Guadalajara International Book Fair
November 28 to December 6
Over 1500 editorial houses from 39 countries gather for the largest Spanish-language book festival in the world, now in its 23rd year.
Website: Guadalajara International Book Fair
Guadalajara City Guide
Festival Internacional del Centro Histórico de Campeche - Campeche's International Festival of the Historical Center
Campeche, Campeche, December 1 to 30
The city of Campeche hosts this festival throughout the month of December. Held yearly since 1997, the festival's goal is to promote the Historic Center of the city of Campeche, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. It includes classical, contemporary and popular music concerts, theater, dance and book presentations. The festival is brought to a finale with a popular Christmas concert in the atrium of Campeche cathedral.
Web Site: Festival Internacional del Centro Histórico de Campeche
Vallarta Film Festival
Vallarta, Nayarit, December 2 to 6
This film festival presents the best of independent cinema with special events and movie industry panels, bringing together a mixture of celebrities, film buffs, film students and entertainment industry professionals.
Website: Vallarta Film Festival
Gran Maraton Pacifico - Great Pacific Marathon
Mazatlan, Sinaloa, December 5 and 6
Over 6500 athletes participate in this event, now in its tenth year, with 5K and 10K races. There is also an event for the visually impaired and people who use a wheelchair or crutches.
Website: Gran Maraton Pacifico
Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Throughout Mexico, but particularly in Mexico City, December 12
The main Virgin of Guadalupe celebrations take place just outside Mexico City, where thousands of pilgrims converge on the Basilica de Guadalupe to pay tribute to Mexico's patron saint. The square in front of the Basilica is a stage for singing, dancing and celebration.
Feria de la Posada y Piñata - Posada and Piñata Fair
Acolman de Nezahualcoyotl, Estado de Mexico, December 16 to 23
An annual celebration near Mexico City, in which the Christmas traditions of piñatas and posadas are celebrated. Workshops in piñata-making are offered.
Read about the history and meaning of the piñata
Posadas
December 16 to 24
Every night from the 16th to the 24th of December, there are street processions that culminate in house parties known as posadas, in which Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem is remembered.
Read more: Posadas
Noche de los Rábanos - Radish Night
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, December 23rd
The Oaxaca Zocalo is filled with stalls during this popular event in which local craftspeople carve and assemble radishes into all different types of figures, from flowers and animals to saints and nativity scenes.
View photos of the Radish Festival
Oaxaca City Guide
Navidad - Christmas
December 25
The last posada takes place on Christmas Eve, "Nochebuena," and families have a late-night supper. In cities there are calendas, festive processions and other events.
Read more: Mexican Christmas Traditions
Año Nuevo - New Year's Eve
December 31
Mexican New Year's Eve traditions
