December is one of the most beautiful months of the year here. The weather is warm and dry, the town fills with lights and processions, and families from all over Mexico and abroad come to spend the holidays by the sea. This is our local guide to Christmas in Puerto Vallarta 2026: the traditions you will see, things to do and where to have Christmas dinner.
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Christmas Traditions in Puerto Vallarta
The Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 1–12)
Before Christmas, Puerto Vallarta celebrates its patron saint. From December 1 to 12, pilgrimages from neighborhoods, hotels and businesses walk through downtown every evening to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with music, dancers and colorful costumes. The celebration ends on December 12, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is one of the most moving things to see in town, so plan an evening walk in El Centro.
Posadas (December 16–24)
In Mexico, the nine nights before Christmas are the time for posadas: gatherings with songs, piñatas, tamales and warm ponche, a fruit punch made with guava, tejocote and cinnamon.
Nochebuena and Christmas Day
For Mexican families the big celebration is Nochebuena, the night of December 24, with a long family dinner. December 25 is a more relaxed day, often spent at the beach or with a late meal.
Christmas Dinner at Oscar’s: December 24 & 25
This year we celebrate both nights by the river, on Isla Río Cuale, 5 minutes from the Malecón. Join us on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25, 2026, with three seatings at 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 pm, for a 4-course holiday dinner with live music and festive cocktails. The price is $1,300 MXN per adult and $650 MXN per kid (ages 4–12).
- Welcome bite: Christmas apple salad with cranberries and candied pecans in an endive leaf.
- Starter: roasted parsnip soup with brown butter, black garlic, sage oil and crispy serrano ham.
- Choice of main: Christmas stuffed turkey breast with gravy and cranberry sauce, or roast beef in a dried chile and coffee crust with red wine jus.
- Dessert: coconut panna cotta with guava and tejocote compote and Mexican ponche granita.
🔍 Click on the menu to enlarge it
Drinks and gratuity are not included. A vegetarian option and kids menu are available upon request, and the à la carte menu is not available these nights. See all the details on our Christmas dinner in Puerto Vallarta page.
Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta at Christmas
- Walk the Malecón at night and see the holiday lights in El Centro.
- Watch a Guadalupe pilgrimage any evening from December 1 to 12.
- Shop for gifts at the Isla Río Cuale market, steps from our restaurant.
- Taste tequila at our distillery with a free tequila tasting, a great way to find a bottle to give as a present.
- Spend Christmas Day at the beach and finish with a sunset by the river.
Tips for Christmas in Puerto Vallarta
- Book dinner early. December 24 is one of the busiest nights of the year.
- Choose your seating: 5:30 pm works well with kids, while 9:30 pm lets you finish close to midnight.
- Expect busy streets downtown during the Guadalupe pilgrimages; walking is often easier than driving.
- Big group? Message us on WhatsApp at 322 227 2929.
Staying for the rest of the season? See our Holiday Calendar for New Year’s Eve dinner, Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl.
Whether you are here for a week or for the whole season, a Christmas dinner by the river is a simple way to feel at home in Puerto Vallarta. Our team has been welcoming guests on Isla Río Cuale since 1997, and this is one of our favorite nights of the year. Reserve early, bring your appetite and leave room for dessert.
Christmas in Puerto Vallarta: FAQ
What is Christmas like in Puerto Vallarta?
Warm and festive. December starts with the Guadalupe pilgrimages (December 1–12), followed by posadas, and families celebrate with a big dinner on Christmas Eve.
Where can I have Christmas dinner in Puerto Vallarta?
At Oscar’s on Isla Río Cuale we serve a 4-course Christmas dinner on December 24 and 25, 2026, with seatings at 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 pm.
How much is Christmas dinner at Oscar’s?
$1,300 MXN per adult and $650 MXN per kid (ages 4–12). Drinks and gratuity are not included.
Is the restaurant open on Christmas Day?
Yes. On December 25 we serve the same 4-course Christmas dinner with three seatings.
