Christmas and New Year in Mexico
The holiday season is one of the best times to visit Mexico. The festivities go beyond just Christmas and the New Year. Back-to-back cultural and religious celebrations run from December 12 (Guadalupe) to January 6 (Día de Reyes). In Mexico, the 26 days of parties are jokingly called the “maratón Guadalupe-Reyes.”
This time of year, the weather is typically dry, with the highland regions seeing near-freezing temperatures and the coasts staying warm. Head to the highlands for cuisine and culture, or stick to the coast to soak up the sun and spot whale migrations. Or, experience both regions, spending Christmas in the highlands and heading to the coast for New Year’s. Travel with a private driver for better flexibility and to enjoy the scenic coastal roads.
Prices peak on the coast from Christmas through New Year's, and hotels book up quickly. Reserve your accommodation and any tours well in advance. Expect closures on December 25 and January 1, legal rest days in Mexico.
Because days are short, sightsee in the morning. Travel between cities in the daylight, using a private car transfer for a secure, convenient experience. Choose one or two base cities for shorter holiday trips, and take private day trips to explore nearby destinations.
It’s a busy time of year for visitors and locals, so plan ahead for a stress-free holiday trip. Use our guide to decide when to go, what to see, and how to get around.
Our data suggests
Our travelers take almost twice as many daily trips in Mexico from December 26 to January 4 as they do the rest of the year.
Mexico’s festive calendar
Virgen de Guadalupe: December 12th
Honors the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint. Millions of pilgrims travel to Mexico City. Fireworks, music, processions, and special local snacks.
Las Posadas: December 16th to 24th
Neighborhood parties that reenact Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. Processions from house to house, traditional carols, and parties.
Nochebuena: December 24th
Christmas Eve, families gather for a huge dinner and attend midnight Mass. Baby Jesus is added to the nativity scenes.
Navidad: December 25th
Christmas Day, a relaxed day with family, spent eating leftovers and visiting with loved ones.
Día de los Santos Inocentes: December 28th
The “Day of the Holy Innocents,” similar to April Fools’ Day. Lighthearted practical jokes among family, friends, and the media.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: December 31st to January 1st
Welcoming the New Year. Traditions like eating 12 grapes at midnight or wearing specific colored underwear bring luck in different areas.
Día de Reyes: January 6th
Three Kings Day. Celebrates the arrival of the Magi. Children leave out shoes for gifts. Families share rosca de Reyes, a ring of sweet bread.
Pastorelas: December 16th to 24th
Humorous folk theater performances telling the story of the shepherds trying to find Bethlehem. See staged productions in Tepotzotlán.
Where to spend Christmas in Mexico
When deciding where to spend Christmas in Mexico, choose a base city rather than chasing a single event. Our favorite base cities offer festive atmospheres and are ideal launch points for day trips to nearby sights.
When deciding where to spend Christmas in Mexico, choose a base city rather than chasing a single event. Our favorite base cities offer festive atmospheres and are ideal launch points for day trips to nearby sights.
Christmas rituals
Christmas in Mexico crescendos for nine days, peaking on the night of December 24. Join the fun and take part in Mexican Christmas traditions open to the public, like posada processions and street parties. Expect a warm atmosphere, lots of music, and locally varying traditions.
Guadalupe
Around 13 million pilgrims arrive in Mexico City to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, peaking on the night of December 11. Expect crowds and road closures.
Posada
Pilgrims sing for lodging, engaging in a call-and-response carol with hosts who eventually let them in for food and a piñata.
Piñata
Celebrations feature a seven-pointed piñata that represents the deadly sins. The candy inside represents blessings earned through faith.
Nacimiento
The manger scene is set up around December 16, until families add the baby Jesus on December 24.
Misa de Gallo
Christmas Eve Mass, usually held between late evening and midnight.
Nochebuena flower
Known in other countries as a poinsettia, this bright red plant is native to Mexico and appears around the holidays.
Did you know
The poinsettia’s English name comes from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US minister to Mexico, who sent cuttings home in the 1820s. The Aztecs called it cuetlaxóchitl.
Mexico’s best Christmas markets and light shows
Christmas markets in Mexico might be different than what you’re used to. Instead of classic European-style stalls, Mexico offers flower markets, handcrafted piñata stalls, and elaborate light festivals. Check out these festive options, easily reached on private day trips from hubs like Mexico City.
Christmas markets in Mexico might be different than what you’re used to. Instead of classic European-style stalls, Mexico offers flower markets, handcrafted piñata stalls, and elaborate light festivals. Check out t...
Villa Iluminada, Atlixco
Follow magical illuminated walking paths. See the Christmas Museum and the festival’s market stalls.
Acolman International Piñata Fair
See handcrafted piñatas and attend craft workshops. Enjoy live concerts, folk dancing, and local snacks.
Festival Luces de Invierno
Admire massive light installations, artful nativity scenes, and huge displays of nochebuenas (poinsettia flowers) in the Zócalo, Mexico City.
Mercado de Jamaica
Visit this 24-hour flower market to shop for nochebuenas flowers throughout December. In Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City.
Mercado de Sonora
See large-scale nativity figures and piñatas. Shop for handicrafts and gifts. In Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City.
Villa Navideña, Mérida
Wander through giant light displays and stop for winter-wonderland photo ops. Enjoy live musicals and a food market.
Regional Christmas traditions
Mexican Christmas traditions share some national customs, but certain rituals vary by region. Stay in one base city for Christmas to experience its local twist on national traditions.
Mexican Christmas traditions share some national customs, but certain rituals vary by region. Stay in one base city for Christmas to experience its local twist on national traditions.
