About Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe is one of Mexico's most important religious and cultural celebrations, honouring Our Lady of Guadalupe, the country's patron saint. It marks the belief that the Virgin Mary appeared to the Indigenous convert Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac in December 1531, leaving her image on his cloak. That image, kept in the Basilica of Guadalupe, has become a powerful symbol of Mexican faith and identity.
Each year millions of pilgrims, many travelling on foot or on their knees, converge on the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City — one of the most visited Catholic shrines on Earth. Celebrations begin late on December 11 with Las Mañanitas, a midnight serenade to the Virgin, followed by Masses, Aztec-inspired dances, mariachi, fireworks and offerings of roses, the flower tied to the apparition story.
The feast falls on December 12 every year, so the countdown above always points to the next celebration. Whether you join a pilgrimage, attend Mass or simply mark the date, add Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe to your own countdown page and count down to the day Mexico honours La Guadalupana.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Saturday, December 12, 2026next |
| 2027 | Sunday, December 12, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, December 12, 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, December 12, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, December 12, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe?
It is celebrated on December 12 every year, with festivities beginning the night before. The countdown above shows the exact time until the next one.
Why is the Virgin of Guadalupe important to Mexico?
She is Mexico's patron saint and a national symbol; her 1531 apparition to Juan Diego is central to Mexican Catholic faith and identity.
How is the day celebrated?
With pilgrimages to the Basilica of Guadalupe, the midnight Las Mañanitas serenade, Masses, traditional dances, mariachi and offerings of roses.
Where did the apparition take place?
On the hill of Tepeyac in what is now Mexico City, where the Basilica of Guadalupe stands today and houses the famous tilma image.