Discover this Year’s El Cedral Festivities on Cozumel

El Cedral Festival Returns to Cozumel with Cultural Pride—and a Commitment to Animal Welfare

One of Cozumel’s most treasured traditions is back. The El Cedral Festival, now in its 177th year, will take place from April 28 to May 3, 2025 in the village of El Cedral, on the island’s southern side. A celebration rooted in faith, family, and community, this festival blends deep religious tradition with vibrant cultural expression—and this year, organizers are working to balance those traditions with modern values, especially around the treatment of animals.

A Festival with Deep Roots

The El Cedral Festival—also known as the Festival of the Holy Cross—was first held in 1848, after Casimiro Cárdenas, a survivor of the Caste War, vowed to honor the Holy Cross every year for sparing his life during a brutal attack in the Yucatán. After relocating to Cozumel, Cárdenas kept his promise, and his descendants—and the entire Cozumel community—have carried the tradition forward ever since.

Over the years, the event has evolved into a multi-day celebration featuring religious ceremonies, traditional dances, horse races, music, and food, drawing families from across the island and curious visitors from around the world.

Cultural Events and Animal Safety

This year, organizers have confirmed the return of equestrian shows, rooster exhibitions, and a bullring for potential charlotadas or Portuguese-style bullfighting, both of which are designed to avoid harming the animals involved.

• Charlotadas are comedic bullring spectacles involving games with young bulls or heifers—not the violent blood sport many associate with bullfighting.

• Portuguese-style bullfights, if approved, would follow a model where the bull is not killed or injured.

• The rooster exhibition will follow the “casteo” concept, where birds are judged on size, feathers, and appearance only—no fights involved.

• Horse races have been cleared as non-harmful and will be monitored under safety standards.

Commissioner Óscar Pinto Silva, of Ejido Villa Cozumel, has assured the public that any events violating animal welfare laws will be removed or modified. All activities must be approved by the Cozumel City Council and the State Government, and will be held in a secured bullring already designated for this purpose.

In addition to animal events, the festival will feature collaborations with the State Culture Secretariat, including the celebration of International Dance Day on April 29, along with traditional novenas, live music, and a family-friendly fair atmosphere. As always, the heart of the festival remains the people—especially the families of El Cedral and the descendants of Don Casimiro, who gather each year to honor their history and keep their promise to the Holy Cross alive.

If you’re in Cozumel during the festival, don’t miss the chance to experience this unique blend of history, culture, and celebration. It’s one of the few places in Mexico where tradition is not just preserved—it’s lived, year after year.