tabasco. In the picturesque village of Tapijulapa, an enchanting cavern known as the Cave of the Sardines (Cueva de la Sardina) is the site of an annual religious ritual with prehispanic roots. The ritual involves fishing for sardines for the purpose of imploring Mother Nature to bring sufficient rain for the crops. The more sardines caught during the ceremony, the better the harvest will be. Cultural festivities are celebrated prior to the ritual, starting on March 13 to the 19.

APR 9-16: Holy Week (Semana Santa)–Nationwide. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday, the week’s religious celebrations include reenactments of the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. The most renowned celebrations are held in Mexico City, Patzcuaro, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, San Cristobal de las Casas and Taxco.

APR 15-MAY 13: San Marcos Fair (Feria de San Marcos)–Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes State. A colorful three-week festival featuring handicrafts, bullfights, folk dancing, games, cockfights, fireworks, cultural events and local cuisine. The National Poetry Prize and a traditional competition of typical dress also take place during this international celebration.

APR 7-16: Cultural Festival of Zacatecas (Festival Cultural de Zacatecas)–Zacatecas, Zacatecas State. This festival features displays of literature, dance, theater, music and art in several venues throughout Zacatecas State. http:// www.zacatecas.gob.mx/agendacultural05.htm

APR 8-15: Polo Tournament “Gran Copa Agua Alta” Costa Careyes, Puerto Vallarta, JaliscoCosta Careyes is located 2 and a half hours south of Puerto Vallarta and a little more than an hour north of Manzanillo International Airport on the Mexican Pacific Coast, on the famous Costalegre. For more information about this event, please visit: http://www.mexicopolo.com/

APR 20-30: Newport Beach Film Festival, Rosarito Baja California Norte. Each Spring, Newport Beach rolls out the red carpet during its annual Film Festival showcasing hundreds of features, short films, documentaries and animation movies from around the world. In addition to film screenings, the festival includes several galas and yacht parties, as well as offers the rare opportunity to interact with directors and screenwriters during question and answer sessions that provide an inside look into the film industry. www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com

APR 28-30: 59th Annual Newport Beach to Ensenada International Yacht Race–Ensenada, Baja California. Yachting competition originating in Newport Beach, California to Ensenada with more than 50 participating yachts, featuring a festival and ceremony upon their arrival in Ensenada.

TBD: Xalapa Fair (Feria de Xalapa)–Xalapa, Veracruz. Referred to as the Athens of Veracruz, the capital city of Xalapa is bursting with culture. The Xalapa fair dates back to the 18th century and offers a variety of artworks, handicrafts and unique products from the region at excellent prices. The fair features activities for all ages.

APR 28-MAY 14: Tabasco Fair 2006 (Feria de Tabasco 2006) –Parque Villahermosa, Tabasco. Famous for its Olmec artifacts, Villahermosa Park hosts this colorful state fair where 17 counties share their best in cuisine, arts and crafts. Visitors can also enjoy the colorful boat parade over the Grijalva River and the outdoor theater in the evenings where plays are presented by each county. From April 28 to May 14, some prior festivities take place such as beauty contestants, street band performances and car and boats parades. www.tabasco.gob.mx

APR 22: Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Ride, Rosarito Beach, Baja California. Head south of the border with 10,000 of your closest amigos for this fun ride along the Pacific Coast and inland through rural countryside from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, Mexico. The event course is 50 miles of paved highway on the old Free Road from Rosarito Beach south to the city of Ensenada. Avid cyclists should finish in two hours, with the average time to complete being 4 1/2 hours. www.rosaritoensenada.com

APR 22-30: San Marcos Fair (Feria de San Marcos)—Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas: A popular fair dedicated to the patron saint of the Capital City of Chiapas. The traditional elements will stand out, such as the processions in which they carry offerings named somés, made with leaves, fruits and candy. For more information, please call: (01152) 961 602 52 98.

APR 30: Children’s Day (Día de los Niños) — Mexico City: Celebrated in schools across Mexico, April 30 is recognized as el Día del Niño, or Children’s Day. Mexican niños receive cakes, candies and gifts. With more than six million children living in the city, Mexico City features a wide variety of attractions for children. For more information, please visit: www.defiestaeneldf.com.

