January 1st – New Year’s Day – Año Nuevo – First day of the year.

Fireworks are lit and champagne glasses are toasted at the stroke of midnight between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. “Feliz Año Nuevo!” is often the first expression that is shared among friends and family on January 1 – it simply means “Happy New Year”.

Meals of celebration that are eaten on New Year’s Eve and reheated on New Year’s Day include: bacalao (dried, salted codfish); buñuelos (fried dough ball dessert); and ponche (fruit punch). It is common for family and friends to get together later during the day to eat the leftovers (recalentado).

New Year’s Day is a statutory holiday: Most workers, public and private, are entitled to take the day off with regular pay.

Fireworks over Médano Beach and Cabo San Lucas Lucas harbor, New Year’s morning 2014.

Fireworks over Medano Beach and Cabo San Lucas harbor, January 01, 2011
Photos © Copyright Joseph A. Tyson