How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Mexico City

Thinking about ringing in the New Year in Mexico City but not sure what to expect?

From lively celebrations and a free concert at El Ángel to navigating holiday closures and landing dinner reservations, I’ll lay out all you need to know for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve in Mexico City. 

I’ve lived in Mexico City since 2018, spending some years celebrating with friends’ families and others spent celebrating on Reforma and dining at restaurants with a view.

If my experience has taught me anything, it’s that the city runs on a slightly different schedule during the holiday season.

With some planning and local insight, I’ll help you find dinner reservations and avoid any surprises so you don’t miss out on all that Mexico City has to offer this time of year. 

New Year’s Eve in Mexico City

The days between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day in Mexico City are surprisingly quiet (except for NYE of course). 

Most people are on vacation, a lot of restaurants are closed, and families are home together celebrating the holidays. 

It feels like a ghost town when I walk around my neighborhood, Roma Norte, this time of year. 

What’s usually a bustling neighborhood has turned quiet and serene. I love walking my dog, Colima, along the tranquil streets we seemingly get to enjoy all to ourselves.  

On the other hand, the Centro Historico neighborhood will be busier than ever with people shopping and Mexican tourists coming from outside CDMX to spend New Year’s celebrating in the Zócalo and the Ángel de la Independencia. 

It’s common for chilangos (CDMX locals) to spend New Year’s Eve at home with their families like I did last year with my friend Gaby and her family in Coyoacán. 

We ate the juiciest turkey of my life, played games, and at 12 grapes when the clock struck midnight (a Mexican tradition). 

While restaurants are a gamble, most tours and tourist sites (like Teotihuacán) are open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Mexico City

Concert at the Ángel

Mexico City’s main event for New Year’s Eve is the celebration at the Ángel de la Independencia on Reforma with thousands of party-goers, dancing, a free big-name concert, and fireworks at midnight. 

If you’re looking to party like a local, this is the place to be. The celebration kicks off at around 10 PM with thousands of people gathered starting at the Ángel down the lengths of Reforma as the countdown to midnight begins.

Celebratory Drinks

Prefer the idea of ringing in the new year in a swanky speakeasy or an elegant rooftop bar with a mezcal cocktail in hand? 

It’ll be trickier than other nights of the year to find a bar that’s open, but it can be done. 

A sure bet is the hotels on Reforma like Marriot, St. Regis, Sheraton, the Four Seasons, or the popular Citzyen bar on the rooftop of Sofitel. 

Have another bar in mind? The best way to find out if a bar is open for New Year’s is to contact them through Instagram or WhatsApp.

New Year’s Eve Dinner

If you’re not into crowds, another solid option is to reserve a table for a New Year’s Eve dinner at one of Mexico City’s best restaurants. 

It can be tricky finding out which restaurants will be open, but I’ll give you my best tips below so you can secure a table for a celebratory dinner. 

How to Find a Reservation for New Year’s Eve

Do Some Detective Work 

The best way to find a dinner reservation takes a bit of digging. 

I would first do your research, read about the best restaurants in the city, and write down the ones that most interest you. 

Then reach out to them through WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram. 

A simple message along the lines of, “Hola buenas tardes, quisiera saber si estaran abiertos para la noche de año nuevo?” will do the trick. 

If they say yes, ask if they take reservations or how late they are open. 

Most restaurants that take New Year’s Eve reservations put on a special, multi-course menu that starts at around $75 USD per person and start seating at 7 PM at the earliest.

Most restaurants won’t advertise if they have a New Year’s Eve dinner on their Instagram account until just a couple of weeks before the big night (if at all).

That’s usually not enough advance notice to make plans around which is why I recommend starting your research a month or two in advance.

Keep it casual

If you’re just looking for a quick place to eat and don’t want a three (or more) course meal, you probably won’t need a reservation, but you’ll still need to ask around to see what will be open. 

You can wait until you’re in Mexico City to see what’s open or you can contact restaurants beforehand, but there will be fewer places open like normal that don’t require a reservation for a formal sit-down dinner. 

A lot of places will close after lunch and not open again until the 2nd of January, so a casual dinner can be tricky. 

Reach Out to Your Hotel

Another alternative is if you’re staying at a hotel, ask if they can help you find a dinner reservation. If they don’t have their own New Year’s dinner, they likely know of one nearby. 

Book a Table at a Big-Name Hotel 

If you know you want to go all out for a luxury New Year’s Eve dinner and don’t mind shelling out a couple hundred dollars a person, book a table at one of the big hotels on Reforma like Sheraton, Marriot, Four Seasons, and the Ritz-Carlton which is home to one of our favorite restaurants for special occasions, Ling Ling. 

Best Restaurants & Bars for New Year’s Eve in Mexico City

I know how overwhelming planning a trip can be and holiday travel takes even extra considerations.

If you don’t have the time to research what restaurants to go to and figure out if they will be open for New Year’s Eve, here’s a list of my top picks that are confirmed to be open for NYE dinner 2025.

I’ll add more to the list as restaurants confirm their schedules for the end of the year. 

