Marriott International is planning an extensive festive season across 11 luxury hotels and resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America, with celebrations running from Thanksgiving on 26 November 2026 into early January 2027. The programme combines Christmas, New Year and regional traditions with beachfront dining, cultural workshops, family activities and outdoor experiences.
The participating properties operate under Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W Hotels brands. Destinations include the Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil.
A festive programme built around local experiences
Rather than offering only conventional holiday meals and countdown parties, Marriott’s 2026 programme places destination-based experiences at the centre of the celebrations. Guests can expect regional cuisine, indigenous cultural activities, conservation projects, wellness sessions and family entertainment alongside traditional festive events.
The programme is scheduled to begin with Thanksgiving events on 26 November and continue through the Christmas period, New Year’s Eve and, at some resorts, Three Kings Day on 6 January 2027. Individual activities, dates and availability vary by property.
Caribbean resorts combine Christmas traditions with island settings
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman will celebrate its 20th festive season on Seven Mile Beach with a programme linked to the resort’s Emerald Anniversary. Thanksgiving will include a buffet in the Cayman Islands Royal Ballroom and a four-course dinner at Seven.
Further events include the unveiling of a life-size gingerbread house on 9 December, afternoon tea with Santa from 19 to 24 December and a Christmas Day brunch with seafood and carving stations. New Year’s Eve will feature a tasting menu at Blue, beachside entertainment and midnight fireworks for overnight guests.
Families will also be able to take part in marine conservation activities, including sea turtle education, night snorkelling and kayaking through mangrove ecosystems.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
In the US Virgin Islands, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas will blend Caribbean culture with seasonal dining and outdoor activities. The Thanksgiving schedule includes a five-kilometre Turkey Trot, a seaside painting workshop and a holiday luncheon featuring traditional and Caribbean dishes.
December programming includes Hanukkah-inspired dining from 4 to 12 December, a Santa-themed running event, a Christmas Eve pirate treasure hunt and a Christmas Day luncheon. New Year’s Eve celebrations will take place at Sails and Great Bay Beach, while children can attend a glow-themed event on New Year’s Day.
Salterra in South Caicos
Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in South Caicos, will hold 15 days of festivities from 19 December to 2 January. One highlight is an island cookout on a secluded cay, featuring traditional conch preparation over an open fire, communal dining and beachside gatherings.
Other events include children’s lantern-making, a festive parade, live cooking stations, a Christmas Gala Dinner and a New Year’s Eve celebration called Silver Night, with dining, dancing and fireworks.
Dominican Republic resort adds local flavour to the holidays
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort will introduce a festive calendar combining Dominican influences with international holiday customs. Thanksgiving activities on 26 November include a five-kilometre run, an artisan workshop and dinner at Cassava Restaurant.
A Christmas tree-lighting ceremony with live music is planned for 4 December. Christmas Eve will feature family-style dining at NINA Restaurant, while New Year’s Eve will bring a buffet at Cassava followed by a countdown to 2027.
Mexico leads Marriott’s Latin American festive programme
Mexico accounts for five of the 11 participating properties, making it the largest destination group in the announcement. Resorts in Los Cabos, Punta Mita, Riviera Maya and Costa Mujeres will focus on Mexican gastronomy, regional customs, wellness and cultural participation.
- Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: The Los Cabos resort will stage Ignite the Stars, featuring a Christmas fair, tree lighting, piñatas, a Mexican posada, mariachi music and a constellation-inspired New Year’s Eve dinner.
- Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort: The Los Cabos programme includes Thanksgiving dining overlooking the Sea of Cortez, a local artisan bazaar, tree lighting, fireworks, wellness activities and a Three Kings Day breakfast on 6 January.
- St. Regis Punta Mita: Guests can take part in a sunset gratitude ceremony inspired by Wixárika traditions and a Mexican Culinary Journey from 23 December to 3 January, featuring food from several regions.
- St. Regis Kanai: The Riviera Maya programme will explore Mayan culinary traditions through tuna-carving demonstrations, sikil p’ak workshops, festive dinners, beach bonfires and outdoor cinema.
- St. Regis Costa Mujeres: The Cancún-area resort will celebrate its first festive season with The Golden Legacy, combining Mexican holiday traditions, seasonal dining and the property’s butler service.
Costa Rica and Brazil add environmental and cultural programming
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo, will connect its festive calendar with conservation and community experiences. Thanksgiving will begin with native tree planting before a family-style dinner at Brisa, followed by a collaborative event involving visiting and resident chefs.
The wider programme is designed to make use of the resort’s natural setting and to give families opportunities to combine holiday celebrations with environmental activities. Marriott’s announcement also identifies Brazil among the participating destinations, although the available details do not set out a full property-by-property schedule for every resort.
What travellers should know
The programme is primarily relevant to guests booking stays at participating resorts rather than to travellers facing a change to airline schedules or entry rules. Activities may require advance reservations, have limited capacity or be available only to overnight guests, so visitors should confirm details directly with their chosen property.
Travellers from Ireland considering long-haul Christmas or New Year holidays should also check passport, visa and entry requirements for the specific destination. Requirements differ between Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Brazil, and may depend on nationality rather than departure point.
- Confirm the exact event dates with the resort before booking flights.
- Check whether dining events, excursions and celebrations carry additional charges.
- Ask about children’s programming, dietary requirements and accessibility.
- Review destination entry requirements and travel insurance before departure.
- Allow for possible changes to outdoor activities because of weather or local operating conditions.
Why the programme matters for luxury travel
Marriott’s announcement reflects a wider move towards experience-led festive travel. Resort guests are being offered more than a traditional Christmas meal: they can participate in local food traditions, cultural workshops, conservation projects and outdoor activities while staying in a luxury property.
The approach also gives each destination a distinct identity. Caribbean resorts emphasise beaches, marine life and island cuisine, while Mexican properties draw on regional gastronomy, indigenous traditions and local celebrations such as posadas and Three Kings Day.
Conclusion
Marriott’s 2026 festive programme will bring Christmas and New Year events to 11 luxury resorts across the Caribbean and Latin America, beginning with Thanksgiving on 26 November and continuing into January 2027. For travellers planning a seasonal escape, the key point is that activities differ significantly by property, so bookings should be checked directly with the resort for confirmed schedules, prices and availability.