Father’s Day in Mexico – the celebration began to become popular in the late 50’s. While not as popular as Mother’s Day, the nation does celebrate with the family
3rd Sunday in June
Father’s Day was first celebrated in West Virginia to commemorate the lives of 210 miners who died in a mining accident. It appears that it was a single year celebration.
Two years later, Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane Washington organized Father’s Day on June 19, 1910 to recognize her father. He was a civil War veteran and single parent; his wife died in childbirth to his sixth child.
Dodd organized the celebration – originally planned to commemorate her father’s birthday of June 5th, but the date was pushed back to the third Sunday in June because there was not enough time to organize the event.
Three years later the holiday was introduced to the US Congress and in 1916 then President Woodrow Wilson traveled to Spokane to celebrate the day. Congress refused to recognize the holiday until 1966 when President Lyndon B Johnson issued a presidential proclamation designating Father’s Day as the third Sunday in June. President Richard Nixon signed it into law and Father’s Day became a US National holiday.
While most nations celebrate Father’s Day on the 3rd Sunday in June, many others recognize dad’s on other dates.
In Mexico, the celebration began to become popular in the late 50’s and became a commercially promoted day at that time. Much like Mother’s Day, presents are given – chocolates, t-shirts, cards and festivities are centered around family activities. Community based activities sometimes include pot-lucks, fun runs, children’s concerts.
In Mexico it is an opportunity for the family to unite and give special recognition to papas or papa-like role models..
Note Father’s day is an observance and not a formal federal holiday in Mexico
Calendar of Events and Celebrations in Mexico
Heat Lightening
Signs of Tropical Summer: Heat Lightning
As I sat last night watching the pyrotechnic show of heat lightning, I thought how amazing that something so beautiful could be so deadly. One needs to know that lightning is the visible form of energy transfer and needs to be respected as a potential dangerous weather phenomenon.
Heat lightning is the term for the flashes of lightning on the horizon or within clouds that do not have accompanying sounds of thunder. The reason for this silent lightning is that it is very far away and the sound waves dissipate before they reach the observer.
Generally, heat lightning occurs as an early warning sign that thunderstorms are approaching, or it can appear after a thunderstorm has moved past an area. In coastal Mexico, heat lightning is most often seen during August and September out over the ocean at night- this is the remnants of storms that formed during the day along a sea breeze front coming in from the interior mountains.
Another reason for the name of heat lightning is because it usually happens on hot summer nights and to distinguish it from lightning accompanied by audible thunder and cooling rainfall. Since this summer in the Riviera Nayarit we have had the heat and high humidity but not much rainfall, there has been an abundance of heat lightning.
In addition to the heat lightning, we have experienced what scientists call dry lightning: lightning strikes with thunder but without significant precipitation. There have been several dramatic thunderstorms that boomed and flashed for hours, but the official San Pancho weather station recorded only .08 of measured rainfall!
Believe me, the humidity did not dip noticeably afterwards. Dry thunderstorms are common in the western portion of the US and Mexico. This type of storm results when the rain produced by a thunderstorm falls through a substantial layer of very dry air which evaporates the precipitation before it reaches the ground.
According to the National Weather Service, less than a tenth of an inch of rain is the threshold for characterizing a thunderstorm as dry.
Potential for Damage: Don’t let sunshine fool you into thinking there is no danger for lightning strikes. One week this summer we had three afternoons in a row where it was full sun with a storm cloud-free sky yet there was thunder. A friend returned home to find that lightning struck her house electrical connection and fried/burnt up EVERYTHING that was plugged in: appliances, TV and computer modems included. Very expensive situation.
During the intense thunderstorm season I keep everything but the refrigerator (on a heavy duty surge protector) unplugged; yes, it is inconvenient as hell, but I have had to replace several microwaves, computer systems and printers over the years of tropical living so I take precautions now. Knowing that thunder indicates lighting is happening in the area, I get out of the pool even though the storm mass isn’t visible. The NASA map shows lightning frequency for 2011. The places with the largest number of lightning strikes are deep red. Much more lightning occurs over land than ocean because daily sunshine heats up the land surface faster than the ocean.
The heated surface heats the air, and more hot air leads to stronger convection, thunderstorms, and lightning. The map also shows that more lightning occurs near the equator than near the poles. This pattern is also due to differences in heating. The equator is the warmest spot in the world, creating widespread convection, thunderstorms, and lightning across the tropics every day.
It’s the physical composition of Mexico that attracts thunderstorms en mass: interior mountains bordered by oceans and sub-tropic and tropical latitudes. Add the huge population of tourists and residents and it is not surprising that Mexico has the highest incidence of lightning strikes in the world. The US National Lightning Safety Institute estimates that 24,000 people are killed by lightning strikes around the world each year and that an additional 240,000 are injured.
