10 Things to Do in Mexico City in December

If you are lucky enough to visit this city in December, you will discover that there are plenty of things to see and do in Mexico City to say goodbye to the year and start the next one with renewed spirit.

From the traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations, which in Mexico have a particular colour; to the festivities linked to its most deeply-rooted traditions, such as the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which attracts visitors from all over the world. Here you will find many interesting options to explore during your stay in Mexico City this month, so you can enjoy it to the fullest.

Every December 12, Mexico celebrates the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a festivity of great importance for the Mexican people, which also attracts many visitors to the country. It is a unique opportunity to get to know one of the most important traditions of Mexico, as the Virgin is considered a national symbol.

During this gigantic celebration, about 3000 pilgrimages, consisting of about 7 million people, arrive at the Plaza Mariana in CDMX, which was inaugurated especially to receive them. It is where the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe is located, and where the sanctuary of the venerated brown virgin is located.

In these colourful pilgrimages you will see dancing matlachines, who dance dressed in traditional costumes decorated with feathers and rattles. You can join any of these pilgrimages, which will take you to the Atrium of the Americas, in the Basilica grounds, where you can listen to the mañanitas dedicated to the Virgin sung by millions of people.

You can also join the celebrations that begin the night before, when churches serenade the Virgin. On the 12th of December there is usually an early morning mass with mariachis, theatrical performances of the Virgin's apparitions, the Blessing of the Roses rite and much more. If you want to get to know this church better, you can join a guided tour of the Basilica of Guadalupe, Tlatelolco and Teotihuacan, which also includes a visit to these unmissable sites.

More information about the tour

• Location: Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City.
• Days and hours: from midnight on 11 December until 8 p.m. the following day.

Mexico is a country known for its unique cuisine, so it's a great idea to try the exquisite dishes that are prepared during Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Also, as December is winter in CDMX, it is an ideal month for you to try their delicious hot dishes.

Typical Christmas dishes are turkey, roast beef and stuffed breast. The stuffing, which can be savoury or sweet and sour, is made with ground meat that is usually cooked with a little wine. Another traditional food prepared during these celebrations is pork loin or pork leg, which is also made with wine and accompanied with plum or cranberry sauce.

Tamales are another typical Mexican food, which are usually served with stews. They are made from corn and come wrapped in vegetable leaves. Other gourmet dishes are pozole, a stew made with cacahuazintle corn; birria, a stew made with beef, lamb or goat that is cooked in a hole in the ground, and bacalao a la vizcaína.

As for desserts, among the most traditional are churros filled with chocolate or dulce de leche; fritters and Christmas apple salads, prepared with cream, walnuts, pineapple, sultanas and apples. And among the most typical drinks, you can try atole, a hot drink made with corn and milk; pozol, made with cocoa and corn, and hot punch, made with fruit and sugar cane. Without a doubt, December is an ideal month for you to take a gastronomic tour of CDMX.

In mid-December, the Historic Centre of Mexico City is illuminated in a special light: that of the celebrations of the last month of the year. That's why it's a great idea to take a tour of the city's emblematic buildings to discover their special charm under the Christmas lights. It's one of the best things to do in Mexico City at night this month.

Your tour can start at the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square and the second largest square in the world. There, in mid-December, a special event is held to mark the switching on of the lights, with live music, shows and some gigantic luminaries.

In addition, the surrounding buildings, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Mayor and the National Palace, are also decorated with Christmas lights. In the main public spaces you will see light decorations, such as on the Paseo de la Reforma, which is also often decorated with flowers. That's why it's a good time to take a tour of Mexico City, either on foot or by bicycle, during this festive season.

During the month of December, Mexico City opens the doors of the acrylic skating rink, a new material that replaced the previous ice rink. The Mexican government decided to change the rink's material to protect the environment and reduce maintenance costs. Moreover, it does not pollute the air with toxic gases.

For the same reason, the entrance fee is much cheaper than that of an ice rink. The rink, which is located in the Zócalo, the city's main square, is made up of some 4,000 m2 of synthetic ice, making it the largest in the world. Its capacity is for approximately 1200 people.

The acrylic rink is safe for the whole family, as this material reduces the possibility of injuries, because the impact is lower. Other advantages are that you won't get wet as with ice rinks, and it doesn't cause annoying noises like the old generators. It is undoubtedly a fun option to enjoy with family or friends.

More information about the ice rink

• Ticket price: from €9. On some occasions admission is free.
• Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 8 pm.

One of the most emblematic events in Mexico City is the presentation of the Iztacalco Nativity Scene, an incredible porcelain nativity scene that can be seen from December 1st until the end of the month. It has been made by the Ontiveros family in the courtyard of their home since 1967, and admission is free.

This nativity scene, which began as a family tradition, soon gained importance throughout the city. It is made up of some 1200 pieces of porcelain, canvases and paintings that recreate the scene, and even a river in which water flows. One of the most important pieces is the baby Jesus, who is said to have performed a miracle for one of the members of the Ontiveros family.

The miniature pieces are very striking, such as the tiny vegetables that are placed on the grass to recreate this Nativity Scene. In addition, the show has a lot of Christmas lights that will surely surprise you.

