Prehispanic dancers in front of the Basilica in Mexico City for the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Prehispanic dancers in front of the Basilica in Mexico City for the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Photo by Nadine Markova.

Dec – Jan, Christmas Festival, Mexico City. Stages fun events and entertainment in the capital every December and January. Past attractions include an ice rink in the Zócalo (town square) with ballets, musical concerts and festive nativity scenes on the ice.

Dec 4-6, Rucco Surfer Reunion 2009, Playa Linda, Ixtapa. The annual Rucco reunion is a three day event focused on surf and fun at Playa Linda. There will be teams from Mexico, Texas, California, Florida, and more! Also good food, beverages, music, doctors, nurses, ambulance service, oxygen, stimulants for the elderly and a beach fashion show! For more info, or if you want to compete: Catcha L’ola (755)553-1384 or email: Catcha L’ola

Dec 5, Primera Travesia a Nado de la Bahía de Zihua, Zihuatanejo.  Quite a mouth full, but basically it is a swim across the bay to educate people about the delicate ecology of our bay. All ages and skill levels can participate. Starts at Playa La Ropa. Prizes and medals given to winners. For information and registration,visit Travesia a Nado Zihua or call (755)554-6223 or (755)544-6667

Dec 5-12, Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe, National. This festival is celebration of the holiest figure of Mexican Catholicism and Mexico’s Patron Saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Many lively processions happen all across Mexico, but the main pilgrimage on December 12th is directed to the home of the miraculous image of the Virgin, the Basilica in Mexico City. The square in front of the Basilica is a stage for singing, dancing and celebration.

Dec 8, Pilgrimage to Juquila, Oaxaca.  In the village of Santa Catalina Juquila, approximately one kilometer from the city of Oaxaca, is the statue of the Virgen Morena de Juquila to which are attributed many miracles. Every year hundreds of thousands make a pilgrimage to Juquila, some on foot, on bicycle and by car or truck. There are many legends about this small statue which, when taken to a neighboring village, mysteriously reappeared in its original home. When a flash fire destroyed most of the village, including the house where the tatue was kept, the statue was found unharmed, simply with its skin darkened.

Dec 9, Taste of Ixtapa Food Crawl and Guitar Fest Fundraiser, Ixtapa. Support the international guitar festival and sample select dishes from area restaurants, For $200 Pesos you can sample foods from several of the local restaurants in Ixtapa – all within walking distance of each other and conveniently located off Ixtapa Blvd……Frank’s, Tocu Tucan, and Chile Salsa Bravo are only a few of the restaurants participating. For more information email: Zihuafest info, or talk to Frank at Frank’s in Ixtapa 755-553-2777, or visit our website Zihuafest

Dec 11, Rene Ferguson Foundation 5th Anniversary, Zihuatanejo. Come and celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Foundation with us. The foundation helps young women attend college by assisting with the cost of tuition and books. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible in the United States.  The program, starting at 6:00 pm, will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an introduction to the six Scholarship winners, a presentation of Ballet Folklorico Calmecatl, the premier Ballet group of the State of Guerrero, live music by Michelle, and raffles of professional tennis lessons, beach days and boat trips for up to six people, and decorative art objects.  $200.00 pesos per person entrance, La Quinta Troppo is a small boutique hotel on the road to Playa La Ropa, on the right hand side, 50 meters before the Dolphin fountain.  For further information please call David Ferguson or Erica Islas at La Quinta Troppo, 755-554-3423, or by email at La Quinta Troppo

Dec 12, Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, National.

Dec13-22, Feria de la Piñata,  Alcoman, Mexico State. In the small town of Alcoman, only a few miles from Mexico City, there is annual celebration of the favorite party favor for children , the piñata. Among the piñatas on show are those made from clay, traditional models with seven points that symbolize the seven deadly sins, and those made from cardboard with popular children’s designs. This is a great festival to celebrate with families where you can learn to make your own piñata.

Dec 15, Arthur Koby jewelry exhibit, Ixtapa. Direct from New York and exclusive from Galart, see international jewelry designer Arthur Koby at the exhibition of his latest collection of necklaces 2010.  Galart at Villa de la Selva Restaurant, Ixtapa, 6:00 p.m. RSVP by email at Galart. For dinner reservations: 755 5530362

Dec 16-24, Posadas, National. Throughout the country, streets and households host vibrant parties and processions, known as posadas, in remembrance of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

Dec 18, Day of the Virgin of Soledad, Oaxaca City. The state pays homage to its patron saint in style every year. Watch fireworks and Oaxacan dances outside the seventeenth century Basílica de la Soledad and feast on fritters and fruit ices. The Basílica de la Soledad, 107 Independencia,(five blocks west of the Zócalo, or town square), springs to life with bell ringing, religious processions, song and fairground rides. Oaxaca’s vivid Danza de la Pluma (Feather Dance) is not to be missed. It is a symbol of pride for the Zapotecas (people from Oaxaca) and danced every year in July at La Guelaguetza (Monday of the Hill celebration) too.

