December is one of the best months to be in Mexico City. The rains are long gone, the sky is clear most days, and the whole city slides into a month-long celebration that starts with the Virgin of Guadalupe and ends with New Year. The one thing visitors underestimate is the cold at night.
Weather in December#
Dry, sunny and cool. Days usually feel mild and bright, but Mexico City sits at over 2,200 metres, so nights and mornings are cold, and many homes and small hotels have no heating. Bring a warm jacket, layers and something for the evenings.
What's on in December#
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| All month | Christmas markets: piñatas, nativity figures, poinsettias |
| December 12 | Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Basilica |
| December 16–24 | Posadas: nine nights of songs, piñatas and ponche |
| December 24 | Nochebuena, the big Christmas Eve family dinner |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve |
| January 6 | Día de Reyes, with rosca de reyes cake (just after December) |
December 12, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Millions of pilgrims come to the Basilica of Guadalupe, many on foot from other states, with music and traditional dances from the night of the 11th. It's one of the largest pilgrimages in the world. Go with patience and keep valuables close.
Posadas, December 16–24. Neighbourhoods, families and offices re-enact Mary and Joseph asking for shelter with a call-and-response song, then break a piñata and drink hot ponche. Las Posadas explains the tradition.
Christmas markets. Markets across the city fill with piñatas, nativity figures and poinsettias, which are native to Mexico and called nochebuena here.
Christmas and New Year#
Christmas Eve, Nochebuena, is the main celebration: a late family dinner, often with bacalao, romeritos or turkey, and ponche. Many residents leave the city between Christmas and New Year, so some neighbourhoods go quiet while the centre stays busy. For New Year's Eve, compare cities in where to spend New Year's Eve 2026.
Tips#
- Pack for cold nights, not just sunny days.
- Book rooms early for December 24 to January 1.
- Eat like locals: tamales and atole in the morning, ponche at night. Where locals eat in Mexico City has the places.
- For the rest of your list, see things to do in Mexico City.
Spend a posada with someone from the city#
The best of December in Mexico City happens in homes and neighbourhoods, not in tourist spots. A Local Friend can take you to a market, a posada in their neighbourhood, or the Basilica on the 12th. Roavi Local Friends in Mexico City set their own rates and message you directly before you meet.
See December in Mexico City with a local.
Meet a Local Friend in Mexico CityFrequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Mexico City?
Yes. It's dry season, so you get sunny days and little rain, and the city is at its most festive, with the Guadalupe pilgrimage, posadas and Christmas markets. Nights are cold, so bring warm layers.How cold is Mexico City in December?
Days are usually mild and sunny, but nights and early mornings are cold, and many homes and small hotels have no heating. A warm jacket and layers make a big difference.What happens on December 12 in Mexico City?
It's the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Millions of pilgrims arrive at the Basilica of Guadalupe in the north of the city, many walking for days, with music and dances from the night of the 11th. It's moving to see; expect huge crowds.What are posadas?
From December 16 to 24, neighbourhoods, families and offices hold posadas: a sung re-enactment of Mary and Joseph asking for shelter, followed by a piñata, hot fruit punch (ponche) and food. Our Las Posadas guide explains them.Is Mexico City busy at Christmas?
Many residents leave the city between Christmas and New Year, so some neighbourhoods are quieter, while the centre, markets and big sights stay busy. Book rooms early for the last week of December.