It is a truly admirable exhibition, in which the whole family, young and old, spends about a month in preparation. There are even street food stalls and craft shops around the house, and different shows are presented, which undoubtedly fills one of Mexico City's best neighbourhoods with life.

More information about the neighbourhood

• Location: Playa Villa del Mar (Eje 5 Sur) number 86, almost on the corner of Playa Caleta, colonia Militar Marte, alcaldía Iztacalco.
• Days and hours: every day in December and even the first week of January, from 8 am to 11.30 pm.
• Entrance fee: free of charge

Between the last week of November and mid-January, Six Flags theme park hosts a variety of events for the Christmas celebrations. There you can see shows for the whole family and the Christmas light parade, a parade with thousands of Christmas lights. There are also bonfires to warm up the atmosphere, and fireworks are often set off to accompany the music.

The whole park is filled with colourful festive decorations and live music from famous artists. Soaking in the white foam in this park is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Mexico City.

There are also many special activities for children such as the Mexican piñata, which contains lots of sweets and treats, or the traditional greeting to Father Christmas to ask him for a Christmas present. Another attraction for children is Las Posadas de Caramelo, where the food is decorated with Christmas decorations, from which they can take many souvenirs.

For further information, please visit

• Location: Picacho Ajusco road, kilometre 1.5, Jardines del Ajusco, Tlalpan, CDMX.
• Entrance fee: around €47 per person approximately.

If you're lucky enough to celebrate New Year's Eve in Mexico, you should know that the custom in this country is to celebrate with the family, but there is no shortage of big celebrations in Mexico City, especially in the Zocalo, the city's central square.

From mid-December until the end of the month, this square hosts the Verbena Navideña, an event that brings together live concerts, theatrical performances, recreational and educational activities, exhibitions, mechanical games, and installations such as ice slides and a snowy forest, among others.

The stage is completed with giant Christmas trees, the lighting of the main lights (in which citizens usually participate), and Christmas-themed choirs and concerts. The invitation is every day from noon to 9pm.

In addition, on December 31st there are usually concerts and parties on Paseo Reforma, so these are ideal dates for you to stroll around the city's most emblematic sites. It is also a good idea to take a tour of Mexico City and see the festive decorations and illuminations that adorn the city at this time of year.

For more information

• Location: Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX.
• Days and hours: from mid-December to the end of the month, every day from 12pm to 9pm approximately.
• Admission: free of charge.

The Torre Latinoamericana is located in the historic centre of Mexico City, and has one of the most important viewpoints in the city. From there you can see its historical monuments and squares that in December are filled with thousands of Christmas lights, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, the Zócalo and the Alameda Central.

The Tower is one of the most popular places in the city, due to the wonderful panoramic view it offers, and that is why it is also a very popular place to enjoy Christmas dinner in its bars and restaurants, such as the famous cafeteria located at the entrance and the exclusive restaurant on the 41st floor. Also, it is a great idea to celebrate the New Year in the night bar on the 40th floor.

Keep in mind that if you decide to go during these dates, you should book your tickets for the Torre Latinoamericana in advance, as it is a time when they sell out quickly. The tower, which has a height of 44 floors and reaches a height of 181 metres, also houses two museums that you can visit, the Bicentennial Museum and the Museum of Mexico City.

More information about the tower

• Location: Balderas S/N, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm.
• Admission fee: 9 EUR approximately for adults.

The Pulque Fair is an event that takes place in early December or late November in CDMX, in which an ancient and traditional Mexican drink, pulque, takes centre stage. The fair takes place in Metro Tlatelolco.

During this event, you can listen to live music, watch folkloric dance performances and, of course, taste the great variety of pulque of different flavours and mixtures offered at the food and drink stands.

Besides the natural pulque, you will be able to try some varieties flavoured with tamarind, guava or pineapple, among others. It is a somewhat strong drink, so you may prefer to try the cured one, which includes fresh fruit juices that soften the flavour.

The Pulque Fair is also a great opportunity for you to try typical Mexican food, such as tacos de pastor, tamales and enchiladas. Live music and dance, or wrestling shows, will never fail to delight all your senses at this unique fair.

During the month of December, many monuments in the historic centre of Mexico City dress up with Christmas decorations and lights, and present shows with this festive theme. One of them is the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, which in December usually presents operas and Christmas concerts.

The opera house of this palace is recognised as one of the most important in the world, so attending one of these shows in December is a great opportunity to get to know it and enjoy its acoustics. In addition, the theatre is located in the National Palace, a very interesting building to visit from an architectural point of view, with its amazing white marble façade.

As if this were not enough, in the museum you can see 17 murals by some of Mexico's most renowned painters, including Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. It is undoubtedly one of the best museums in Mexico City, where you can learn a lot about the culture, art and history of the city and the country.

More information about the museum

• Location: Juárez Av. S/N, Historic Centre of Mexico City.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Guided tours from Tuesday to Friday at 1pm and 1.30pm with limited capacity.
• Ticket price: admission to the opera costs from €60 per person.