Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon

Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon is a concept typical of Mexican culture. It began in the decade of the 1990s and informally refers to the vacational period from December 12 (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) to January 6 (Day of the Three Wise Men or "Tres Reyes Magos"). During this period there are several holidays which, linked together, create a "marathon" of festivities.

The celebrations linked together by the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon are:

• December 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
• Every evening from December 16 to December 24: The nine Posadas parties.
• December 24: Last posada and Christmas Eve (Nochebuena).
• December 25: Christmas
• December 28: Holy Innocent's day, which in Mexico is remembered playing practical jokes.
• December 31: New Year's Eve
• January 1: New Year's Day
• January 6: Day of the Three Wise Men
• The last celebration of the season is Day of Candelaria on February 2. In Mexico, this festivity is linked to the feast of the Magi on January 6 by the traditional rosca de reyes. It is also common to celebrate consuming the traditional atole and tamales. However, being almost a month away from all the celebrations that happen in late December and early January, it is excluded from the "Marathon". Common celebrations include consuming alcoholic beverages daily leading up to a mass celebration on the last day of the festival.

The name of the marathon (Guadalupe Reyes) has also been used in advertising. Certain comedy shows sometimes feature the fictional character of "Guadalupe Reyes", a proper Mexican name which can belong either to either a male or a female.

See also

• Public holidays in Mexico