MAR 3: Night of the Witches (Noche de Brujas)–Catemaco, Veracruz. Is modern medicine getting you down? Need a cure or are you just a bit curious? The small lakeside town of Catemaco, referred to as the mecca of witch doctors, attracts thousands of people seeking non-conventional healing methods, and many swear by the results. Taking place the first Friday night of March every year, the annual gathering is a spectacle of witches, healers, magicians and wizards.

MAR 5: LALA International Marathon Torreon 2006—Torreon, Coahuila. Torreon will host thousands of national and international runners in one of the most important and traditional marathons in Mexico. This year, the 17th LALA International Marathon winners will be selected for the World Cup Marathon in Helsinki 2005, the fist places in each category will also receive $250,000 pesos. www.maratonlala.org

MAR 3 –APR 2: International Nautical Festival Vallarta 2006–Nueva Vallarta, Nayarit. Four-day event in the Bahía of Banderas (Flag Bay) featuring sailing and a variety of beach activities. Fun for the entire family.

MAR 3-5: Corona Rally Mexico–Guanajuato State. The cities of Guanajuato, Silao and Leon in Guanajuato State will host the 2006 Corona Rally, a two-day race covering 600 miles of central Mexico’s majestic plateaus and mountains in 15 legs of intense off road driving. This time, the León-based event will feature a new and spectacular stage on the outskirts of the city. Not to be missed is the wide array of festivities that always accompany the rallies. Traditional dance, music and food promise to put the Mexican spirit into this event. www.rallymexico.com

MAR 13-20: Xochimilco Festival–Xochimilco, Mexico City. Held annually two weeks before Easter, this four-day event dates back to precolonial times when Mexicans honored the goddess of flowers (Xochipilli) and the goddess of dance (Maculxochitl) to ensure good harvests. Every year, a young woman is crowned La Flor Mas Bella del Ejido (the most beautiful flower of the land) who presides over colorful parades on flower-decorated barges along Xochimilco’s famed canals.

MAR 16-19: 5th International Motorcycle Festival–Saltillo, Coahuila. Saltillo welcomes hundreds of riders to this unique event, just a three hours’ ride from Texas. www.amoden.com

MAR 17-21: Tajin Summit (Cumbre Tajin)–Tajin, Veracruz. This festival evokes the spring season (a time of renovation) and celebrates the archeological sites and natural beauty of Veracruz. The central theme of Tajin 2006 is the Ritual. www.cumbretajin.com

MAR 21: Spring Equinox (Equinoccio de la Primavera)—Chichen-Itza, Yucatan. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan peninsula to witness the afternoon shadow of the snake-god Kukulcan slowly “crawl down” the country’s largest Mayan pyramid, El Castillo.

MAR 23-26: II International Forum on Solidary Tourism and Fair Trade – Chiapas A great international meeting mainly built to make reflect and help to create alternatives, including ecological conservation, cultural awareness, social impartiality by establishing strong relationships between producers and consumers. For more information, please visit: http://www.fits.chiapas.gob.mx/

MAR 24 -31: Guadalajara Film Festival–Guadalajara, Jalisco. Now in its 21st year, this contemporary film festival is the oldest and most important film festival in Mexico, offering the best selection of Mexican and Ibero-American films of the year. The festival features a variety of films including feature-length films, shorts, documentaries and children’s films. www.guadalajaracinemafest.com.

MAR 25 – APR 8: XXII Mexico City Festival (XXII Festival del Centro Historico)–Mexico City, Mexico. Regarded as one of Latin America’s most vibrant celebrations of art and culture, this two-week festival features diverse events including opera, concerts, theater, art exhibits, dance productions and gourmet fare. More than a million local and international spectators will flock to Mexico City for the festival, and proceeds go toward the rescue and restoration of the art and architecture of Mexico City’s historic downtown area. www.fchmexico.com

MAR 26-APR 2: Zihuatanejo Internacional Guitar Festival – Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. The event runs from Sunday through Sunday, with daily events throughout the week. A great opportunity to visit the beautiful beaches, the warm ocean breezes, the charm of a sleepy fishing village on one of the most beautiful and unspoiled bays in Mexico. For more information, please visit: www.zihuafest.info/

MAR 31 – APR 18: The Cuernavaca Fair (Formerly known as: La Feria de la Flor / The Flower Fair)–Cuernavaca, Morelos. This fair fills Cuernavaca’s streets with flower booths and gardening competitions. At night, everyone gathers at the main plaza for a laser light show. Pay a visit to the famous Borda Gardens, once the residence of Emperor Maximillian and his wife Carlota.

