Christmas 2026
Christmas in Puerto Escondido
The markets, the lights and the parties — and when each is worth it.
10 days to go16 Nov – 26 Dec · 13 ideas
- 2 nights out
- 7 for families
- 7 free
Don't miss
Paseo de la Virgen de la Soledad en el Mar
Fiesta Patronal de la Virgen de la Soledad — Víspera
Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Monday 16 November
Mexican Revolution Day — public holiday
Statutory federal public holiday observed on the third Monday of November across Mexico. Banks, administrative offices, schools, and mail services close in Puerto Escondido. Beachfront restaurants, surf rental shops, and tourist operations continue normal business.
Tuesday 8 December
Fiesta de la Virgen de Juquila
Major Oaxacan Marian feast honoring the Virgin of Juquila (the local manifestation of the Immaculate Conception). Many coastal residents travel north on pilgrimage to the mountain sanctuary in Santa Catarina Juquila, while parish chapels in Puerto Escondido hold dawn mañanitas, masses, and cohetes.
Friday 11 December
Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Mexico's principal patronal feast begins late on December 11 with the singing of Las Mañanitas at midnight. Festivities continue December 12 with street calendas, brass bands, fireworks, and processions where children dress in traditional indigenous attire honoring Juan Diego.
FamilyFreeSource: ¡Viva Puerto!
Thursday 17 December
Fiesta Patronal de la Virgen de la Soledad — Víspera
The community eve celebration honoring Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, patron saint of Puerto Escondido and protector of fishermen. Features live regional brass music, coastal dances, the whirling torito pirotécnico, and the burning of the traditional castillo fireworks.
FamilyFreeSource: ¡Viva Puerto!
Friday 18 December
Paseo de la Virgen de la Soledad en el Mar
Puerto Escondido's signature holiday tradition, held annually since 1977. Local fishermen bring the statue of the Virgin of Solitude down to Bahía Principal and lead an offshore boat procession aboard decorated pangas to bless the sea and fishing fleet, with brass bands and firecrackers sounding over the water.
FamilyFreeSource: ¡Viva Puerto!
Wednesday 23 December
Fiesta de la Natividad — Convite y Calenda
Opening day of the four-day Christmas festival in the coastal settlement of Barra de Navidad, just across the Colotepec River. Traditional street convite and calenda parade with marmotas and brass bands through the village, followed by an open-air night dance.
FamilyFreeSource: ¡Viva Puerto!
Thursday 24 December
Fiesta de la Natividad — Nochebuena y fuegos artificiales
Christmas Eve celebrations in Barra de Navidad featuring traditional pyrotechnics, the lighting of fireworks, live coastal folk music, and a community baile popular lasting late into the night.
Night outFamilyFreeSource: ¡Viva Puerto!
December Full Moon & Christmas Eve party
Christmas Eve beachfront open-air celebration running from 21:00 to 05:00 right on Zicatela beach. Features special guest duo Kitzune (Daniel Zetter & Jasym), with reggaeton on the Main Stage and house and techno music on the Beach Stage.
Night out
Nochebuena — Christmas Eve custom and early closures
Christmas Eve is Mexico's primary family celebration. Non-hospitality businesses, banks, and grocery shops close early (often between 14:00 and 18:00). Families gather late for the Cena de Nochebuena, serving seasonal dishes including romeritos con mole, bacalao a la vizcaína, tamales oaxaqueños, and ensalada de Nochebuena. Beachside restaurants in Zicatela and La Punta offer pre-booked holiday menus.
Friday 25 December
Fiesta de la Natividad — Palo encebado y piñatas
Christmas Day community games in Barra de Navidad. The afternoon features traditional piñatas for local children and the palo encebado (climbing a tall greased pole to claim prizes tied at the summit), ending with an evening village dance.
FamilyFreeSource: ¡Viva Puerto!
Christmas Day — public holiday
Official federal statutory public holiday across Mexico under the Federal Labor Law. Government offices, banks, and corporate services are closed. Puerto Escondido's beaches (Zicatela, Carrizalillo, Bacocho) and beachfront palapas are bustling with holidaymakers, while families observe 'el recalentado' (reheating the previous night's feast).
Saturday 26 December
December 26 standard business day
Unlike countries observing Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day, December 26 is an ordinary business day in Mexico. Supermarkets, municipal food markets like Mercado Benito Juárez, surf schools, and excursion operators operate on normal Saturday schedules as peak year-end holiday arrivals begin.
All season
Las Posadas Christmas novena
The traditional nine-evening Mexican Christmas novena reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey. In the neighborhoods and chapels of Puerto Escondido, candlelit evening processions ask for lodging (pedir posada), culminating in the breaking of seven-pointed star piñatas, steaming ponche con piquete (fruit punch spiked with mezcal), and bags of aguinaldos treats.
FamilySource: ¡Viva Puerto!
Times and prices change, so check with the organiser before you go. Updated 4 Nov