Here’s How All-Inclusive Resorts are Celebrating at the Holidays

All-inclusive resorts are pulling out all the stops when it comes to celebrating at the holidays, with properties showcasing glittering Christmas trees and other festive décor, rolling out special seasonal menus, launching holiday-themed workshops and activities and much more.

Here’s a rundown on what travelers can expect at all-inclusive resorts at the holidays:

AVA Resort Cancun

From Dec. 15, 2025, to Jan. 12, 2026, AVA Resort Cancun will unveil Winter Festival, a lineup of holiday-themed activities such as gingerbread house and cookie-making workshops and cooking classes focusing on festive dishes.

The resort will also feature Christmas-themed musical shows, twice-weekly holiday parades and festive dinners, some of which will include bacalao and romeritos — popular staples on Mexican holiday menus.

“With the resort adorned in festive décor, from Christmas trees to nutcrackers, AVA Resort Cancun offers a warm, joyful atmosphere while remaining committed to celebrating all holidays and ensuring every guest feels welcome,” according to the property.

Beaches Resorts

The Elf on the Shelf’s Scout Elf has made its triumphant return to Beaches properties in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. Through Dec. 31, 2025, guests can participate in a range of “Scout Elf-approved experiences,” including holiday parties, movie nights under the stars and more.

New for the 2025 holiday season is The Elf on the Shelf Caribbean Vacation Suite at Beaches Turks & Caicos, which is appointed with wallpaper featuring Scout Elves relaxing amid palm trees, themed bedding and a Christmas tree adorned with Scout Elf ornaments. The suite also comes with a Jingle Shell Butler, “a merry attendant on call day and night to make every whimsy wish come true,” according to Beaches — from bubble baths that “shimmer like sea foam” to marshmallow turndown surprises and milk-and-cookie treats.

Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa

Offering an all-inclusive option for guests to celebrate the holidays, Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa will feature Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at waterfront venue Aleta. The resort will be decorated in festive style, including a Christmas tree in the lobby, and it will also host a number of holiday-themed workshops, such as cookie-decorating classes.

The Cabo San Lucas resort, which is set on Medano Beach, will ring in the New Year at the panoramic Rooftop 360 bar with a five-hour party with an open bar and views of fireworks extending from Land’s End to the marina.

Elite Island Resorts

Elite Island Resorts’ seven all-inclusive resorts will celebrate the holidays in “island fashion,” complete with Champagne breakfasts, festive dinners and classic holiday sing-alongs set against some of the Caribbean’s most spectacular weather and water views, according to the company.
Its properties include The Verandah Antigua, Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, Hammock Cove Antigua, St. James’s Club & Villas Antigua and Galley Bay Resort & Spa Antigua, as well as The Club Barbados in Barbados and Los Establos Boutique Resort Panama.

Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa

An all-inclusive package enables guests of Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa to participate in a lineup of experiences that put the spotlight on holiday cheer in a beachfront tropical setting.

“Throughout December, resort guests can immerse themselves in local culture at a traditional Mexican kermes (carnival) and discover the magic of a Mexican fair with a vibrant and flavorful evening filled with music, games, delicious food and festive vibes,” according to Marriott.

Sandals Resorts

Sandals resorts in the Caribbean are ringing in the holidays with an array of themed activities. Sandals Grenada, for example, will offer holiday caroling, a Christmas Day service, steel band entertainment, a festive drink station and dining menus with Christmas themes.

Sandals is also offering the “Gift the Caribbean” sale through Dec. 8, 2025, which offers travelers discounts of up to $1,000, resort credits and free nights on longer stays. The company additionally introduced gifting campaign Hint the Caribbean, where clients can let friends, family and partners know that a Caribbean vacation is on their wish list.

“The playful DIY toolkit is designed to finally make hinting work, featuring Sandals’ signature jerk chicken and favorite rum cocktail recipes, a Caribbean playlist, a postcard from paradise and other nudges that make the message unmistakable: ‘I want a Caribbean vacation,’” according to Sandals.

UNICO Riviera Nayarit

UNICO Riviera Nayarit has kicked off the holiday season with a number of celebratory experiences that will continue through New Year’s. On Christmas Eve, guests can mix beach cardio dance sessions with cultural endeavors such as UNICO’s Agave Experience and Artesano Experience. In the evenings, the resort is providing guests with live music, a Mexican market, bingo and DJ entertainment in multiple public venues.

“As 2025 comes to a close, Dec. 30 offers a golden-hour poolside celebration at Pacífico Pool, complete with live music, specialty cocktails and Pacific Ocean views,” according to the property.

Velas Resorts

The luxury all-inclusive Velas Resorts is transforming its properties in Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta into winter wonderlands, with Christmas tree lightings, menorah ceremonies, Santa’s arrival via helicopter and Mexican cultural touches such as Huichol solstice rituals.

At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, for instance, the alfresco Ocean Garden will transform into Magic Ville, “a whimsical North Pole village,” according to Velas.

At Velas Vallarta, meanwhile, guests will have the chance to experience traditions such as a Huichol winter solstice ceremony and a workshop on how to make jicaletas, a popular Mexican street-food snack.

World of Hyatt

The adults-only Secrets Resorts & Spas, family-friendly Dreams Resorts & Spas and Hyatt Vivid Playa del Carmen are offering guests a generous number of holiday experiences, which vary from property to property.

Some of these experiences and activities include tree-lighting ceremonies, themed Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners, gingerbread house-decorating, creating piñatas and the Alma de Mexico show, which puts the spotlight on cultural traditions in different states throughout the country.

At Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, guests can take part in a ginger cookie race and Grinch pool party, while Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa guests will be privy to a painting workshop and a white party in the resort’s amphitheater.

Other World of Hyatt resorts offering holiday cheer include Impression Moxché by Secrets, Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen and Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to book a stay at on of the all-inclusive resorts at the holidays.