From mid-December to the end of January, the Riviera Maya is at its best: dry, sunny weather, calm and clear water, and a calendar full of celebrations, from neighborhood posadas to beach parties and music festivals. Here is our guide to what is on between Christmas 2026 and the end of January 2027.

Dates come from public event listings and can change, so please confirm them with each organizer before you plan.

Key dates at a glance

• December 12: Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with processions across Mexico.
• December 16 to 24: Las Posadas, neighborhood processions with songs, piñatas and hot ponche.
• December 24 (Thursday): Nochebuena, the big family dinner.
• December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day, a public holiday.
• December 31 and January 1 (Friday): New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, a public holiday.
• January 6: Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day).

Mexican school winter holidays run from December 21, 2026 to January 5, 2027, so expect more local families on the beaches.

Christmas in the Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue traditionally fills with Christmas lights and decorations, which makes an evening stroll a pleasure. The most authentic posadas are held in local neighborhoods, so ask us for the best ones near Playa del Secreto. Some businesses and tours close on December 24 and 25, so book your activities and restaurants in advance.

In Puerto Morelos, the Strings & Sol acoustic music festival has been held on the beach in mid-December in recent years. Check the 2026 dates before you go.

New Year’s Eve

• Cancún: hotels in the Hotel Zone hold dinner galas with shows and fireworks, and the clubs run ticketed parties.
• Playa del Carmen: many people celebrate on Fifth Avenue and the beach.
• Tulum: destination-style events with dinner, music and ceremonies, including the ¿PorQuéNo? Tulum Festival Week (December 30 to January 6).

Dinner events usually start between 7 and 8 PM, and club doors open after 9 PM. December 31 is the busiest transportation night of the year, so arrange your taxi or transfer early. Our taxi and transfer guide explains the options.

Prefer a quiet night? Ring in the new year on a calm stretch of beach, with a private chef dinner at the villa. Book early, as this is the busiest week of the year.

Three Kings Day on January 6

Many Mexican families exchange gifts on Día de Reyes instead of Christmas Day, and share a Rosca de Reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread with a small baby figure hidden inside. Tradition says that whoever finds the figure hosts a tamale party on February 2. Bakeries across Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos sell roscas in the days around January 6.

January festivals and concerts

• January 2: Tulum Cenote Festival.
• January 7: Solomun at Tehmplo, Tulum.
• January 9 and 10: Day Zero Tulum, a sunset-to-sunrise festival.
• January 9 to 13: Closer to the Sun, a music festival held at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
• January 14 to 18: One Big Holiday, another resort-based music festival.
• January 28 to February 1: Arena Festival, celebrating its 15th anniversary with parties in Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Several of these events are held at all-inclusive resorts and may require a ticket or package. Zamna has also confirmed its Tulum 2027 season, although individual nights were not yet announced when we wrote this.

Family ideas for the holidays

• Spend a night at Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ, a few minutes from Casa Chanty. Holiday schedules vary, so check the official site.
• Plan a day at one of the Riviera Maya theme parks, or see our family guide.
• Snorkel the Puerto Morelos reef. December to February is usually the time of year with the clearest water.
• Swim in a cenote or take one of our favorite day trips.

Planning tips

• The period from about December 19 to January 2 is the busiest and most expensive of the year, so book early. Early December is calmer and better value.
• The weather is dry and mild, with highs around 28°C. Occasional northerly winds (nortes) can bring cooler, breezy days, so pack a light layer for the evenings.
• Reserve restaurants, transfers and tours well ahead for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Looking for a quiet base between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen? Discover our beachfront villas, and read the latest sargassum update before you travel.

Sources: Tulum Bible, Songkick, Cancun Trip Insider, Roavi and Bandsintown.