FEB 2: Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria)–Nationwide. Celebrated with candlelit processions and dancing in many towns throughout the country, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas celebration. On this national holiday, families and friends gather together to enjoy tamales and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour). The musical events, parades and dances are especially memorable in the port city of Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, where a bull is rafted into town and released.

FEB 5: Día de la Constitución. An official holiday that commemorates Mexico’s Constitution.

FEB 17-19: 4TH National Motorcycle Reunion (Reunion Nacional de Motociclismo) – Zamora, Michoacán. The event will include bike acrobats, a live rock concert, tours to the most beautiful places in Zamora and surroundings, among others. For more information, visit: www.amoden.com

FEB 23-28: Carnival (Carnaval)–Nationwide. Celebrations begin five days before Ash Wednesday and are marked by parades, parties and dancing in the streets. Some of the most famous and festive celebrations are held in the port towns of Veracruz, Campeche (www.webcampeche.com ), Mazatlan (www.carnavalmazatlan.com.mx) and Ensenada, while carnaval in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas is one of the most important indigenous celebrations in Mexico, involving purification ceremonies and ethnic dances that depict Mayan legends.

FEB 27: Seashells and Wine Festival-Ensenada, Baja California. Now in its 6th year, this exquisite festival will take place at the Salon Rojo y Patio Bugambilias, celebrating the fine wine from the region. For more information, contact: fiestasvendimia@hotmail.com.

FEB 19-22: El “Cielo” International Nature Festival (Festival Internacional de la naturaleza “El Cielo”)–Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas. This festival welcomes hundreds of visitors to interact with nature in one Mexico’s most famous biosphere reserves.

FEB 22 – MAR 5: 3rd International Contemporary Film Festival of Mexico City (Festival Internacional del Cine Contemporaneo de la Ciudad de Mexico)–Mexico City. Hosted by Cinemex, the Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival is a ten-day showcase featuring 150 international pictures, among them winners at the Venice, Berlin and Cannes film festivals. www.ficco-mex.com/

FEB 27 – MAR 4: Mexican Tennis Open—Acapulco, Guerrero. The Mexican Open is the most important tennis open in Latin America and ranks fifteenth in the world. It is part of the International Gold Series ATP and Tier III of the WTA. Champions from this tournament will go to the US Open in New York. www.abiertomexicanodetenis.com.

FEB 21-MAR 1: Carnaval Veracruz 2006—Veracruz, Veracruz. Known for its Afro-Caribbean-influenced culture, the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico hosts the second-largest Carnaval in the country. Visitors should not miss the chance to dance at the zocalo, or main square. Salsa, cumbia, reggae and marimba are popular, as well as danzon. For more information, please visit: www.veracruz-puerto.gob.mx/turismo/.

FEB 22-MAR 1: Carnaval Merida 2006—Merida, Yucatan. This Carnaval is about fantasy, magic and mystery. Different parades and dances take place along a route that goes from the San Juan Park (parque de San Juan) up to the Flag Monument (Monumento a la Bandera). For more information, please visit: www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval/

FEB 22-28: Carnaval Cozumel 2006—Cozumel, Quintana Roo. One of the most popular celebrations in the Mexican Caribbean, Cozumel has commemorated this pre-Lenten celebration for nearly 100 years bringing Carnaval to life in an exciting explosion of color and music. Cozumel’s unique celebration includes a variety of costumed characters, such as Harlequins, rumba dancers, Spaniards, gypsy women, fairies, princesses, bullfighters, and kings and queens that can be spotted during the week. For more information, visit www.cometocozumel.com.

