How Many Bank Holidays Does Mexico Actually Have? A Full Breakdown

Hey everyone, it’s your Holiday Little Assistant again. Recently, a little friend asked me about how many bank holidays in Mexico. I figured since a lot of folks are curious about this—whether you’re planning a trip south of the border, doing business with Mexican companies, or just trying to figure out when the banks are closed—it’s worth breaking down in plain English. So let’s dive right in and get you the full scoop.

First off, let’s clear up a common mix-up. When people say “bank holidays” in Mexico, they usually mean official public holidays where banks, government offices, and most businesses shut down. But here’s the thing: Mexico actually has two types of holidays—statutory or mandatory holidays (those are the ones where workers get the day off by law) and optional or non-mandatory holidays (where some places close, but some don’t). For banks specifically, they pretty much always close on the big mandatory ones, but they might also close on some optional ones depending on the bank or the state you’re in.

So, how many bank holidays are we talking? Officially, Mexico has eight mandatory federal public holidays according to the Federal Labor Law. These are the days where banks, schools, and government offices are legally required to close. But wait—there’s more. Some states add their own local holidays, and there are also “banking holidays” that the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) lists separately. Let me break it all down for you.

Here are the eight major statutory public holidays in Mexico that banks almost always observe:

1. New Year’s Day (January 1) – Classic holiday, everything’s closed.

2. Constitution Day (first Monday in February) – This used to be on February 5, but now it’s moved to the closest Monday to make a long weekend.

3. Benito Juárez’s Birthday (third Monday in March) – Again, a Monday shift to celebrate the legendary former president.

4. Good Friday (varies in March or April) – This is part of Holy Week (Semana Santa), and it’s a major deal. Banks close.

5. Labor Day (May 1) – Yes, Mexico celebrates International Workers’ Day, and banks shut down.

6. Independence Day (September 16) – This is Mexico’s biggest patriotic holiday. Banks are closed, and the whole country parties. It’s not Cinco de Mayo (that’s a minor holiday there, by the way).

7. Revolution Day (third Monday in November) – Commemorates the Mexican Revolution, moved to Monday for a long weekend.

8. Weihnachtstag (25. Dezember) – Banks closed, obviously.

That gives you exactly eight mandatory bank holidays. But hold on—there’s also Holy Thursday (the Thursday before Good Friday) which is sometimes observed by banks, even though it’s not a mandatory federal holiday. Many banks in Mexico take Holy Thursday off as an optional holiday, so that could make it nine days depending on the bank. Also, Day of the Dead (November 2) is a huge cultural celebration, but it’s not a mandatory public holiday—some banks may close, but many stay open. It really varies.

Then there are the CNBV’s official banking holidays. The Mexican banking regulator publishes a list each year that includes the usual eight federal holidays plus sometimes an extra day or two. For example, sometimes January 6 (Día de los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings’ Day) is listed as a banking holiday, but that’s not a federal public holiday. It’s more of a traditional day, and some banks close early or not at all. So the exact number for banks can be 8, 9, or even 10 depending on the year and region.

But here’s the kicker: Mexico also has non-mandatory holidays that schools and some businesses observe but banks usually don’t. Stuff like Flag Day (February 24), Mother’s Day (May 10), Und Virgen de Guadalupe Day (December 12) are widely celebrated, but you’ll still find banks open. So if you’re asking purely about “days the bank is closed,” stick with the eight mandatory ones plus maybe Holy Thursday.

Also important: if a holiday falls on a weekend, it doesn’t automatically get moved to a weekday in Mexico (unlike the U.S. where Monday is given). But as you saw, some holidays like Constitution Day and Revolution Day have been officially shifted to Mondays to create “puentes” (long bridges). So you’ll get a long weekend, which is nice for travelers but means banks are closed on that Monday, not the actual original date.

Questions related to how many bank holidays in Mexico

Are bank holidays the same across all states in Mexico?
Not exactly. While the eight federal holidays are consistent nationwide, each of Mexico’s 32 states can add its own local public holidays. For instance, in Quintana Roo (Cancun area), they have a state holiday for the founding of the state. Banks in that state might close on those local days, but banks in Mexico City won’t. So if you’re banking in a specific state, check for local additions.

Do banks close early on holiday eves?
Generally, no. Banks in Mexico usually stay open full hours on days before a holiday (like December 24 or December 31) unless the day itself is a holiday. But some smaller branches might close at noon on December 24, so it’s smart to call ahead or check online. Safe bet? Don’t count on banking after 2 PM on Christmas Eve.

What about “Semana Santa” (Holy Week)?
Good question! The only official bank holiday during Holy Week is Good Friday. Holy Thursday is not mandatory, but many banks close anyway. Some banks also close on Easter Sunday, but Easter is not a federal public holiday in Mexico. So if you need to bank during Semana Santa, aim for Monday through Wednesday.

Can I still use ATMs or online banking during bank holidays?
Absolutely. ATMs run 24/7, but might run out of cash if a long weekend is coming up. Online banking works fine. But you won’t get any human customer service or in-person transactions at branches.

Are there any special “banking only” holidays in Mexico?
Yes, there’s something called “Día del Empleado Bancario” (Bank Employee’s Day) which is sometimes celebrated on June 26 or June 27. It’s not a public holiday for the whole country, but some banks close or operate with reduced staff that day. You probably won’t see it on a general Mexican holiday calendar, but it’s on the CNBV list for some years.

To wrap it all up: for most practical purposes, Mexico has 8 official bank holidays that are mandatory across the country. But if you include Holy Thursday and the occasional extra banking day, it can be 9 or even 10. The best way to be 100% sure is to check the CNBV banking holiday calendar for the specific year and also the local state holidays if you’re in a certain region. Planning a trip? Avoid those days if you need bank services. Want to experience Mexican culture? Bank holidays are some of the best times for festivals and parades.

Thanks for reading from your favorite public holiday calendar.com! I hope this article helped you fully understand how many bank holidays in Mexico and what they mean for your plans. If you’ve got more questions—like which holidays are best for travel, how to spot a “puente” weekend, or what to do when banks are closed—just give us a shout. Your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help!