🌴 Cassie and the Flyin' Cats Return to Playa del Carmen!

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🎄 Good morning Insiders! The festivities are in full swing with posadas and performances. Keep reading so you don’t miss a thing this holiday season!

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TRIVIA TIME

🌺 Trivia Time – A Christmas Classic with Mexican Roots

Every December, homes and storefronts across the United States and Canada fill with a bright red plant that has become synonymous with Christmas décor. What many people don’t realize is that this festive favorite has deep roots right here in Mexico—and has been part of winter celebrations long before it crossed the border.

You will find the answer at the end of this email! Did you get it right? We will have another brain-teaser for you next Thursday. Share this newsletter with all your Trivia-loving friends!

FIVE FUN THINGS

Here are my picks for Five Fun Things you might want to check out! Some are coming up soon. Others you will want to reserve and plan for well in advance. As always, links to ticketing information and the locations are included in each description.

🎄 Puerto Aventuras Traditional Christmas Posada

If you have ever wanted to participate in a traditional posada, here’s your chance. Join your neighbors and friends for a festive evening of Mexican Christmas traditions in Puerto Aventuras. The celebration kicks off at 5 PM with a Catholic Mass in the garden on Bahía Xcacel #32 (across from Catalonia Hotel), followed by a colorful community procession with stops along the way to “pedir posada” — traditional costumes are encouraged!

At the bandstand, enjoy a full lineup of family fun including a traditional food sale (tamales, buñuelos, ponche, and more), a variety show with carolers, pastorelas, live music, and a DJ, plus raffles and prize giveaways. There will be piñatas, a life-size nativity scene for photos and even mariachis. Entry is free, but donations are welcome, and food and raffle tickets will be available at the entrance. Come for one part or stay for it all—everyone is welcome at this joyful community celebration!

📍 #32 Bahia Kantenah | PA Bandstand | Puerto Aventuras
📆 Friday, December 19
🕔️ Mass begins at 5 PM
🕕️ Procession begins at 6 PM
🕖️ Festival at the bandstand 7 -10 PM

🎸 Cassie & the Flyin’ Cats Live at Fah Bar

Get ready for an electrifying night of live, high-energy, rockabilly hits with Cassie & the Flyin’ Cats, stopping in Playa del Carmen as part of their 2025 Cancun & Riviera Maya tour! Known for bringing vibrant retro style and irresistible grooves to every stage they hit, this band blends vintage rockabilly flair with modern swagger, getting audiences dancing and singing along wherever they play.

Cassie & the Flyin’ Cats have built a reputation in the Mexican live music scene for their dynamic shows and infectious rhythms — expect a set full of upbeat classics, danceable rhythms, and plenty of good vibes. Bring your friends, enjoy the tunes, and let Cassie & the Flyin’ Cats take you on a rock‑and‑roll ride through the holidays!

📍 Fah Bar | 5th Ave. Playa del Carmen
📅 Friday, December 19, 2025 | 9:30 PM
🎟️ No cover charge | Reservations recommended 984 190 2883

🎤 Stand Up Night at Live Music Hall

Puerto Morelos, get ready for a night of belly laughs and face-melting riffs! It all kicks off with stand-up comedy in English, hosted by Iguana Comedy co-founder Andrew Jonch and featuring a lineup of sharp, hilarious performers guaranteed to have you crying with laughter.

Iguana Comedy is closing out 2025 with “Runnin’ Outta Time”, a mini-tour featuring comedian, inventor, and self-proclaimed “recovering runaholic” Oumer Isha —a man who has performed stand-up on every continent and still somehow can’t sit still.

When the mic drops, the volume cranks up with Black Jam taking the stage to rock the night out.

📍 Live Music Hall | Av. Javier Rojo Gomez | Puerto Morelos
📅 Saturday, December 20 | 7 PM
🎟️ Limited spots! Reserve now at www.iguanacomedy.com. A special dinner package can also be purchased at the door.

🎄 Experience The Nutcracker Ballet

Get ready for a magical night of Christmas tradition as the Russian State Ballet Mari El, under the direction of Konstantin Ivanov, brings The Nutcracker to life at the Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen. I have seen this production in years past and can tell you, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.

