The upcoming Semana Santa (Holy Week) vacations in Mexico promise to be a major highlight for families, students, and educators alike. For 2025, the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) has confirmed that the break will occur from Monday, April 14, 2025 through Friday, April 25, 2025. This extended pause in the academic calendar is anticipated with great enthusiasm, offering not just a refreshing break for students but also a chance to connect with cherished traditions and enjoy family time.
According to the official school calendar released by the SEP for the 2024-2025 academic year, the vacations will provide a total of 10 working days free from school, stretching into 14 days when weekends are counted. This timeframe gives families an ample opportunity to plan trips to popular destinations, engage in recreational activities, or simply relax and enjoy time together at home.
This year, the extended break applies to students in several educational stages, including basic education which encompasses preschool, primary, and secondary levels, as well as upper secondary education, which involves preparatory schools and high schools. However, it is noted that institutions for higher education, such as universities, have the discretion to adjust their calendars accordingly. Thus, checking with each university is advisable to determine their specific holiday schedules.
In a bid to enhance how families can make the most of their break, the SEP suggests a variety of activities that individuals can undertake during the holidays. These recommendations include engaging in cultural and religious trips to magical towns such as Taxco, San Miguel de Allende, or Real de Catorce. Families might also participate in local religious processions or events, notably in culturally rich cities like Puebla or Querétaro.
Meanwhile, for families looking for more adventurous pursuits, visiting picturesque beaches such as Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, or Los Cabos could be an ideal choice. Moreover, eco-tourism adventures are encouraged, with Chiapas and Oaxaca presenting themselves as attractive options for those keen on nature and exploration.
For those opting to remain home, the SEP has not overlooked the possibility of engaging in enjoyable activities like Easter-themed craft workshops or cozy family movie nights featuring films related to Semana Santa.
As families across Mexico gear up for this much-anticipated holiday, it’s important to highlight the adjustments made by the SEP to extend the vacation period. This adjustment demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing the well-being of students and educators alike, providing them with a substantial pause in their demanding schedules.
In a related development, the SEP has introduced a comprehensive school calendar that includes new regulations, ensuring that primary and secondary education involves 190 effective teaching days, while training schools for educators will have 195. This means that, among other changes, there are two major holiday periods noted: the winter break from December 19, 2024, to January 8, 2025, and the Semana Santa break from April 14 to April 25, 2025.
Various suspension periods are also included in the calendar to ensure the academic calendar remains intact while still offering necessary breaks. Some of these dates include September 16 and November 18, 2024, as well as February 3, March 17 of the following year, and significant dates in May. Hence, while children look forward to their extended break, changes to the academic calendar have also brought balance to educational efforts while still allowing moments of relaxation.
For instance, the traditional Feria Nacional de San Marcos will coincide with the holiday period in some regions, providing students in states such as Aguascalientes an additional opportunity to engage in local festivities. This region has planned to adjust their holiday schedule, allowing for the Semana Santa vacation to begin on April 17, 2025 and extend to April 30, 2025. While the national holidays end on April 25, certain states will gain additional time off to partake in significant local events without disrupting their educational commitments.
The Feria Nacional de San Marcos is not only a tourist attraction but also a significant cultural event, featuring numerous artists and entertainment activities set to take place from April 19 until May 11. By aligning the two events, the government hopes to foster a sense of community and participation in both religious and cultural observances.
As students prepare for their semester break, they will also enjoy upcoming long weekends or puentes. For instance, there is a scheduled school closure on March 28 for a Council Technical Educational meeting, leading into the Semana Santa vacations where students will not attend classes from April 14 through April 25.
Soon after returning to classes in May, students will encounter additional holidays such as Labor Day on May 1 and Teacher's Day on May 15, which further support the idea that learning should be balanced with necessary downtime aimed at mental and physical wellness.
In summary, this year's Semana Santa vacation is shaping up to be an excellent opportunity for cultural, recreational, and familial bonding, thanks to the thoughtful adjustments made by the SEP in the academic calendar. Families are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in all the enrichments that come with the holidays, whether that be through travel, celebrations, or simply reconnecting at home.
With the school year concluding on July 16, 2025, the final semester will be filled with lessons and experiences leading into the end of the academic cycle, ensuring students transition smoothly into summer activities. These carefully crafted breaks emphasize the importance of rest and community engagement within Mexico's educational framework, reiterating how such moments are vital to the holistic development of students.
