Christmas and New Year in Puerto Vallarta
Processions, posadas, a giant tree on the pier and fireworks over the Malecón — what the holidays look like here, and how to plan the busiest weeks of the year.
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December in Puerto Vallarta starts with twelve days of processions for the Virgin of Guadalupe and ends with fireworks over the bay. In between come posadas, a Christmas Eve that matters more than Christmas Day, a free city festival and some of the busiest beaches of the year. The weather is dry and warm, the whales are back, and the town is full. As of October 2026 the city hasn't announced its programme for this season, so the events below are last year's, as a guide to what to expect.
At a glance
| 1–12 December | Fiestas de Guadalupe: nightly processions to the downtown church |
|---|---|
| 8 December | Whale-watching season opens |
| 16–24 December | Posadas, mostly in homes, neighbourhoods and businesses |
| 24 December | Nochebuena: the big family dinner, midnight mass and fireworks |
| 25 December and 1 January | Public holidays; banks closed |
| 31 December | Free celebration and fireworks on the Malecón |
| 6 January | Día de Reyes and the rosca |
| Weather | Dry; about 28–30 °C by day, 18 °C at night; sea about 25–26 °C |
| Crowds | Mexican school holidays from 21 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 |
Early December: Guadalupe and the whales
The month opens with the city's biggest festival. From 1 to 12 December, more than 400 processions — parishes, businesses, neighbourhoods — walk through the centre to the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with up to 20,000 people on the 12th. It's worth seeing, and it's how you'll find the downtown streets most evenings. Read Fiestas de Guadalupe before you go. The whale-watching season opens on 8 December, so an early-December trip can combine both.
Christmas the Mexican way
- Posadas (16–24 December) re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging, with songs, warm fruit ponche and piñatas. Most are private, held by families, neighbourhoods and businesses, so as a visitor you're more likely to come across one than to find a public schedule.
- Nochebuena, Christmas Eve, is the main event: a late family dinner, midnight mass and fireworks. Restaurants serve special menus on the 24th and 25th, and tables with a sea view go quickly — book ahead.
- Pastorelas, comic nativity plays, are a December tradition; last year the cultural centre on Isla Cuale staged one free every night from 15 to 22 December.
- 28 December is the Día de los Santos Inocentes, Mexico's day for practical jokes.
What the city put on last year
In 2025 the city's family-welfare office ran a free festival, "Mar de Regalos" (Sea of Gifts), from 18 December to 1 January, with events most evenings from about 6 to 8 p.m.: DJs, saxophone, carols, Christmas films, folk music and rock, and concerts from 26 to 30 December. Venues included the Los Muertos pier, the Los Arcos amphitheatre on the Malecón, Parque Hidalgo, Parque Lázaro Cárdenas, the Isla Cuale cultural centre and Playa Palmares.
- The tree: lit on 18 December at the Los Muertos pier — around 30 m tall, and billed by the city as the tallest Christmas tree in Mexico.
- The Christmas caravan: Coca-Cola's illuminated Christmas caravan paraded along the main boulevard, Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio, on the evening of 21 December.
Expect something similar in 2026; we'll add the dates to the events calendar once they're announced.
New Year's Eve
The city and the state of Jalisco hold a free New Year's Eve party on the Malecón, with a stage near El Faro, the lighthouse. In 2025 it started at around 7.30 or 8 p.m. with mariachi and cumbia, and a DJ played on after midnight. At midnight, fireworks went up with a drone show — the second year with drones — and fireworks could be seen all round the bay.
- Road closures: from 5 p.m. on 31 December last year, Calle Morelos was closed at Corona and buses stopped short of the centre. Walk in, or get dropped off well before.
- Zona Romántica: bars and beach clubs hold their own parties; several of the main bars charged no cover. Restaurants offer set dinners — around MXN 1,400 for five courses at one Old Town restaurant last year. Book early.
- Ticketed parties: the big beach parties sell out. Last year's party at Majahuitas, reached by boat, cost MXN 5,000 for entry alone.
- 1 January: in 2026 the city added a free "Sunset Festival" at the Playa Palmares public beach club, from noon.
Staying safe in the crowds
- Pickpockets: the UK government warns that pickpocketing and theft are common in Mexico's crowds, and that drinks should never be left unattended. Carry little and keep your phone close on the Malecón.
- The sea: the Mexican navy runs a lifeguard operation over the holidays — last year from 19 December to 9 January — in Puerto Vallarta and neighbouring municipalities. Swim near lifeguards, follow the flags (green safe, yellow caution, red no swimming), and don't swim after drinking or at night.
- More in is Puerto Vallarta safe?
Día de Reyes
On 6 January Mexican families share a rosca de reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread with a small figure of the baby Jesus baked inside; whoever finds it hosts a tamales party on 2 February, Candelaria. Bakeries sell roscas in early January. Schools go back on 7 January 2027.
Planning the busiest weeks
- Book early: for the 2025–26 holidays, the federal tourism ministry projected hotel occupancy above 80%, and the state said the Malecón, the centre and the beaches were full. Book accommodation, airport transfers, whale trips and New Year's Eve dinners well ahead. See where to stay.
- The airport handled 712,900 passengers in December 2025, 4% more than a year earlier. Allow extra time for departures (airport guide).
- Public holidays: 25 December and 1 January are statutory holidays; 24 and 31 December are not. Banks close on 25 December; cash machines keep working, so withdraw before the holiday (money).
- Markets: the Saturday Olas Altas Farmers' Market and Marina Vallarta's Thursday Art & Market run through the season, as does the Wednesday Art Walk.
- Weather: December averages about 30 °C by day and 18 °C at night, with only around two days of rain; evenings by the sea can feel cool, so bring a light layer (weather).
Frequently asked
What is there to do in Puerto Vallarta at Christmas?
The Fiestas de Guadalupe processions (1–12 December), the city's free Christmas festival with a giant tree on the Los Muertos pier, special Christmas Eve dinners, whale watching from 8 December and the beach. Last year's city festival ran from 18 December to 1 January.
Are there fireworks in Puerto Vallarta on New Year's Eve?
Yes. The city holds a free party on the Malecón near the lighthouse, with music from the early evening and fireworks with a drone show at midnight; fireworks are also visible around the bay.
Is Puerto Vallarta busy at Christmas?
Very. Mexican school holidays run from 21 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, and hotel occupancy over the 2025–26 holidays was projected above 80%. Book accommodation, transfers and New Year's Eve dinners early.
What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in December?
Dry and warm: about 28–30 °C by day and 18 °C at night, with only a couple of days of rain on average. The sea is around 25–26 °C.
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