Noche de Rábanos (Oaxaca)
Celebrate the Night of the Radishes. Watch artisans sculpt huge radishes into nativity scenes and mythical creatures.
Calendas (Oaxaca)
Watch these high-energy parades with giant puppets and brass bands. Marchers often share mezcal with spectators.
Pastorelas (central Mexico)
See witty satirical performances depicting the shepherds’ journey to newborn Jesus. Popular across central Mexico.
Santos Inocentes pranks
Families and friends pull lighthearted pranks on December 28, and satirical broadcasts ensue.
Yucatán Christmas
Attend music festivals born from cattle-ranching culture. Eat relleno negro, a turkey dish with black spicy broth.
La Rama (Veracruz)
Children cut and decorate a tree branch and go door to door singing in exchange for small gifts. Popular in Xalapa.
The Christmas table
The main Christmas meal is enjoyed on the night of December 24, often after Mass. This Nochebuena dinner blends Spanish and pre-colonial influences. The next day, families revisit the leftovers at lunch (recalentado).
The main Christmas meal is enjoyed on the night of December 24, often after Mass. This Nochebuena dinner blends Spanish and pre-colonial influences. The next day, families revisit the leftovers at lunch (recalentado).
Bacalao a la Vizcaína
Salted codfish stewed in tomatoes, potatoes, olives, capers, and peppers. Rich and briny.
Romeritos
Wild greens cooked in a mole sauce, served alongside potatoes or shrimp patties.
Pavo o pierna
Turkey or pork, roasted and glazed in a spicy sauce. The main protein dish.
Tamales
Corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese, or chiles, steamed in corn husks. Made in large batches, usually a group effort.
Ensalada de Nochebuena
Seasonal fruit and vegetable salad, fresh and vibrant. Features beets, jicama, citrus, and pomegranate seeds.
Ponche navideño
Hot fruit punch made with tejocotes, guavas, apples, sugarcane, cinnamon, and hibiscus. Sweetened to taste.
More festive season foods
Atole
Warm, comforting drink made from blended corn, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Champurrado is a chocolate version.
Pozole
Traditional soup with meat, ground corn, and a rich chile broth. Served with fresh cabbage, radish, cilantro, and lime.
Buñuelos
Crispy dough disks drenched in syrup and cinnamon. A classic at New Year's.
Rosca de reyes
Wreath-shaped sweet bread studded with candied fruits. Plastic baby Jesus figure hidden inside.
Colaciones
Traditional candy of the Christmas posadas. Hard, bright candies with peanuts, anise seeds, or orange flavor.
Aguinaldo bags
Gift bags given to children after a posada or Christmas party. Seasonal fruit, candy, and sugar cane sticks.
New Year’s Eve traditions
New Year’s Eve in Mexico is just as much about rituals as it is about fireworks. Each tradition is supposed to bring luck in love, money, or travel. The party also doesn’t stop on New Year’s Day; it runs through to Día de Reyes on Jan. 6.
12 grapes
Eat 12 grapes at midnight, making one wish for each grape and chime of the bell.
Underwear colors
Manifest luck in the new year with your underwear choice. Wear red for love, yellow for money, and green for health.
Suitcase walk
Invite travel and adventure into your new year by walking around the block with a suitcase at midnight.
Sweeping out
Many households clean and sweep out the old year before midnight, hoping to clear the home of negative energy.
Lentils
Eat a spoonful of lentils, or hold them in your hand at midnight, to invite wealth.
Día de Reyes, Jan. 6
Eat the rosca cake. Whoever finds the hidden baby Jesus figurine must serve tamales on Día de la Candelaria (Feb. 2).
Practical tips
The winter holidays are Mexico’s busiest travel season; prepare accordingly. Expect shorter daylight hours, holiday closures, and school break crowds. To keep the festive season stress-free, plan your trip with these tips in mind.
- Expect closures of government buildings, small businesses, and most restaurants on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
- Book coastal stays and airport transfers early for the popular Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 period.
- Know that basilicas in major cities will be crowded Dec. 11 and 12 for Guadalupe.
- Pack layers for highland nights, which can reach near-freezing temperatures despite sunny, dry afternoons.
- Choose private transfers over long-distance buses during peak holiday periods for a more comfortable and convenient ride.
Our recommended Christmas routes in Mexico
Cancun to Tulum
1h 36min • 124km (77.1mi)
From US$114
Cancun to Playa del Carmen
50min • 61km (37.9mi)
From US$68
Tulum to Playa del Carmen
51min • 65km (40.4mi)
From US$68
Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende
3h 38min • 266km (165.3mi)
From US$252
Mexico City to Puebla
2h 14min • 132km (82.0mi)
From US$151
Merida to Tulum
3h 9min • 259km (160.9mi)
From US$270
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca de Juarez
3h 7min • 195km (121.2mi)
From US$323
Cancun to Merida
3h 24min • 315km (195.7mi)
From US$329
Merida to Valladolid
1h 49min • 160km (99.4mi)
From US$216
Merida to Playa del Carmen
3h 17min • 288km (179.0mi)
From US$306
Puebla to Atlixco
39min • 31km (19.3mi)
From US$37
Mexico City to Oaxaca de Juarez
5h 58min • 462km (287.1mi)
From US$442
Best Christmas day trips
Mexico City to Tepotzotlan: Private day trip
Puebla to Cholula and Atlixco: Private day trip
Mexico City to Teotihuacan: Private day trip
Oaxaca to Teotitlan del Valle and Tlacolula: Day trip
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Your Christmas in Mexico questions, answered
About the author
Morgan Carpenter is a US-based travel writer who’s visited 19 countries so far. She prioritizes culinary experiences and outdoor adventures at every destination.
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