Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – December in Puerto Vallarta is a season of warmth, joy, and cherished traditions that bring families, friends, and communities together. Mexico’s rich cultural heritage shines brightly during this time, as the city buzzes with celebrations rooted in history and brimming with holiday spirit.
The festivities kick off with Las Posadas, a cherished nine-night event from December 16 to 24. This reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter is a touching display of unity. Processions wind through neighborhoods, where participants sing villancicos (traditional carols) and seek posada, or shelter. These gatherings end with lively feasts, piñatas, and the shared joy of togetherness that defines the holiday spirit.
Puerto Vallarta’s streets transform into a festive wonderland. Poinsettias, or Nochebuenas, add splashes of red to markets and homes, while intricate nativity scenes, known as Nacimientos, tell the story of Jesus’ birth with remarkable detail. The air hums with excitement, as locals and visitors alike embrace the holiday cheer.
This year, holiday celebrations are elevated with Puerto Vallarta’s Mar de Regalos Christmas festival, which began on December 18 with an official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Los Muertos Pier and continues through January 1. Nightly programming features Christmas films, live DJs, seasonal shows, saxophone performances, traditional villancicos, folkloric dance, boleros, and more at Los Muertos Pier, Los Arcos del Malecón, Parque Hidalgo, and Lázaro Cárdenas Park.
On Christmas Eve, or Nochebuena, the celebrations reach their peak. This day-long fiesta is more significant than Christmas Day in Mexico. Families gather for hearty breakfasts, afternoon parties, and late-night feasts filled with traditional dishes, music, and laughter. The festivities often stretch into the early hours of Christmas morning, creating unforgettable memories.
Christmas Day itself offers a quieter contrast – a day for rest, reflection, and quality time with loved ones. Families enjoy leftovers, children play with new toys, and the city pauses to recharge.
The fun resumes on December 28, El Día de los Inocentes (the Day of the Innocents), Mexico’s version of April Fools’ Day. Playful pranks abound, and jokesters gleefully exclaim, “¡Inocente Palomita!” to their unsuspecting victims.
As the year draws to a close, New Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta is a spectacle of joy. Families share late-night dinners, while revelers flock to the Malecón for street festivals filled with music, dancing, and dazzling fireworks. The midnight countdown crescendos in an explosion of firecrackers and cheers of “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!”
December in Puerto Vallarta isn’t just a time for traditions – it’s a season of wonder. From the heartwarming festivities to the annual arrival of humpback whales in Banderas Bay, the city offers endless reasons to celebrate. For those seeking a festive escape, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to embrace the holiday magic.
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