December in Los Cabos brings events both big and small, from cultural festivals, Catholic religious festivities and holiday 
parties to extravagant charitable galas and glamorous New Year’s Eve bashes featuring big-name entertainers.
But beyond the seasonal merrymaking, cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo also undergo a transformation, taking on the distinctive coloration of Christmas cheer. Large plazas feature trees festooned with glitter and ornaments, public nativity scenes (called nacimientos in Spanish) are prominently displayed in shopping centers and other public places, and Mexican holiday sippers like ponche navideño (Christmas punch), rompope (rum-spiked eggnog) and Noche Buena (a dark seasonal beer) make their brief but memorable appearances.
San Jose del Cabo Art Walk – Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28
The historic Distrito del Arte in San José del Cabo takes center stage each Thursday evening during high tourist season – November through June – when residents and visitors alike are invited to stroll its cobblestone streets and peruse the many eclectic fine arts galleries. Art Walk hours are 5 to 9 p.m, when the neighborhood comes alive with wine, cheese and guided tours, as well as colorful street artists and strolling mariachis.
Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 8
The holiday season’s most elegant soirée is thrown on behalf of the Los Cabos Humane Society, with a fundraising silent auction and raffle sandwiched between fine food and wine, and live entertainment. The 2017 iteration of Dressed to the K9s charity ball will showcase a “White Party” theme – complete with white gala appropriate attire – and will be held Friday, Dec. 8 at the luxurious Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar. Executive Chef Manuel De Luca will oversee hors d’oeuvres and the gourmet buffet, with entertainment headlined by romantic trio Dueto Canela, and the rock band Totoy.
Sabor a Cabo International Food and Wine Festival – Dec. 9
The region’s signature food and wine festival returns for its 12th edition on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Quivira Clubhouse in Cabo San Lucas. Over 60 local restaurants and 30 regional wineries are expected to participate in the main event. Also scheduled to cook up a storm are celebrated chefs Dieter Koschina, Enrique Olvera and Richard Sandoval. Koschina and Olvera both have been awarded Michelin stars, and also have restaurants rated among the top 100 in the world (Olvera, amazingly, has two). 1970s funk and disco supergroup Earth, Wind and Fire headline the musical performers.
Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15
Each winter some 5,000 to 10,000 blue, gray, humpback and other whales migrate from their arctic feeding grounds to breed in the shallow water coves and inlets of beautiful Baja California Sur. Transiting whales are often visible from beaches and coastal resorts and golf courses, but the best way to see these enormous creatures is by going out on one of the many boat-based excursions, which are traditionally offered from mid-December through mid-March. Some companies even offer hydrophones, so that you can simultaneously listen to the whales’ enchanting songs.
Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31
Last year it was a White Party theme, this year it’s Gatsby. Beachfront luxury resort Casa Dorada is famed for its costume themed New Year’s Eve parties, and the tradition continues into 2018. Over 500 guests are expected to don flapper wear and other vintage 1920s style clothing for an evening of dancing, cocktails and a gourmet buffet dinner courtesy of the resort’s acclaimed 12 Tribes restaurant. As always, the main event will be the spectacular midnight fireworks show over Medano Beach that rings in the New Year.
For more information about events in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.loscabosvillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.
Photo courtesy of Rompope Santa Clara.
Keywords: Christmas, holidays, December, events, festivals, fiestas, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos, Art Walk, Sabor a Cabo, Dressed to the K-9s, whale watching, New Year’s Eve, Casa Dorada, fireworks, Mexican holiday cocktails,
Upcoming Event Calendar
December
San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June
Extreme Sailing Series – Nov. 30 – Dec. 3
Sabor a Cabo Rural Food and Wine Tasting – Dec. 3
LigaMAC Christmas Party – Dec. 5
Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 8
Sabor a Cabo International Food and Wine Festival – Dec. 9
Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12
Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March
Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31
Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31
January
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6
Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21
Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19
La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3
February
Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour – Feb. 10 – 11
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – February 14
Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 26 – March 4
Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced
March
Todos Santos Film Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17
El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
East Cape Arts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 19
Semana Santa – March 25 – 31
Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced
April
Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced
NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26
Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
May
482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10
White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced
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