Restaurants

Terraza Cha Cha Cha

This is my top pick for a fun and tasty New Year’s Eve dinner. It’s a nice three-course meal without being over the top or super expensive. 

This rooftop restaurant has a stunning view of the Monumento de la Revolucion and overall great vibes.

I celebrated my 24th birthday here and it’s a restaurant I like to take friends and family to when they visit. 

The food and drinks are delicious, the service is great, and the ambiance is elevated but laid-back. 

Plus, they know how to put on a good New Year’s Eve celebration.

Google Maps Info: Av. de la República 157, Tabacalera, Cuauhtémoc, 06030 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Balcón del Zócalo 

This gourmet restaurant is one of the most well-known for holidays and books up fast.

Make reservations ASAP if you want to eat a Chef’s Table dinner with a view of the Zócalo and the cathedral. 

Google Maps Info: Av. 5 de Mayo 61, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Blanco Colima

Located in a beautiful Roma Norte mansion, Blanco Colima is another luxury restaurant to ring in the New Year. 

They are another popular restaurant that is always open for New Year’s so reserve in advance if you want to enjoy an elegant dinner here. 

Google Maps Info: Colima 168, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Bars

Balmori

A cool, local rooftop bar in Roma Norte, Balmori is a great place for New Year’s drinks (and food) without the extra fuss of big-name restaurants. 

It’s one of the bars Jorge and I frequent the most with our friends on a normal Friday night. 

Google Maps Info: Zacatecas 139 Segundo piso, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 CDMX

Cityzen

An upscale rooftop bar with sweeping views of Reforma, Cityzen offers a more luxurious New Year’s Eve experience.

Google Maps Info: 297 Avenue, Av. P.º de la Reforma 297-Piso 38, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Where to Stay in Mexico City for New Year’s

If you want to be close to the celebrations and the restaurants, I would stay in colonias Roma Norte, Condesa, Juarez, or along Paseo de la Reforma. 

I wouldn’t recommend staying in Centro Historico this time of year because it is a mad house and getting to/from Centro will be a nightmare.

If you want a more family-orientated neighborhood, Coyoacan is a charming, but still very lively option. 

New Year’s Day in Mexico City

Everyone is at home nursing their hangovers on New Year’s Day. 

The streets are quiet and most restaurants are closed, but you can still find some places that are open. 

For dinner on New Year’s Day last year, I met friends for tacos at one of our local taquerías in Roma Norte.

Tourist attractions like Teotihuacan are open, but it’s a good day to enjoy quieter streets and bike around or explore neighborhoods like Roma Norte on foot. 

If you’re looking for something more organized, most tours operate on New Year’s Eve and Day. 

You can take a cooking class, tour the Anthropology museum with a guide, or fly over the pyramids of Teotihuacan in a hot air balloon.

Tips for New Year’s in Mexico City

• Prepare for crowds at tourist attractions. Locals on vacation will take advantage of their time off and play tourist just like you. Sites like Teotihuacan, Centro Historico, Pueblo Magicos, and other day trip destinations will be busier than usual with Mexican tourists from Christmas until Día de los Reyes (January 6th).

• Keep your phone and wallet where you can see them. Especially if you’re in crowded areas like Centro or at the New Year’s Eve party by the Ángel. Don’t keep valuables in your pockets, backpack, or a non-secure purse. I feel safest with a small belt bag across my chest or a cross-body purse that I can wear in the front.

• Book your accommodation within walking distance from where you will be celebrating. This way you avoid New Year’s Eve crowds and upcharges in Uber rides. If you know you want to celebrate at the Angel of Independence, get a hotel on Reforma, Colonia Juarez or Colonia Roma Norte for an easy walk or a short Uber ride home. 

• Bring warm clothes and a nice outfit. December and January in Mexico City might get colder than you’d think. Expect nighttime and early morning temperatures in the low 40’s Fahrenheit (5ºC). The secret to to packing the right clothes for Mexico City is layers because even though it will be cold at night on New Year’s Eve, during the day is warm and sunny. Mexicans like to dress up for special occasions, so if you plan on a nice dinner out, dress up. You won’t be overdressed if you wear skirts or dresses, a button-down, and slacks.

• Plan for closures the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. If there is a restaurant, coffee shop, or tourist site you don’t want to miss while you’re here, it’s worth double checking their hours during the holidays because they might not be open for their usual hours. I recommend checking their website or social media to verify or reach out. 

• Make dinner reservations in advance. If you don’t want to be scrambling last-minute for a nice New Year’s Eve dinner, make reservations ahead of time. 

Final Thoughts – Is Mexico City Worth Visiting for New Year’s?

With a bit of planning and local know-how, Mexico City makes for an awesome New Year’s destination.

Whether you join the celebration and concert at El Ángel, reserve a table for an upscale dinner, or enjoy a laid-back night in a quieter neighborhood, Mexico City will show you a great time.

Ready to explore Mexico City beyond the New Year’s celebrations? Check out my Things to Do in Roma Norte post to discover local spots for dining, culture, and activities in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods.