For travelers dreaming of trading snow-covered streets for sunshine and sandy beaches this holiday season, Velas Resorts is offering a collection of festive experiences across its luxury properties in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Riviera Maya.
The resort group has unveiled its 2026 holiday programming, featuring Thanksgiving celebrations, Christmas festivities, family entertainment, traditional Mexican holiday customs, and elaborate New Year’s Eve events.
Throughout Mexico, the holidays are a time for family gatherings, colorful celebrations, music, and food. Traditional posadas, piñatas, mariachi performances, and festive meals are an important part of the season, and Velas Resorts is incorporating many of these traditions into its holiday experiences.
Guests can even bring a little Christmas spirit into their accommodations with in-suite Christmas trees, available pre-decorated or with ornaments for families to decorate together.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya: Holiday Magic on the Caribbean Coast
Set along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is preparing a festive entertainment program running from December 18 through January 1.
The celebrations include Mexican-themed evenings with mariachi music, traditional dancing, regional cuisine, and live entertainment. Oceanfront fire shows bring dramatic choreography and fire juggling to the resort, while pirate-themed acrobatic performances and Cinema Under the Stars offer family-friendly entertainment.
For travelers welcoming 2027 in the Riviera Maya, the resort will host an elegant Under the Stars New Year’s Eve gala featuring a live band.
The combination of beachfront luxury, tropical surroundings, and festive entertainment makes the resort an appealing choice for families looking to celebrate Christmas somewhere warm.
Grand Velas Los Cabos: Santa Arrives by Helicopter
At Grand Velas Los Cabos, the holiday season begins with a Thanksgiving celebration on November 26 at Del Mar Terrace. The evening features a traditional holiday-inspired buffet alongside live music, a Mexican fair, an artisan market, and fireworks.
On December 1, the resort’s Main Garden transforms into a festive gathering place for its Christmas tree lighting ceremony. A live choir and fireworks accompany the celebration, while guests enjoy churros, Christmas cookies, cupcakes, hot chocolate, traditional Mexican ponche, and other seasonal treats.
One of the most memorable events takes place on Christmas Day, when Santa Claus makes a dramatic arrival by helicopter. The celebration continues with an oceanfront Pajama Christmas Brunch featuring live music.
Throughout the holiday season, guests can enjoy themed dining experiences, including Fire & Smoke, Baja Nights, and Mercado, a celebration of Mexican street food, music, salsa dancing, and traditional entertainment.
Younger guests can participate in pajama parties, puppet shows, karaoke, and holiday activities at the Kids Club. Families can also enjoy miniature camping experiences, Mexican markets, folklore performances, and an evening bonfire beneath the stars.
Adults have their own festive options, including live Latin music at Sky Bar and a mojito-making class.
Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos: A Sophisticated Holiday Escape
For travelers seeking a more intimate and culinary-focused holiday experience, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos has planned a festive program centered on gourmet dining, cocktail experiences, and oceanfront celebrations.
Christmas Eve begins with a Bourbon & Mezcal Masterclass, exploring classic cocktails with a Mexican influence. The evening continues with a four-course contemporary Mexican dinner at Loto, complemented by boutique Mexican wines.
On Christmas Day, guests can enjoy a traditional holiday dinner paired with sparkling wines, while Roca offers seasonal lunches and desserts on December 24 and 25.
New Year’s Eve promises an elegant celebration with a six-course dinner at Loto, accompanied by Mexican wine pairings and a live quartet. Later, Bar 51 transforms into a party atmosphere with a DJ and Mexican-inspired cocktails.
At midnight, guests can welcome 2027 with champagne and a private fireworks display over the Sea of Cortez.
The celebrations continue on New Year’s Day with a leisurely breakfast, poolside paella, cocktails, and live music.
Mar del Cabo: A Relaxed Baja Christmas
Mar del Cabo offers a more laid-back approach to the holidays, combining Baja-inspired cuisine, wellness activities, and intimate seasonal celebrations.
Festive decorations appear throughout the boutique property beginning December 1, followed by a series of special experiences starting Christmas Eve.
Guests can take part in a pasta-making class, holiday dinners, morning yoga, and interactive culinary workshops. Other activities include a Baja Sushi & Poke Bar, Mexican popsicle tastings, holiday bingo, and a taco night at Patio del Mar.
A stargazing experience featuring telescope viewing and storytelling offers a memorable way to enjoy the Baja night sky.
On December 30, guests can participate in a Baja Taco Omakase dining experience and a Year-End Vision Board Workshop.
New Year’s Eve begins with a cacao ceremony and a guided Mexican wine tasting led by a sommelier, before an evening celebration at Patio del Mar.
For travelers who prefer boutique accommodations and a relaxed holiday atmosphere, Mar del Cabo presents an alternative to larger resort celebrations.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit: A Christmas Village by the Beach
At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, the festivities begin during Thanksgiving week with beachfront barbecue and grill dinners created by guest chef Victor Howard. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner with live music follows on November 26 at the resort’s Ocean Garden.
From December 18 through 25, Ocean Garden becomes Magic Ville, a colorful Christmas village designed for families.
The holiday village features a carousel, Santa’s cottage, family picnics, piñatas, games, and live performances featuring favorite children’s characters.
A Christmas tree lighting ceremony adds seasonal music, holiday treats, and warm beverages to the celebrations.
On Christmas Eve, guests can enjoy a traditional holiday dinner overlooking the ocean. Christmas Day brings a visit from Santa Claus and his elves, along with other festive characters.
The resort concludes the year with a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a gourmet dinner, live music, a midnight toast, and fireworks.
Velas Vallarta: Traditional Mexican Christmas Celebrations
Families spending the holidays in Puerto Vallarta will find a combination of Christmas traditions and recreational activities at Velas Vallarta.
The resort’s seasonal calendar includes a Christmas tree lighting, letter-writing activities for Santa, a visit from Santa himself, and a traditional Mexican posada complete with a piñata.
A paint-your-own-nutcracker workshop offers a creative holiday activity for children, while the resort will also mark the Winter Solstice on December 20.
Beyond the Christmas celebrations, guests can participate in tennis lessons, cooking classes, smoothie workshops, and a jicaleta workshop.
This regional Mexican treat features fresh jícama served on a stick and seasoned with lime, chile, and chamoy, offering travelers a chance to discover another local culinary tradition.
Casa Velas: An Elegant Adults-Only Holiday Retreat
For couples seeking a quieter celebration, Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta offers an adults-only setting with festive dining and refined seasonal experiences.
The resort will host its Thanksgiving celebration on November 27, with a specially prepared dinner at Emiliano Restaurant or Tau Beach Club.
Throughout December, the boutique property will feature holiday decorations, including a Christmas tree incorporating handcrafted details and Mexican symbolism.
Emiliano Restaurant will offer special seasonal menus featuring signature cocktails, wine pairings, and live entertainment.
The year concludes with Golden Night, the resort’s themed New Year’s Eve celebration.
With its boutique atmosphere and access to Tau Beach Club, Casa Velas offers a more intimate option for travelers who want to enjoy the holidays in tropical surroundings.
A Different Way to Celebrate the Holidays
Christmas in Mexico offers a different holiday experience, where decorated palm trees replace snowy evergreens, beachfront dinners take the place of traditional winter gatherings, and festive celebrations unfold beneath tropical skies.
Across its seven properties, Velas Resorts is combining familiar holiday customs with Mexican traditions, local cuisine, and experiences that reflect each destination.
Whether it’s watching Santa arrive by helicopter in Los Cabos, exploring a Christmas village in Riviera Nayarit, enjoying gourmet holiday dining, or welcoming the New Year overlooking the Caribbean, travelers have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season in the sunshine.
For more information about the 2026 holiday celebrations, visit Velas Resorts.