A reported 223 people were killed in Mexico last year, 50 in the US, and only 3 in Canada. Lightning strikes can produce severe injuries, with a significant mortality rate from a direct hit; of those that survive, 80% will have long-term injuries. These severe injuries are not usually caused by thermal burns, since the current is too brief; instead nerves and muscles are directly damaged by the high voltage producing holes in their cell membranes-ugh.
Take Precautions: The safest way to avoid injury from lighting strikes is to get indoors or inside a vehicle as soon as you hear thunder or see lightning of any type. Remember that it doesn’t have to be raining for lightning to hit. The risk remains for up to 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder. Even when you are in a safe shelter, avoid using telephones, modems, and other electric devices, warns the National Lightning Safety Institute. A harmful over current can reach a person through the phone jack, Ethernet cable or electric outlet. I personally know an individual who felt the over current while taking a shower during a thunderstorm.
The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends using the F-B (flash to boom) method to gauge distance to a lightning strike. It’s ok to take the time to compute this once you are sheltered, but don’t stay outdoors as you do it. The formula approximates the distance by timing the interval between the visible lightning and the audible thunder it generates. So, a flash preceding thunder by three seconds is about one kilometer (0.62 mi) (3×340 m) distant.
Consequently, a lightning strike observed at a very close distance will be accompanied by a sudden clap of thunder, with almost no perceptible time lapse, and a distinctive smell.
The ancient people, Aztec and Mayas, had the right attitude by viewing lightning as a deity or achieving its power from a deity. We might have the scientific explanations in the 21st century, but viewing the natural phenomenon of lighting still brings a tremble and awe for the power of nature.
National Maritime Day in Mexico (Día de la Marina) June 1st
Observed annually on June 1, National Maritime Day (Día de la Marina) is a civic holiday in Mexico, honoring the nation’s maritime industry and naval forces. While widely recognized, it does not grant workers a paid day off.
Significance and Celebrations
Modeled after similar observances in other countries, the holiday acknowledges individuals serving in the Mexican Navy, civil maritime sector, and merchant fleet. Coastal cities such as Acapulco, Veracruz, and Puerto Vallarta host parades, fireworks, ship tours, and award ceremonies, along with traditional music and dancing. The Mexican flag is flown at full staff across government offices, and the day is used to raise awareness about the maritime sector’s role in national security and the economy.
Historical Background
The holiday was first observed in 1942 during World War II to commemorate two Mexican oil tankers, SS Potrero del Llano and SS Faja de Oro, which were sunk by German submarines, prompting Mexico to declare war on Germany. However, its official date marks the 1917 departure of the SS Tabasco, the first vessel crewed entirely by Mexican-born sailors from the Port of Veracruz.
Mexico’s Maritime Industry – Key Facts
- Coastline: Nearly 7,000 miles spanning the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.
- Major Ports: Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Altamira, and Ensenada.
- Merchant Fleet: 668 vessels as of 2021, ranking 34th globally.
- Seafarers: Over 5,900 work in Mexico’s merchant navy.
- Shipbuilding: Less than 0.01% of the world’s ships are built in Mexico.
- Top Exports: Cars, motor parts, computers, delivery trucks, and crude oil, primarily to the USA, Canada, China, and Germany.
Celebrations
Coastal cities often host vibrant fishing tournaments, sailing regattas, sand sculpture contests, and off-road races. The festivities blend official ceremonies with public fiestas, creating an atmosphere of excitement and national pride.
National Maritime Day in Mexico remains a moment to honor those who serve at sea and to celebrate the country’s maritime heritage.
As of the 2026 Michelin Guide edition, there are 29 restaurants in Mexico with a Michelin-star rating.
The Michelin Guides have been published by the French tire company Michelin since 1900. They were designed as a guide to tell drivers about eateries they recommended to visit and to subtly sponsor their tires, by encouraging drivers to use their cars more and therefore need to replace the tires as they wore out. Over time, the stars that were given out became more valuable.
The Michelin Guide debuted in Mexico in 2024. Inspectors visited five states—Baja California, Baja California Sur, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, and Quintana Roo—and the capital city, Mexico City. Sixteen restaurants earned one star and two, Pujol and Quintonil, received two.[No restaurant earned three stars. Among the awarded restaurants, Michelin included a taco stand, Taquería El Califa de León. Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, said it took time to choose which restaurants to visit. He added that 11 Mexican food restaurants in other countries had one Michelin star, and two had two as of 2023.
