Morelia Mexico is a dream to visit during December and the Christmas holidays. It’s beautifully decorated in the spirit of Christmas with bright Christmas lights, life sized nativity scenes, fireworks, light-shows and it feels like each night is a celebration until the late hours of the night.
If you have been following my Youtube channel, you may know that I spent some time in Morelia in December and I really enjoyed it. While I visited 5 towns in Mexico during December, Morelia out-shined them all when it came to Christmas celebrations, decorations and it just had a joyful Christmas spirit that was contagious!
Morelia is beautiful to visit year-round, but its especially magical in December. In this post, I’ll share with you some of the awesome things you can see in Morelia unique to the month of December.
7 Magical Things To Do In Morelia Mexico During The Christmas Season
Join The Countdown To The Start of the Christmas Season
Leading up to December 1st which is the start of the Christmas season in Morelia, large teams of people work together to set up elaborate lights and Christmas decorations throughout the Centro Historico of Morelia (Historic Center). You can expect not just 1 plaza to be decorated, but many!
On the evening of December 1st, the first Christmas lights are turned on in various plazas and everyone in the family comes out to watch and join the countdown. You’ll find everyone from the oldest great-grandparents to the youngest child out to join the festivities. Couples and groups of friends also come out to spend time together.
I found it very touching to see how family centered people in Morelia appeared to be. Children came out the play, never on their phones, but actually playing and being kids.
Friends and relatives of all ages enjoy time together.
Grandma and Grandpa walk down the street holding hands and enjoying life even into the late hours of night. Sometimes 11pm to 12am.
Yes, Morelia is a late night town! I love that since I am a late night owl. And “late night” doesn’t mean drunken partying at all. Instead, its a time to enjoy time with family and friends.
Explore The “Town Of Bethlehem” in Plaza Valladolid
More than just a nativity scene, Morelia designs the whole town of Bethlehem with life sized dolls, animals and more. I’ve never seen anything like it and its very impressive.
In the plaza, you’ll also find a plethora of lights, a Christmas tree and amazing decorations where people love to take photos to capture memories with loved ones.
There is even a hell scene to capture the opposition to God and the birth of Jesus. Its a very striking scene to see.
In the two videos below, I give a walk through of the town of Bethehem, and show you many beautiful things to see in Morelia in December, enjoy!
Watch the Christmas light show projected on the Templo de San Francisco
A delight to watch, on Sunday nights at 9pm, a light show is projected onto a beautiful 16th century building called the Templo de San Francisco. While they host a free light show all year long, in the month of December, the light show has a Christmas theme.
Note: The light show and Templo de San Francisco is in Plaza Valladolid where the Bethlehem scene is staged. You’ll find the light show in this video toward the end of the video. (click here to watch)
Enjoy Fireworks on Saturday Nights
In front of the glorious Morelia Cathedral, many people gather to watch the fireworks that start at 9pm on Saturday nights. During Christmas time, they play Christmas music and even have choirs singing before the fireworks. While the fireworks take place all year, they make the December fireworks extra special!
Discover Christas Surprises At Plaza De Armas
Stroll the plaza and discover its many Christmas surprises.
You may find giant sized camels, elephants and horses made of lights, fountains decorated with poinsettias, nativity scenes and photo opportunities galore.
Plaza De Armas is the main square in Morelia’s Historic center. Towering over the square is the Morelia Cathedral.
The picture above caught an amazing moment in the Centro Historico as the sun was setting. You see two artists dressed up as a Catrina and a Monarch Butterfly. They offer to take photos with people for 30 pesos.
Often in the plaza, entertainers come out, especially Thurs-Sunday. This includes family friendly entertainment such as a fun clown show for the children (heck the clowns even got a few laughs out of me so you could say its for adults too!).
Take Fun Christmas Photos With Friends And Family (Or Selfies)
Morelia has many beautiful (free) photo stations set up throughout the whole city like the one below. That is why people love coming out to take photos all over the city center with their friends and family to capture memories.
Plaza Melchor Ocampo
Yes, another plaza is on the list! As you can see, I wasn’t kidding about MANY plazas being decorated creatively for Christmas. While some cities or towns just have one plaza decorated and that’s it, Morelia really goes all out and creates a fun atmosphere all over the city center.
In Plaza Melchor Ocampo, you will find a towering Christmas tree, fun fountains where kids love to play and other surprises! This year, they also had a carriage decorated with lights and poinsettias which was very pretty. What also makes this plaza so beautiful is that the Morelia Cathedral is beautifully lit in the background.
Visit The Jardin De Las Rosas
A beautiful courtyard with restaurants, Jardin de Las Rosas is a beautiful place to spend an evening. Take a photo next to the beautiful fountains surrounded by poinsettias under a canopy of lights to remember the season.
I spent 8 nights in Morelia and never got bored. It was also the most exiting and decorated place to visit for the Christmas season. Other places I went in Mexico for Christmas were San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Leon, Mexico City, and Puerto Morelos. If I had to recommend any one place to spend the holidays, it would be Morelia Mexico.
Did you enjoy what I shared today? Its a pleasure to have you here. Thank you.
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