FEB 22-28: Ceremony of the Pocho Dance–Tenosique, Tabasco. Dating back to prehispanic times, the traditional “Pocho” dance means it’s almost Carnaval time in Tabasco. The Pocho consists of a series of dances and other ancient ceremonies performed by masked dancers, many dressed as jaguars and tigers. The dance symbolizes the purification of man through the battle between good and evil. The Pocho performances begin on January 20 at the main park in Tenosique and on all subsequent Sundays prior to the commencement of Carnival. On the last day, the dancers dance backwards from the main square to the church where the dance began.

TBD: 4th Annual Extreme Adventure Competition–Husteca, Hidalgo. This competition, which will take place in the mountainous region of the state, has been labeled by top international racers as one of the most important adventure competitions around the globe. More than U$S 60,000 in prizes will be awarded at the competition. This year’s route will cover many different disciplines including kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, canyoneering, swimming and caving. Teams from countries well known for their adventure enthusiasts like Australia, the U.S., Sweden, Spain and Mexico will be represented. www.eah2005.com

TBD: Tapachula International Fair (Feria Internacional de Tapachula)–Tapachula, Chiapas. Cattle trade show featuring livestock, rides, bullfights, rodeos, cockfights and sport races, with a cultural twist.

TBD: Desert Cultural Fair (Festival Cultural para el Desierto)–Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. Cultural exposition showing off the beautiful state of Sonora, which borders with the Gulf of California.

JAN 1: New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)–Nationwide. Mexico rings in the New Year with celebrations featuring music, dance, food and fireworks. Streets are filled with revelers, and friends and families congregate for parties that often last till dawn. One tradition calls for eating twelve grapes, one with each stroke of the chiming bell at midnight, for luck during the next 12 months.

JAN 5-22: 2nd Merida International Art Festival “Merida Cultural City”(2do Festival Internacional de las Artes “Merida Capital Cultural”)–Merida, Yucatan. In celebration of the city’s founding more than 464 years ago, this festival features music, dance, poetry readings, photography exhibitions as well as films and exhibits of local and international artist. http://www.merida.gob.mx/festival/

JAN 6: Three Kings’ Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes)–Nationwide. The Feast of the Epiphany recalls the arrival in Bethlehem of the three wise men (reyes magos) bearing gifts for baby Jesus. This is the day of traditional gift-giving for children in the central and southern regions of Mexico. Rosca de Reyes, a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits with a small doll baked inside, is served on this day. Whoever is lucky enough to find the figure in his slice of bread must host a party on February 2, Candlemas Day, offering tamales (stuffed cornflour cakes wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves) and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour) to the guests.

JAN 14 – FEB 8: Leon State Fair—Leon, Guanajuato. Leon City, located just 45 minutes outside of Guanajuato, hosts this annual fair which features concerts, dance, food and much more. Some of the highlights for this year’s fair is Robert´s International Circus, The traditional Palenques, Dolphins exhibition and more. http://www.ferialeon.org/ or info@ferialeon.org

JAN 15-23: St. Sebastian Fiesta (Fiesta de San Sebastian el Martir)–Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. This fiesta is famous for its “Parachicos” tour, which features a dancing procession from San Jacinto church throught Santo Domingo church back and fordward, ending in a delectable food festival featuring traditional dishes such as “Pepita con Tasajo” made of beef in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce. On the night of the 21st, a traditional nautical battle takes place on the Grijalva River which concludes in a spectacle of fireworks.

JAN 17: Feast Day of de San Antonio de Abad. Is a religious holiday during which the Catholic Church allows animals to enter the church for blessing.

JAN 28: The Rural Tourism Fair—Oaxaca, Mexico. The sixth such regional event co-created by Amigos del Sol and Planeta.com in Oaxaca City, Mexico. This alternative to traditional mass tourism allows travelers to visit rural areas. Options include hiking and biking,visiting community museums and buying crafts. Mexico considers rural tourism a critical feature in its promotion of travel alternatives, including adventure travel and ecotourism. For more information visit: http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/feriarural2006.html