As the Christmas Season goes into full swing this weekend, lakeside residents have multiple options to soak up special events and traditional customs that are bound to raise holiday spirits.
December 15-17
The 11th annual Jueguetón marathon to collect toys for underprivileged children runs around the clock from Friday, 6 p.m. to Sunday, 10 p.m., at the Chapala plaza. Donations of non-violent, no battery gift items are welcomed.
Friday, December 15
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” concert by the Lake Chapala Chorale at the Little Chapel by the Lake, Riberas del Pilar, 5 p.m., suggested donation 100 pesos.
December 16-24
Traditional neighborhood Posada processions will be going on daily in all lakeside communities. Starting times range from 4 to 6:30 p.m. depending upon location.
Saturday, December 16
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” concert by the Lake Chapala Chorale at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Riberas del Pilar, 5 p.m., suggested donation 100 pesos.
Desperanto Dance Company Luz de Navidad show, Auditorio de Ribera, La Floresta, 6 p.m., admission 60 pesos.
Christmas parade sponsored by the Chapala municipal government brings Santa Claus, Snoopy and motorized floats to town. The travel route starts in Ajijic from Seis Esquinas (Ocampo at Alvaro Obregón), 6:30 p.m. to tour the main streets of the village, continuing through San Antonio Tlayacapan, along the highway in Riberas del Pilar, and arrive for a run through downtown Chapala around 8 p.m.
The illumination ceremony for a monumental nativity scene mounted on the hillside overlooking central Chapala takes place at the municipal soccer field, north end of Avenida Madero, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 17
CREM Music School Winter Concert, Auditorio de Ribera, La Floresta, Ajijic, 5 p.m., admission 200 pesos.
Chapala city hall throws a public Posada party, on the Malecón next to the Chapala letter signs, 6 p.m. A performance of the Nutcracker ballet by the Jalisco School of the Arts dance troupe follows at the Fuente de Pescadores, Madero at Ramón Corona, 8 p.m.
Monday, December 18
Chapala city hall Posada party to be held at the San Nicolás de Ibarra plaza, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, December 19
Chapala city hall Posada party, at the Santa Cruz de la Soledad plaza, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 20
Chapala city hall Posada party, at the Ajijic plaza, 6 p.m.
Thursday, December 21
Chapala city hall Posada party, at the San Antonio Tlayacapan plaza, 6 p.m.
Friday, December 22
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” Lake Chapala Chorale, dinner show and sing-along, La Bodega restaurant, 16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic, 6 p.m., Advanced tickets 250 pesos; 300 pesos at the door, included lasagna with salad menu.
Chapala’s San Francisco Parish hosts a display of Nacimientos Vivientes (live Nativity scenes) set up in the street in front of the church, 8-10 p.m.
Saturday, December 23
Navidad de Luz y Color, a Christmas-theme stage spectacle, will be presented at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia (former town hall), Madero at Hidalgo, 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 24
Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) at Ajijic’s San Andrés Parish will showcase live tableaus representing five mysteries taken from Biblical accounts of the birth and early life of Jesus, to be viewed in the atrium, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by the Misa de Gallo (late night mass), 9 p.m.