Dec 19, ADIP Local Author’s Series, Howard Englander, Coconuts Restaurant, Zihuatanejo. When old age hits you can either fall down or hit back. Howard Englander, nationally recognized advertising writer, acclaimed commercial director and archetype of the new retiree, reads from his first book of fiction, 73, about the adventure of aging for those who have lived long and who ain’t done living yet.  He will also read selections from his latest book, now in progress.  Coconuts Restaurant, Pasaje Agustin Ramirez, Centro Zihuatanejo, 7pm.  For more info send email to  ADIP info .

Dec 19-21, Fusion Art & Design Christmas Bazaar, Mexico City. Stock up on shoes, clothes, jewelry, art, bags and other accessories by independent Mexican designers at the Fusion Art & Design Christmas Bazaar Parque México, D.F. For more info: Proyecto Fusion

Dec 23, Zihuatanejo 56th Anniversary, Zihuatanejo. Celebrate the Anniversary of the founding of our town in 1953. There will be a fiesta in the main square of Zihuatanejo.

Dec 23, La Noche de Los Rábanos, (Night of the Radishes), Oaxaca City. Radishes are lovingly sculpted into everything from animals to saints and nativity scenes at Oaxaca’s curious annual Radish Festival.

Dec 24, Misa de Gallo and Christmas Eve Supper, National. Roman Catholic Mexicans head to their local church to celebrate the late night Misa de Gallo. This literally translates as rooster’s mass, but is usually known as midnight mass.

Dec 28, Dia de los Inocentes (The Day of the Innocents), National. Said to be a religious commemoration of the day that Herod sent out his troops to kill all newborn children in an attempt to eradicate the threat of a new king. Actually, the day is more akin to April Fool’s day, with gags and jokes being played.

Dec 31, New Year’s Eve celebration, Zihuatanejo. La cancha (basketball court) in downtown Zihuatanejo is the place to listen to music, dance, and watch fireworks over the Bay. Fun for the whole family!

Dec 31, Liberation of the Turtles, Zihuatanejo. The symbolic closing of the “Annual Program of Preservation of the Sea Turtle”, watch the massive release of baby turtles with the participation of tourists. Locations: Playa La Ropa, La Madera and Principal (Zihuatanejo) and Playa El Palmar (Ixtapa). Time of release may vary. Highly recommended for adults and children.

Jan 6, Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day), National. Celebrate the Epiphany (as it is usually called in English) the Mexican way, with gifts for the children and a feast with family or friends.

Jan 15, ADIP 10 year Anniversary Party & Community Fair. Come celebrate 10 years of Another Day in Paradise magazine and the vibrant Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo community.  Cocktails, live music, art exhibitions by local artists, and community project information, with representatives on hand from many of I-Z’s art, cultural, education and philanthropy groups.  Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande, Zihuatanejo, (Archeology Museum of Zihuatanejo), Fisherman’s walk at end furthest away from the pier, next to the walkway to Playa Madera. Everyone welcome, Free admission.  6:00 – 10:00 pm,  Tel. 755-544-8023. For more information, or to get your community project included send an email to ADIP info.

Feb 15-19, 3rd Annual Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Real Estate Fair. Everything you need to know to buy real estate in Mexico, with property tours and open houses. Information on how to attend or be a sponsor, email: ADIP info

Mar 17, 18 & 19, 7th Annual Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. The 2010 fest will be smaller than past years’ events, but will have three days of live music with 3 concerts: 1 in Ixtapa & 2 in Zihuatanejo showcasing popular international artists from past years’ events. The fest needs your support this year more than ever to continue to bring world class music to Zihuatanejo and raise funds to support arts & educational projects in the community. ZIGF anticipates being back to full size in 2011. Confi rmed artists for 2010: Los Pistoleros, Doug Towle & de la Tierra, Roger & Valerie Scannura, Nick Vigarino, Eric McFadden, among others TBA. For more info visit:  Zihuafest or email:  Zihuafest info