The fall season marks the beginning of many changes. The leaves fall, the temperature drops, and we prepare for a colder season. However, fall is a special time of year that marks the beginning of a wonderful time full of incredible festivals, traditions, and magic.
When we think of fall celebrations, the first thing that comes to mind is Halloween and Thanksgiving. Yet, many festivities around the world are worth checking out, whether it’s dressing up or even burning things!
From disguising ourselves from the dead to rejoicing the failure of an assassination attempt on the king, here are the best fall season traditions you can experience!
Halloween – October 31st
Halloween originates from a Celtic holiday known as Samhain. It was believed that the dimensions became lighter on this day, and the spirits and demons could walk in our reality. People dress up to camouflage themselves and go unnoticed.
Afterwards, the people celebrated by commemorating their saints, their martyrs, and all their departed. Currently children and adults dress up as their favorite characters to go from house to house to trick or treating and have a good time.
At Garza Blanca Cancun, we celebrate this holiday with a special Halloween buffet at our Blanca Blue restaurant from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm. We also surprise our guests with ghostly appearances that will make them jump from their chairs and enjoy a wonderful family atmosphere.
We have many activities, such as our pumpkin design contest. Get your best costume because we cannot forget the trick or treating for children.
Loi Krathong – November
On the night of the full moon of the twelfth month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, Thais celebrate Loi Krathong, which is a fall festival of light in honor of the ancient goddess of water.
It is a festival full of life and colors with fireworks, music, and dance performances that give the annual event a warm and festive feel. To celebrate hope and light, people throw candles in small floating boats (called Krathongs) to rivers, lakes, and even swimming pools.
Bonfire Night – November 5th
Bonfire Night ––also called Guy Fawkes Night–– celebrates that in 1605 a group of Catholics conspired to try to assassinate the Protestant monarch of England, King James I, and place a Catholic monarch.
Guy Fawkes was a Catholic soldier who participated in this collusion (called the Gunpowder Plot) to blow up the British Parliament and kill the King.
Guy Fawkes was captured and arrested while guarding an arsenal of gunpowder, frustrating the plot. So, every November 5th, thousands of Britons celebrate that King James I. was not hurt.
From big cities to small villages, there are fireworks displays and bonfires. Adults can enjoy drinks and food while enjoying the view.
It’s one of the few times in the year that the entire community comes together to light bonfires, share sparklers, build a fire in the garden, or share a cozy meal with lots of candles.
Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – November 1 & 2
The Day of the Dead is a rare holiday to celebrate death and life. It is not a mourning party, but a celebration.
In this celebration of the Day of the Dead, death does not represent an absence, but a living presence;
Family members create offerings to commemorate the deceased, filled with the bread of the dead, sugar skulls, photos, and their favorite food and drinks.
Legends say that once a year, our deceased return to be by our side.
To talk about the Day of the Dead is to talk about Mexico and Garza Blanca Cancun and TAFER are proudly Mexican companies, which honor this millenary tradition with a show with a guitarist at dinner time in our Blanca Blue restaurant, giving dinner a nostalgic touch.
Chuseok – Late September or Early October
Chuseok is a Korean harvest festival celebrated each year as determined by the lunar calendar.
During Chuseok, many Koreans return with family and friends to their hometowns to spend time with them while eating delicious food, thanking their ancestors by visiting their ancestral graves, and honoring the dead.
Koreans spend three days with their family, playing and eating typical dishes of the region. Many activities take place during this festival, such as traditional wrestling matches, musical competitions full of dances, and great parties.
Chuseok is a special time to cherish light over darkness, spread happiness, strengthen the bond between our loved ones, and honor our ancestors.
Rosh Hashanah – September 6th to 8th
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year; it is one of the holiest days in Judaism. It commemorates the birthday of the universe, the day it created Adam and Eve.
Rosh Hashanah 2021 begins on Monday, September 6th, 2021, and ends on the night of Wednesday, September 8th, 2021. The date of Rosh Hashanah varies each year as it is based on the Hebrew calendar.
It means “head of the year” or “first of the year.” It marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates with the holiday of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion.
During these days, people light candles at night, make festive meals with sweet delicacies during the night and the day. Prayer services include the sound of the ram’s horn (shofar) both mornings. There is no work during these days.
Thanksgiving – 4th Thursday in November
Thanksgiving Day is a traditional United States holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November during the fall season.
Thanksgiving Day commemorates when Native Americans and Pilgrims celebrated the “First Thanksgiving Day” after the first harvest in the New World.
Thanksgiving traditions include having a great turkey dinner, watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, or watching football. It is also a time for charity and provision of food for the poor, with most communities offering dinners or collecting food for those in need.
At Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta, you can celebrate Thanksgiving without giving up any of your traditions. We will prepare a Thanksgiving buffet feast held at TierraLuna Gardens on November 25th from 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm. You can join us to enjoy a fabulous turkey dinner with all the trimmings in a beautiful location nestled between the lush jungle and the Pacific Ocean. We will also be showing a special transmission of the NFL game on the big screen as the New Orleans Saints play the Buffalo Bills with the game starting at 7:20 pm.
There you go! These are our favorite traditions of the fall season. We know that these days are very significant. That is why at Garza Blanca, we strive to create an incredible experience and make unique dishes according to the holiday.
This fall, don’t miss the opportunity to do something unique and incredible with your family or friends and come and enjoy it with us. We guarantee that you will always have a great time, but you will have an even better time during this special season!
