Fall & Winter 2026–27
From the catrinas on the Malecón to the first humpback breaching in the bay — what's happening, when, and what's worth booking before you fly.
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fall & Winter 2026–27
The six events worth planning a trip around — tap one for dates, tips and photos.
Nov 12–22
31st edition
Thu Nov 26
A turkey dinner in the sun
Dec 1–12
Twelve nights in Centro
Dec – Mar
Banderas Bay
Dec 16–25
Posadas, Nochebuena & a quiet Christmas Day
Dec 31
Fireworks over the bay
Late Oct – Nov 2
Day of the Dead
Holiday guide
Fall & Winter 2026–27
Puerto Vallarta's premier sportfishing tournament, run by the Puerto Vallarta Fishing Club for 70 years, based at the Marina Vallarta boardwalk.
Mexico's longest-running culinary festival: for eleven days, guest chefs from around the world cook alongside local restaurants' kitchens in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Tepic.
A national holiday: the official day off is Monday, November 16, creating a long weekend when visitors from Guadalajara and beyond fill the town. The traditional date, November 20, often brings a civic parade.
Not a Mexican holiday, so it is a normal day in town, but plenty of restaurants popular with US and Canadian visitors serve turkey dinners. Book early, then spend the rest of the day in the sun.
Puerto Vallarta's most local December tradition and the one most visitors miss. For twelve days, neighborhoods, businesses and schools march to the Our Lady of Guadalupe church, the crowned church facing City Hall.
Every winter, humpback whales migrate to the warm water of Banderas Bay to mate and give birth. Watching a mother and calf — or a full breach — is the trip most winter visitors remember.
Mexican Christmas builds for nine nights of posadas and peaks on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. For visitors that means one big dinner to book early, and then one of the calmest, loveliest beach days of the year.
The Malecón has been the heart of the night: in 2025 a free party with a stage near the Lighthouse, live music and midnight fireworks. The 2026 program has not been announced yet, so here is what is known and what to confirm.
The real end of the holiday season: children get gifts from the Three Kings and families share a rosca de reyes. Whoever finds the figurine hidden in the bread owes everyone tamales on February 2.
Live
Tours
from $79 USD
🐋 Whale season starts in about 4 weeks
Spot humpbacks and listen on the onboard hydrophone (Dec–Mar)
from $105 USD
🐋 Whale season starts in about 4 weeks
Eye-level humpback safari in a 10-guest biologist boat
from $99 USD
🐋 Whale season starts in about 4 weeks
Watch humpbacks in the morning, snorkel a calm cove after
from $119 USD
⚡ High Demand — Books weeks ahead
Cruise by torchlight to a cliffside dinner and Mayan-inspired show
from $99 USD
⚡ High Demand — Books weeks ahead
Sail into the sunset: open bar, light dinner and live music
from $135 USD
Dance across the bay to Yelapa: open bar, lunch and a private beach
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FAQ
Many are, but the big night in Mexico is Christmas Eve (Nochebuena, December 24), when lots of restaurants serve set holiday menus and book up early. December 25 is a quiet, relaxed day; some places close or open late, so check hours before you go.
The main free celebration is on the Malecón in Centro, with a stage near the Lighthouse and fireworks over the bay at midnight. The Los Muertos Pier, the Hotel Zone and Marina beachfronts, and the terraces of Conchas Chinas also have clear views across the bay.
Humpback whales arrive in December and stay through March; SEMARNAT publishes the official dates each year (last season ran December 8 to March 23). January and February are the peak months.
From December 1 to 12, hundreds of pilgrimages — neighborhoods, businesses, schools — walk along Calle Juárez to the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Centro, with music, dancers and food stalls. December 12 is the main day.
What's on this week in Vallarta, plus a heads-up when holiday plans and dates are announced. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
