The best Christmas activities in Mexico City
Don’t wait for Santa Claus, Mexico City has lots of Christmas activities that you can do if you are visiting at this time. Remember these are things that you can only do once a year in winter, so don’t waste your time and take advantage of it all. The Christmas season in any big city is lots of fun; everyone is in a good mood, people are about to go on vacation and fun cultural activities are everywhere. Enjoy this time in Mexico City and if you are here to visit, don’t miss all these options. There is something for everyone. What are you waiting for? The Nutcracker This is the classic Christmas story that enchants every audience. This Christmas the National Auditorium will have performances featuring Mexico’s National Dance company and the Orchestra of the Theater of Fine Arts will be in charge of the music. See it at: the National Auditorium of the CDMX. Tickets start at $ 230 pesos. When: December 18th-23th, 2019. Ice skating The traditional ice rink in Mexico City returns this year at the Zócalo. You will find it just in front of the majestic Cathedral in Mexico’s downtown where you’ll enjoy free skating. This year the city’s government decided on a greener option: acrylic. It is much cheaper to maintain because it does not use the electricity emissions that also harm the environment, it feels the same as skating on ice and the same skates can be used. It is a unique experience for sure. Find it in: Zócalo at CDMX’s downtown, but be attentive because this year the track is movable and may be going to other parts of the city. When: as of December 15th, 2019. Christmas Folkloric Ballet It is a show that features Amalia Hernandez’s Folkloric Ballet. It is definitely a must-see on Christmas. The show is called “Christmas in Mexico” and is a tribute that is divided into three acts in which the ‘posadas’ or traditional Mexican Christmas parties, nativity scenes and ‘pastorelas’ or Christmas performances are commemorated; three of the most popular Mexican traditions. The dancers are experts who will not disappoint you; without doubt this is an event that you can not miss. Amalia Hernández’s ballet stands out because it features dances and performances from different Mexican cultures and traditions, many call it «a living museum». Experience it in: Chapultepec Castle. Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, 11100 tickets may cost up to $ 750. When : from December 25th to January 5th, 2020. Magical Christmas Only in Mexico City can you come across such a different plan. If you are a Harry Potter fan, transport yourself to the Triwizard Tournament and get into your best clothes to attend the Harry Potter-themed Christmas dance. At this place’s Incantatum bar you will be able to dance under the charm of this children’s story, participate in the cash prizes for the best dancing couple, drink a lot of butter beer and enjoy the live DJ. Tickets are already on sale. Find them here. Find it at: Bar Incantatum, Rev. 107 Revolution. Tickets cost $ 250. When: December 19th, 2019 from 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve in Xochimilco If you want to experience a ‘pastorela’ you have to attend this one in Xochimilco for an unforgettable experience. Start the tour on a trajinera (traditional boat) in the Xochimilco canals at night until you reach an illuminated pier. There you can enjoy a fun ‘pastorela’ for the whole family, an entire illuminated Christmas town, a nativity scene and a 5-meter Christmas tree, all illuminated with more than 200 colored lights. Later that night there will be a light show, many Mexican snacks to calm your hunger, games and souvenirs. It is a perfect event to get to know the trajineras and see Xochimilco’s channels by night, which is a completely different experience. Experience it at: Embarcadero Caltongo, Av. Nuevo León S / N. The cost per person is $ 300. When: December 20th, 21st and 22nd, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. If you want to live the Mexican Christmas experience, don’t hesitate and stay with us at FlowSuites. We have hotels in Polanco, Condesa and WTC, surely one of our locations will be perfect for your plans. Look for offers and promotions on our website www.flowsuites.com or contact us by WhatsApp at +52 1 55 7989 3074. We’ll be glad to help you.
Guadalupe-Reyes marathon. Discover this very Mexican way of celebrating in December
Mexican culture is full of tradition and rituals during December. Find all about them here so you don’t miss any and can participate in the now famous Guadalupe – Reyes marathon. In the 1990s, the Mexican government implemented the Guadalupe – Reyes operation, which consisted of deploying police forces around the city from December 12th, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, until January 6th, Day of the Three Wise Men, to support security and surveillance. From that date forward, the name of this “marathon” stuck, and now it refers to all the festivities we celebrate from the Day of the Virgin until January 6th. This period is very important in Mexico because it marks the moment that all of the Christmas celebrations in Mexico begin. • December 12th, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Thousands of pilgrims advance to La Villa to thank the Mexican Virgin. Masses are also celebrated throughout the city and pilgrimages occur from many cities. • December 16th – The Christmas posadas or parties officially begin. They are traditional festivals with rituals such as hitting piñatas, exchanging gifts, asking for a place to stay for the night, lulling baby Jesus and eating and drinking delicious meals. They begin on December 16th because, according to Catholic accounts, it took Mary nine days to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem to give birth. That is why nine posadas are held before the last one is celebrated on December 24th. • December 24th – Christmas Eve (or the last posada). Here the birth of Jesus is celebrated: Joseph and Mary arriving to their destination and surviving their enemies thanks to the kindness of those who helped them on their way. It is a night for a family dinner, sharing moments, praying and making a toast at midnight, which is when Christmas officially begins. •December 25th – Christmas. This day people do not work in Mexico and they enjoy it with their family. Traditionally it is when gifts are given (or sometimes on the 24th at midnight). The typical recalentado or leftovers from the night before are warmed up and enjoyed even more. • December 28th – Day of the Innocent. This celebration refers to all the children that King Herod killed in fear of being dethroned. In Mexico it is a day that is celebrated as the equivalent of April Fool’s in the United States for the innocent children that are easily