Puerto Vallarta's Christmas Festival Lights Up the Bay

Puerto Vallarta is gearing up for a festive fiesta that promises to dazzle locals and visitors alike. Get ready to jingle all the way from December 9 to 31 as the First Christmas Parade descends upon our sun-soaked shores, adding an extra dose of merriment to the already vibrant Christmas Festival 2023.

At a press conference that was more spirited than Santa's sleigh ride, the dynamic team behind this jolly jamboree spilled the cocoa beans on the upcoming celebrations. Christian Salvador Preciado Cázares, the maestro of Tourism and Economic Development, gleefully shared, “We're flipping the tinsel switch on December 9 with the lighting of the Christmas tree near the Malecon Arches, serenaded by saxophones and carols. It's not your average tree lighting—this one comes with a musical twist!”

On December 11, the theater of the arches transforms into a stage for an artistic and cultural spectacle, and “La Lija” becomes the hotspot for a cultural extravaganza on the same day. It's not just tinsel and ornaments; it's a full-blown artistic spectacle.

The most important item? The First Christmas Parade on December 13, marching from the Sheraton Hotel to the Cuale River Market. More than 30 floats from companies and institutions parading through the streets, spreading cheer like confetti. It's a visual feast that even Santa would envy.

And if that's not enough, Puerto Vallarta is not just about tinsel and carols. It's also the winter home of humpback whales, offering a front-row seat to witness these majestic creatures. From December to early spring, the bay becomes a watery wonderland, and you can even spot whales from your hotel room—talk about a room with a view.

But hold your tinsel, there's more good news. Puerto Vallarta is not just a winter retreat; it's also one of the safest cities in the country. According to the maestro of Tourism and Economic Development, Christian Salvador Preciado Cázares, “We are breaking records left and right, from airport arrivals to cruise ship visits. The calmness and happiness in our destination have attracted over 500 thousand visitors who have enjoyed our beautiful port activities.”

In the economic realm, Puerto Vallarta is a juggernaut, with a growth of 3.9% in visitors and a whopping 6% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year. The tourism sector is a money-making maestro, bringing in 64 billion 472 million pesos up to October. Puerto Vallarta takes the lead with 33 billion 997 million pesos, leaving other destinations trailing in its festive wake.

So, folks, dust off your Santa hats, unfurl the tinsel, and get ready for a Puerto Vallarta celebration that will go down in history. From whales to parades to record-breaking revelry, this holiday season promises to be merrier than ever before. Puerto Vallarta—the ultimate destination where Christmas dreams and whale watching fantasies come true.