This beloved holiday masterpiece arrives with all the grace, charm, and visual splendor of an authentic Russian ballet production. Expect exquisite costumes, dazzling stage design, and world-class dancers performing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score — from the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies to the battle with the Mouse King. This performance is a beautiful way to welcome the holiday season, perfect for families, ballet lovers, and anyone craving a festive night out in Playa del Carmen.

📍 Teatro de la Ciudad "Xaman Ha" | Playa del Carmen
📆 Saturday, December 20 | Curtain Time: 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available here

🌿 Celebrate National Day of Maya Culture

Join the community in honoring the wisdom, spirituality, and living traditions of the Maya people on National Day of Maya Culture. This special morning at the Centro Cultural brings together ceremony, knowledge, dance, poetry, and gastronomy—offering a meaningful way to connect with the roots that continue to shape the region today.

The program opens with a Maya ceremony marking the Winter Solstice, followed by talks (in Spanish) on Maya dress and identity, reflections on the significance of this national day, and poetry in the Maya language celebrating maize and cultural strength. You’ll also enjoy traditional Paax Maya dance, insights into the spiritual role of ancestral instruments, and a tasting of Maya cuisine—a sensory journey through history, art, and heritage.

📍 Centro Cultural | Playa del Carmen
📆 Sunday, December 21 | Starts at 9:00 AM
🎟️ Free Admission

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WEEKEND WEATHER

The weekend forecast is projected for Playa del Carmen. The Riviera Maya is notorious for its microclimates. If you are in another part of the region, your weather may vary.

⛅ Weekend Weather Outlook

Thursday (Dec 18)
83 🌡️ 72 | 🌩️ (isolated t-storms late) | 17% | 💨 E 5 mph (4 knots)

Friday (Dec 19)
85 🌡️ 71 | 🌦️ (showers early, then cloudy) | 14% | 💨 E 6 mph (5 knots)

Saturday (Dec 20)
81 🌡️ 74 | 🌦️ (isolated t-storms, cloudy) | 45% | 💨 E 6 mph (5 knots)

Sunday (Dec 21)
84 🌡️ 73 | 🌦️ (showers late, mostly cloudy) | 18% | 💨 E 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature ≈ 83 °F (≈ 28 °C) — still very swim-ready.

Summary: Warm, sticky, and a little moody — mostly manageable through Friday, then Saturday brings the biggest “surprise shower” energy. Plan the beach early, and let your umbrella come along as emotional support.

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ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE WEEK

Riviera Maya Insider is working together with Playa Animal Rescue to help amazing dogs find forever homes. Each week, we will feature a pup who is ready for adoption and eager to join your family.

🐾 Meet Carole, our precious little survivor with a story that’s impossible not to love. She arrived just before Christmas last year after being rescued in Cancún withz along with a friend and her two babies. At the time, Carole was starving and had lost most of her hair—but even then, her gentle spirit shone through. Fast forward to today and just look at her now: healthy, happy, and absolutely adorable in her scruffy loveliness.

Carole is spayed, fully vaccinated, and parasite-free, and she’s grown into a sweet, affectionate little lady who truly enjoys being loved. She’s calm, kind, and would make the perfect companion for someone looking for a loyal, low-key friend to share their days with. If you’re ready to give Carole the loving home she’s been waiting for, please email [email protected] to learn more. She’s already come so far—now all she needs is her forever family. 🐾

💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support Carole and other pets awaiting their forever home. PAR also needs sponsors and volunteers to help with dog walking and charm school. Find out how you can help!

RMI LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

We do our best to get the most up to date information from the venues and bands. Most of the venues have transitioned into high season mode and have lots of great live music going on! Most of the slots look like they are filled but gigs and bookings may still be added at the last minute. We will do our best to keep the list up to date. Use the button below to see the updated list.

If you are performing in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras or Akumal and would like to see your live music, karaoke or open mic night included in the RMI weekly newsletter, please submit your information for the lineup.

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