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 many 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's celebrations, which in Mexico have a particular color; 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, since the Virgin is considered a national symbol.

During this gigantic celebration, some 3000 pilgrimages, made up of some 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 colorful 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, 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 December 12 there is usually an early morning mass with mariachis, theatrical representations of the Virgin's apparitions, the rite of the Blessing of the Roses 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 this tour

• Location: Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City.
• Days and hours: from midnight on December 11 until 8:00 p.m. the following day.

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

Typical Christmas dishes are turkey, roast beef and stuffed breast. The stuffing, which can be salty 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; buñuelos and Christmas apple salads, prepared with cream, nuts, pineapple, raisins and apples. And among the most typical drinks, you can try atole, a hot drink made with corn and milk; pozol, made from cocoa and corn, and hot punch, made with fruit and sugar cane. Without a doubt, December is an ideal month to take a gastronomic tour of CDMX.

In mid-December, the Historic Center of Mexico City is illuminated under 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, the main square of Mexico City, and the second largest square in the world. There, in mid-December, a special event is held on the occasion of the lighting of the lights, in which there is no lack of live music, shows and some giant-sized 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 in Paseo de la Reforma, which is also usually decorated with flowers. That's why it's a good time for you 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. In addition, 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, located in the Zócalo, the city's main square, is made up of some 4 thousand m2 of synthetic ice, making it the largest in the world. Its capacity is for approximately 1,200 people.

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

More information

• Ticket price: from 9€. In some occasions the entrance is free.
• 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 1 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 1,200 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, such as the tiny vegetables that are placed on the grass to recreate this Nativity, are very eye-catching. In addition, the show has a lot of Christmas lights that will surely surprise you.

It is a really admirable exhibition, in which the whole family, adults and children, spend about a month in the preparations. Even around the house there are street food stalls and craft stores, and different shows are presented, which undoubtedly fills with life one of the best neighborhoods in Mexico City.

More information

• 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 of December and even the first week of January, from 8 am to 11:30 pm.
• Admission fee: free

Between the last week of November and mid-January, the Six Flags theme park holds different events for 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 colorful festive decorations and live music by 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 Santa Claus to ask him for a Christmas present. Another attraction for children is Las Posadas de Caramelo, where the food is decorated with Christmas details, from which they can take many souvenirs.

More information

• Location: Picacho Ajusco highway kilometer 1.5, Jardines del Ajusco, Tlalpan, CDMX.
• Entrance fee: about 47 € per person approximately.

If you are 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 presentations, 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 9 p.m.

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

More information about Mexico City

• 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 12 to 9 pm approximately.
• Admission: free of charge.

The Torre Latinoamericana is located in the historic center of Mexico City, and has one of the most important viewpoints in the city. From there you can see its historical monuments and plazas 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 sites in the city, due to the wonderful panoramic view it offers, and for this reason 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 at 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, since it is a time when they sell out quickly. The tower, which has a height of 44 floors and reaches 181 meters high, 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.
• 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 drink of Mexico takes center stage: pulque. 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 flavors and mixtures offered at the beverage and food stands.

In addition to the natural pulque, you can try some varieties flavored 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 flavor.

The Pulque Fair is also a great opportunity for you to try typical Mexican foods, such as tacos de pastor, tamales and enchiladas. There will never be a lack of live music and dance, or wrestling shows, to delight all your senses in this very particular fair.

During the month of December, many monuments in the historic center 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 of this palace is recognized 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 theater is located in the National Palace, a very interesting building to know from the architectural point of view, with its amazing white marble facade.

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 Center of Mexico City.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Guided tours from Tuesday to Friday at 1 and 1:30 p.m. with limited capacity.
• Ticket price: admission to the opera costs from €60 per person.