December may not be a big month for events like fishing tournaments or cultural to-dos, but that’s 
largely because so much of the Los Cabos event energy is geared towards holiday happenings, from Christmas and New Year’s Eve to major Mexican celebrations like the feast day for the Virgin of Guadalupe, Innocents Day (the national version of April Fool’s Day) and Las Posadas (a nine-day period of ritual reenactments and fiestas that concludes on Christmas Eve).
Although many of these holiday celebrations will probably be of little interest to tourists beyond family dinners at their vacation rental or luxury resort, New Year’s Eve brings a bevy of festive parties from which to choose, and it should also be noted that December falls within the peak season for some signature Cabo activities and adventures.
The biggest of the latter, both literally and figuratively, is whale watching. The season for getting up-close-and-personal with these majestic creatures begins on December 15th and continues on until March.
San José del Cabo Art Walk – Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26
The historic Distrito del Arte in San Jose 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.
Sabor a Cabo Rural Food & Wine Tasting – Dec. 8
Sabor a Cabo is the biggest food and wine festival in Los Cabos, and although the major event has already a taken place, an affiliated country style food and wine tasting is still to come on December 8th at Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo in Santiago. The rural tasting will serve as a showcase for the organic farming culture regionally, with dishes featuring fresh produce, freshly caught seafood, and meat sourced from local ranches. Tickets are currently on sale in Cabo San Lucas as Nick-San, Tickets are $1000 pesos each for adults (approximately $50 U.S.) and $500 for children 12 years old and younger.
Whale Watching – December 15th to March 15th
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. In this regard these leviathans of the deep are very much like the snowbirds who flock to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo to escape frigid winter temperatures in the U.S. and Canada. The only real difference–aside from the obvious anatomical ones–is one of scale. The longest mammalian migration ever recorded was in 2014-2015, when a gray whale dubbed Varvara traveled over 14,000 miles round-trip from Russia to Cabo San Lucas. The whale watching season in Los Cabos kicks off officially on Dec. 15, with tours offered by virtually all local activities companies.
New Year’s Eve at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31
Fireworks are practically a daily occurrence in México, but the show of the year–at least in Cabo San Lucas–takes places over Medano Beach at midnight on New Year’s Eve. It’s an extended medley of spectacular sights, sounds and colors, and one that typically leaves viewers breathless afterwards. No surprise then that the fireworks show provides the headline attraction for many local New Year’s Eve parties, which not coincidentally tend to be held on or near Medano Beach. Luxurious beachfront Casa Dorada Resort & Spa hosts perhaps the most notable of these local New Year’s Eve events. Celebrations in past years have featured themes like “White Party” and “Gatsby”, the latter with vintage 1920s era costumes and flapper-friendly festivities that included an open bar and deluxe buffet from the resort’s 12 Tribes restaurant, as well as live music and up-close views of the spectacular fireworks show. Over 500 festive partygoers are expected again this year to ring in 2020. The announced theme is a Hollywood style “Stars of the Night” red carpet gala.
New Year’s Eve at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dec. 31
The stylish Deco themed ME Cabo Resort on Medano Beach has always been a preferred hangout for the smart set, dating back to the halcyon days of the poolside Nikki Beach Club. Nowadays, the onsite club of choice is Blue Marlin Ibiza, and the parties continue to draw LA and Las Vegas scene makers for major events like the annual White Party and New Year’s Eve bash. The latter is up next, with famed American house music DJ and Grammy Award winner Roger Sanchez scheduled to provide the entertainment. As always, there will be a fireworks show at midnight.
New Year’s Eve at Mango Deck – Dec. 31
Mango Deck is the most popular bar and restaurant on Medano Beach and a mecca during the yearly Spring Break period. The parties don’t stop when the college migration ends, however, as Mango Deck is also renowned for annual events like its New Year’s Eve blowout, which features live music and performers, as well as a “front row” beachfront seat for the midnight fireworks show that takes place over Cabo San Lucas Bay. This year’s theme is “Mango Rouge”, so expect Moulin Rouge style entertainment for what is being billed as a decade-closing extravaganza.
For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com , or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.
Photo credit: Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa
Upcoming Events Calendar
December
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26
Sabor a Cabo Rural Food and Wine Tasting – Dec. 8
Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12
Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Stars of the Night Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Party at ME Cabo with DJ Roger Sanchez – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Mango Rouge Party at Mango Deck – Dec. 31
January
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 12 – 16
Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 15 – 19
La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20
February
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9
San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Dates Not Yet Announced
Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15
20th Annual Baja Hog Rally – Feb. 20 – 24
Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25
March
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26
Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14
East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15
Todos Santos Film Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced
April
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11
NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24
Gala de Danza at Viceroy Los Cabos – Dates Not Yet Announced
May
485th Foundation Festival in La Paz – May 3 – 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 7, 14, 21, 28
El Dia de la Madre – May 10
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced
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