deceived. A very recurring joke is that people borrow money on this date, so be careful! If you lend it that day, they will not return it to you. • December 31st – New Year’s Eve. This day usually makes for a great celebration. A banquet is served to say goodbye to the old year and the sound of 12 bell-strokes at midnight announces the new year. 12 grapes are eaten along with champagne: one to ask for abundance in each month of the following year. There are also many rituals that accompany the New Year’s party. For example: we fill our pockets with lentils to attract abundance, wear red panties for love, yellow for money, go outside with suitcases to attract many trips the following year, sweep the doorstep of the house to drive away bad vibes and gather a bunch of fresh wheat that represents fortune for next year. •January 1st – New Year’s Day. The first day of the new year, a day designed to rest, keep on partying or recuperate from the festivities from the night before (check out great places to cure a hangover in Mexico City here). • January 6 – Three Wise Men (Kings) Day. This day the Three Wise Men arrive to deliver gifts to Mexican homes. This is when the Rosca de Reyes (traditional sweet bread) is eaten. With this tradition the December festivities come to a happy end. Of course, over the years this marathon has become a reason to celebrate during 26 days. It began as a security operation by the country’s police and is now a party marathon for all Mexicans. It is used to justify (a little) all the excesses that are experienced in December. While the authorities take care of us, we celebrate. If you are going to take part in the famous marathon, we recommend you not to use a car, opt for some alternative means of transportation since there are breathalizers waiting in every corner, there is a lot of traffic because everyone is outside celebrating, and there are always many people buying gifts. FlowSuites is waiting for you with open arms to enjoy this special time in Mexico City, book your trip here. You can also contact us via WhatsApp at +52 1 55 7989 3074 for a vacation that you will definitely not forget.
Do not stay inside! Here are some museums that open on Monday in Mexico City
Do you have only one day off on your business trip (and that day is a Monday?). There are museums in Mexico City that open their doors to entertain all types of visitors. If what you want is a bit of culture on a Monday, these museums are for you. Harry Potter Museum This museum is quite a spectacle and the best part: it opens on Mondays. Asher Silva (AKA Asher Potter) holds the Guinness World Record for having the largest Harry Potter collection. When he bought his first wand in 2001, he never imagined that his love for the magician would end up turning his house into a museum with more than 4 thousand pieces of J.K Rowling memorabilia. His entire house is made to exhibit the collection that he cataloged in 50 categories. In addition to being amazed by a super imposing collection, you will enjoy a museum like no other. Find it at: Gabriel Mancera 1260. Col. Del Valle. Open: Monday to Friday from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. / Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mexican Antique Toy Museum You are going to go crazy with the largest collection of toys in the world. The MUJAM has more than 45 thousand pieces that always dazzle and fill their visitors with nostalgia. There are toys from many parts of the world. It has a special room where toys made exclusively by Mexican hands are displayed. They are pieces worthy of admiration that are already part of Mexican popular culture. It is a perfect museum to learn a little about the history of life in Mexico through its toys. Find it at: Doctor Olvera 15. Col. Doctors. IG: @museodeljuguete Open: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 to 16 hrs Sundays 10 to 16 hrs. National Center of the Arts (CNA) This center is not a museum, but you can find many cultural and educational activities such as concerts, plays, exhibits, courses and workshops. It is a forum that is used for the public to enjoy all kinds of art, it is eclectic and has impressive green areas. It is ideal to see an exhibition while enjoying the outdoors and its huge gardens. Sometimes they have craft sales, book fairs and festivals. It’s a perfect place to spend a free Monday. Find it at: Av. Río Churubusco 79 Col. Campreste Churubusco. Open: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. TW: @cenartmx Mexican Design Museum If you want to kill two birds with one stone, you should visit this museum on your free Monday. It is right in the center of Mexico City, on the pedestrian street of Madero. It is built on the palace of Hernán Cortés and its current facade was designed at the end of the 18th century. It has an exhibition hall where pieces of local design are exhibited, a cafeteria and a shop that is worth your time. It is perfect if you want to buy souvenirs to take back home, it has super original and fun stuff, do not leave without going to see it. As you leave the museum, you can walk to the Cathedral, stroll through the Zocalo or go up the Torre Latino. It is a super plan for a Monday and if you want to enjoy the city center with fewer people than usual. Find it at: Madero 74. Historic Center TW: @MUMEDIAmigos Open: Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wax Museum As fun as it is classic, the Wax Museum in Mexico City has replicas of more than 200 famous people that are distributed in 14 themed rooms. You can see politicians, artists, athletes and even businessmen like Steve Jobs. If you want to see them up close, it is a perfect place to start. You can also dip your hand in wax and buy souvenirs in the store. It is located in Colonia Juarez, which is one of the most popular, and if you want a bite to eat after, you will find a thousand options. Be sure not to leave without admiring the old and beautiful facades of the houses in the area. It is a must! Find it at: Londres 6, Col. Juárez. TW: @museodecera Open: Monday to Sunday 11 – 19 hrs. Museum of Torture Only for people with strong stomachs. This museum, also located in Mexico City’s center is impressive. It has a collection of horrible artifacts from one of humanity’s darkest times: the Inquisition. You’ll find artifacts that were used to punish heresy. In those times you were tortured (sometimes to death) for things like being a “witch», being an alcoholic, being Protestant, gay and many other things that the church did not tolerate. There are 75 different artifacts on display that were used for public humiliation, torture or the death penalty from the 16th to the 18th century. It is a piece of history that you cannot miss. Find it at: Tacuba 15, Col. Centro Histórico Open: From Monday to Sunday 10 – 18 hrs.