14 de Noviembre
Santa Cecilia Neighborhood, Tuxtla Gutiérrez
In the heart of the Chiapanecan capital, the Festivity in Honor of Saint Cecilia is celebrated as one of the region’s most important religious and cultural events. The celebration begins with a procession departing from the Parish of San Roque and San Bartolomé Apóstol, winding through the city center, where worshippers and musicians join in a heartfelt display of faith and joy. Along the way, participants carry the image of the saint, candles, and colorful ribbons, while mariachi groups—joined spontaneously by other musicians—perform songs dedicated to the patron saint of music.
Throughout the celebration, visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional expressions, such as the daily midday offering of pozol, as well as fresh beverages, coffee, and bread after religious ceremonies. The festivity also includes the presence of event queens and a vibrant artistic program featuring mariachi performances, dance groups, live marimba music, clowns, singers, and keyboardists who entertain attendees.
The religious aspect holds a central place in the celebration, with masses, rosaries, holy hours, and processions organized by various groups of devotees. On the 21st, the eve of Saint Cecilia’s day, traditional joyonaqués—Zoque offerings crafted from interwoven flowers and leaves—are brought to the chapel. Throughout the festival, somés, offerings made of wooden rods wrapped with regional foliage and decorated with bread, fruit, or utilitarian items, are also presented and later shared among the faithful. Cleaning products and household items are sold to help support the chapel. At midnight, the traditional serenade takes place, where dozens of mariachis gather at the chapel to sing “Las Mañanitas” and crown the Virgin.
On November 22, at 5:30 a.m., a moving procession takes the image of the Virgin through the Santa Cecilia neighborhood, accompanied by music, fireworks, candles, and colorful ribbons. At the end of the procession, participants are offered tamales, coffee, bread, and champurrado. In the afternoon, a community meal is held, and during the main mass, the ceremonial coronation of Saint Cecilia takes place, marking the closing of the festivity, which concludes with artistic and cultural performances in an atmosphere of celebration.
Throughout the celebration, visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional expressions, such as the daily midday offering of pozol, as well as fresh beverages, coffee, and bread after religious ceremonies. The festivity also includes the presence of event queens and a vibrant artistic program featuring mariachi performances, dance groups, live marimba music, clowns, singers, and keyboardists who entertain attendees.
The religious aspect holds a central place in the celebration, with masses, rosaries, holy hours, and processions organized by various groups of devotees. On the 21st, the eve of Saint Cecilia’s day, traditional joyonaqués—Zoque offerings crafted from interwoven flowers and leaves—are brought to the chapel. Throughout the festival, somés, offerings made of wooden rods wrapped with regional foliage and decorated with bread, fruit, or utilitarian items, are also presented and later shared among the faithful. Cleaning products and household items are sold to help support the chapel. At midnight, the traditional serenade takes place, where dozens of mariachis gather at the chapel to sing “Las Mañanitas” and crown the Virgin.
On November 22, at 5:30 a.m., a moving procession takes the image of the Virgin through the Santa Cecilia neighborhood, accompanied by music, fireworks, candles, and colorful ribbons. At the end of the procession, participants are offered tamales, coffee, bread, and champurrado. In the afternoon, a community meal is held, and during the main mass, the ceremonial coronation of Saint Cecilia takes place, marking the closing of the festivity, which concludes with artistic and cultural performances in an atmosphere of celebration.
