A long-empty lot between Starbucks on Paseo de Montejo and the Holiday Inn on Avenida Colón will become an unlikely winter wonderland this holiday season, as Mérida welcomes its first-ever ice skating rink as part of the city’s expanded Mérida Brilla (Mérida Shines) festival.
The lot, which decades ago housed the US Consulate, will be transformed into “La Magia sobre Hielo” (Magic on Ice), operating from December 7 through January 7 at the Justo Sierra traffic circle on Paseo de Montejo—bringing a distinctly un-Yucatecan experience to one of the city’s most iconic boulevards.
Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada unveiled the ambitious holiday program on November 27, announcing that the ice rink and other attractions will be free to the public.
“Each activity was created with Meridanos in mind, people we care for and want to see happy,” Patrón Laviada said during the presentation at Parque Ecológico del Poniente. “This is about embracing our city, enjoying it together, and generating community unity, which is Mérida’s greatest strength in fostering social peace.”
The ice rink will operate Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Schools and civil associations can arrange weekday morning visits from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by requesting access through the city’s Social Development and Poverty Alleviation office on Calle 65.
The rink will close on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with limited hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (9 a.m. to noon).
Beyond the ice rink, Mérida Brilla will feature a new “Sendero de Magia y Luz” (Pathway of Magic and Light) at Parque Ecológico del Poniente, where visitors can immerse themselves in a festive atmosphere of music and color. Access to this attraction requires advance tickets, which will be distributed December 8-10 at Centro Cultural Olimpo, Parque Ecológico del Poniente, and select Centros Aprende locations. Distribution is limited to two tickets per person with valid ID.
The festival kicks off November 30 with the traditional tree lighting at the Remate de Paseo de Montejo and will run through January 7, encompassing 24 free events across the city. Highlights include eight Christmas tree lightings in different neighborhoods, five caravan routes featuring Santa Claus and performers on illuminated floats, and a video mapping display of Christmas carols projected onto the former penitentiary building at Parque de la Paz beginning December 11.
A nighttime Christmas bicycle route, “Extreme Christmas” activities at the extreme sports park (December 19-21), and themed dance performances by Centros Aprende will round out the programming. Holiday markets will also pop up throughout the city, supporting local artisans, entrepreneurs, and producers during the high-traffic season.
The festival represents a coordinated effort among several municipal departments, including Social Development, Public Services, Culture, and the Municipal Police, working together to ensure safe, organized, and accessible activities for all residents and visitors.
The complete schedule of Mérida Brilla events is available at www.merida.gob.mx/meridabrilla.