Multiple anonymous Michelin inspectors visit the restaurants several times. They rate the restaurants on five criteria: “quality of products”, “mastery of flavor and cooking techniques”, “the personality of the chef represented in the dining experience”, “value for money”, and “consistency between inspectors’ visits”.
Inspectors have at least ten years of expertise and create a list of popular restaurants supported by media reports, reviews, and diner popularity. If they reach a consensus, Michelin awards restaurants from one to three stars based on its evaluation methodology: One star means “high-quality cooking, worth a stop”, two stars signify “excellent cooking, worth a detour”, and three stars denote “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”.The stars are not permanent and restaurants are constantly being reevaluated. If the criteria are not met, the restaurant will lose its stars.
In the second edition, in 2025, no restaurants lost their Michelin stars, and five new ones were added to the list. In 2026, the Mexico guide expanded to include the states of Jalisco, Puebla, and Yucatán. Seven restaurants received stars, while El Califa de León lost its reward.
List
 |
One Michelin star |
|---|---|
 |
Two Michelin stars |
|
—
|
The restaurant did not receive a star that year |
| Name | Cuisine | Location | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcalde | Mexican | Jalisco – Guadalajara | — | — | |
| Animalón | Mexican | Baja California – Valle de Guadalupe | |
|
|
| El Califa de León | Mexican | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | |
|
— |
| Le Chique | Contemporary | Quintana Roo – Riviera Maya | |
|
|
| Cocina de Autor Los Cabos | Mexican | Baja California Sur – Los Cabos | |
|
|
| Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya | Creative | Quintana Roo – Riviera Maya | |
|
|
| Conchas de Piedra | Seafood | Baja California – Valle de Guadalupe | |
|
|
| Damiana | Mexican | Baja California – Valle de Guadalupe | |
|
|
| Los Danzantes Oaxaca | Mexican | Oaxaca – Oaxaca City | |
|
|
| Em | Mexican | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | |
|
|
| Esquina Común | Mexican | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | |
|
|
| Expendio de Maíz | Mexican | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | — | |
|
| Gaba | Mexican | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | — | — | |
| Ha’ | Mexican | Quintana Roo – Playa del Carmen | |
|
|
| Huniik | Mexican | Yucatan – Merida | — | — | |
| Ixi’im | Mexican | Yucatan – Chocholá | — | — | |
| Koli Cocina de Origen | Mexican | Nuevo León – Monterrey | |
|
|
| La Barra de Huniik | Mexican | Yucatan – Merida | — | — | |
| La Once Mil | Mexican | Mexico City – Miguel Hidalgo | — | — | |
| Levadura de Olla | Mexican | Oaxaca – Oaxaca City | |
|
|
| Lunario | Mexican | Baja California – El Porvenir | — | |
|
| Masala y Maíz | Fusion | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | — | |
|
| Máximo | Mexican | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | — | |
|
| Olivea Farm to Table | Contemporary | Baja California – Ensenada | — | |
|
| Pangea | Contemporary | Nuevo León – San Pedro Garza García | |
|
|
| Pujol | Mexican | Mexico City – Miguel Hidalgo | |
|
|
| Quintonil | Mexican | Mexico City – Miguel Hidalgo | |
|
|
| Rosetta | Creative | Mexico City – Cuauhtémoc | |
|
|
| Sud 777 | Creative | Mexico City – Álvaro Obregón | |
|
|
| Xokol | Mexican | Jalisco – Guadalajara | — | — | |
Students’ Day (Día del Estudiante) in Mexico (May 23)
In Mexico, Students’ Day (Día del Estudiante) is observed on May 23rd to recognize the significance of education and students’ contributions to the nation’s development. This day commemorates a historic student movement advocating for university autonomy in 1929.
Key Details:
- Date: May 23rd
- Significance: Honors students’ right to education and their impact on society.
- Historical Background: The origins of this day date back to May 1923, when students at the National University of Mexico protested a new grading system and called for greater university autonomy.
Historical Context:
- While International Students’ Day is celebrated worldwide on November 17, different countries have their own student recognition days.
- In Mexico, student protests at the National University of Mexico escalated on May 23, 1923, leading to clashes with the police, during which several students were injured.
- Professors backed the movement, and negotiations eventually led to university autonomy. The institution was renamed the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), granting independence from the Secretariat of Public Education and giving the university rector full authority.
Observance:
- May 23rd is widely celebrated by students across Mexico, though it is not an official public holiday.
- Mexico has a mix of public and private universities, including federal universities, technological institutes, state universities, research centers, and private institutions.
This day serves as a reminder of students’ role in shaping education and advocating for academic freedom.
