Holy Week is one of the main religious festivities of the year. In 2025, the following dates will be celebrated in order: Palm Sunday on April 13, Maundy Thursday on April 17, Good Friday on April 18, Holy Saturday on April 19, and Easter Sunday on April 20.
For students at basic levels in Mexico, such as preschool, primary, and secondary, the Holy Week vacation will last two weeks. According to the calendar of the Secretariat of Public Education for the 2024-2025 school year, the vacation is scheduled from April 14 to 25, returning to classes on April 28. This duration of vacation will also apply to high school students of the SEP.
In contrast, schools of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) will only have one week of vacation, from April 14 to 18, resuming classes on April 21. On the other hand, schools of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) will have vacation from April 17 to 25.
Although Holy Week is not considered a holiday by law in Mexico, some companies may grant their employees days off during the religious festivities in April. This Catholic celebration marks the last days of the life of Jesus Christ and is commemorated with various religious activities and public events, such as representations of The Passion of Christ.
Holy Week is also a period when many people take the opportunity to travel, which benefits the tourism and commercial sector in Mexico during spring. Although the Federal Labor Law does not recognize these days as holidays, there are cases where certain companies grant rest to their employees, especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Regarding the payment for Holy Week days, there is no obligation to pay triple salary, but workers who work on Sunday are entitled to a Sunday bonus equivalent to 25% of their additional salary. For example, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday have this benefit, while the other days are paid normally.
Some workers who will have rest during Holy Week are teachers and other education employees, as the SEP considers this period as vacation. UNAM also offers rest to some of its workers during these dates.
