Christmas is just around the corner and yuletide seasonal activities have already hit the ground running in Guadalajara.
Here are a few of the main ones:
The Nutcracker
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” has become a firm holiday tradition around the world and especially in Guadalajara. However, it is a relatively new one on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. First performed in St. Petersburg in Russia in 1892, the ballet wasn’t held internationally until 1934, in London. The San Francisco Ballet performed the work on Christmas Eve in 1944 for the first time in the United States. Not until the 1960s did the “Nutcracker” really take off as an annual Christmas tradition around the world.
• Watch “The Nutcracker on Ice” at the Teatro Galerias Sunday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. performed by members of the Russian Ballet Company. Tickets 450-650 pesos.
• The Ballet de Jalisco, this state’s only professional ballet troupe, presents four performances of “The Nutcrackers” at the majestic Degollado Theater., accompanied by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jose Luis Castillo. Thursday to Saturday, December 14 to 16, 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 17, 12:30 p.m. Tickets from 450 pesos.
• Lucy Arce’s Ballet de Cámara de Jalisco dance school performs “The Nutcracker” with four invited professional soloists, and 100 dancers on stage, at the Teatro Diana Tuesday, December 5, 7 p.m. Tickets 250 pesos.
Christmas theme park
At Navidalia, patrons will be able to enjoy around 30 attractions, including a massive multi-media piñata, an 18-meter-tall Christmas tree, giant Reyes Magos (Wise Men), an ice walk (and rink), a train ride, Christmas characters and much more.
The winter wonderland will showcase all the typical Christmas traditions, but accentuate Mexican ones, its creators say.
The theme park will be divided into four main zones—the Mexican Posada, Nordic, European and Middle Eastern—and include 1.6 kilometers of walkways. A special feature of a visit to the park will be performances by Canticorum, a large orchestra and choir offering some of the best-loved Christmas carols and music from around the world.
Visitors should reckon on spending at least four hours in the theme park, organizers say.
Navidalia will be open Friday, December 8, though Saturday, December 30, (closed on December 11, 18 and 24). Hours will be 7 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday; and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
General admission is 610 pesos for adults, 310 pesos for children, but does not include all of the attractions. A Comfort Pass, including full access, preferential seating and access to the Tequila San Matias comfort zone, costs 1,776 pesos for adults and 916 pesos for children. Free parking is available across from the theme park.
Location: Parque Avila Camacho. Tickets from ticketmaster.com.mx and Ticketmaster outlets.
Carols
Italian-Mexican singer Filippa Giordano presents classic seasonal carols (villancicos) in a “Concierto de Nochebuena” at the Teatro Diana on Sunday, December 10, 6 p.m. Tickets from 450 pesos
Magical Experience
The elegant Clover Lawn Mansion on Avenida La Paz opens each evening in December for the family-oriented Sueño Mágico 2023 (Magical Christmas Experience). Enjoy the Candy Land ride area, the Magical Dream Parade tour of your favorite seasonal characters, a snow show, ice bar, Santa’s Mansion, videomapping and an exclusive play starring the Grinch and Santa. Adults 400 pesos, children 200 pesos (600 and 400 pesos for a fast track pass). From 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. each evening (closed December 24). Book tickets and time slots atfeverup.com/es/guadalajara.