Christmas Shopping at Mercado de Jamaica and Mercado de Sonora
Three markets in the Venustiano Carranza borough supply much of the city's Christmas. What each one sells, how to reach them by Metro and how to shop in the December crowds.
For Christmas shopping in Mexico City, Mercado de Jamaica is the place for poinsettias (nochebuenas), natural trees and wreaths, and it sits on top of Metro Jamaica, Lines 4 and 9. Mercado de Sonora, near Metro Merced on Line 1, and the candy market of La Merced sell nativity figures, piñatas and posada supplies. Bring cash in small bills.
What can you buy at Mercado de Jamaica in December?
Jamaica is the city’s main flower market, with about 1,150 vendors in three large halls, according to the city tourism office’s page on the Jamaica Market. Most stalls sell cut flowers, arrangements and live plants all year. In December the plant stalls fill with nochebuenas, the poinsettia, a plant native to Mexico, in classic red and in white, pink and speckled varieties.
Seasonal stands around the market add the rest of the Christmas kit: natural trees, wreaths and garlands, lights, ornaments and material for the nativity scene. Our overview of Christmas in Mexico City explains the seasonal street markets (romerías) and the rest of the holiday calendar.
Natural trees come from Mexican growers or are imported from the United States, many of them from Oregon. The federal environmental enforcement agency, PROFEPA, inspects imported trees for pests at northern border crossings; its 2026 program runs from November 3 to December 5, 2026. Prices depend on size and species. In November 2025, press reports from Jamaica put natural trees at roughly MXN 1,000 for a 1.7-meter tree to about MXN 2,500 for one over 3 meters, and 2026 prices may differ.
For the nativity scene, the environment ministry (SEMARNAT) and PROFEPA ask buyers not to use wild moss (musgo) or Spanish moss (heno) taken from forests, because collecting them requires a federal permit. Artificial moss, sawdust and dry fallen branches are the usual substitutes.
How do you get to Mercado de Jamaica and when is it open?
Take the Metro to Jamaica station, which serves Lines 4 and 9. The tourism office advises leaving through the Line 9 side, because that station runs directly under the market, while the Line 4 platforms are above street level. La Viga station on Line 8 is about 350 meters away. The street address is Guillermo Prieto 45, colonia Jamaica, Venustiano Carranza.
The flower market trades around the clock, every day of the year, with wholesale buying concentrated overnight and before dawn. Individual stalls and the seasonal Christmas stands set their own hours, so the widest choice for retail buyers is in daytime.
What does Mercado de Sonora sell for Christmas?
Mercado de Sonora, at Fray Servando Teresa de Mier 419 in colonia Merced Balbuena, is best known for medicinal herbs, folk remedies and items for spiritual practices. In the weeks before Christmas its aisles and the stands around it also sell nativity figures in every size, along with decorations, lights, toys, piñatas and party supplies such as candy bags and balloons.
The nearest Metro stations are Merced on Line 1, about 330 meters away according to the tourism office, and Fray Servando on Line 4. Published opening hours differ between sources and sections. Most stalls work from about 9:00 until early evening, with shorter hours on Sundays, so go before mid-afternoon for the full range.
Where do you buy piñatas and posada candy?
La Merced, a short walk north of Sonora, is the city’s wholesale district for candy and party goods. Its candy market, Mercado de Dulces Ampudia, stands on Circunvalación beside the main Merced hall. The tourism office lists more than 150 merchants selling bulk candy, nuts, sugars and spices, open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Piñata stalls in the surrounding streets sell the classic seven-point star and cartoon characters, and candy by the kilo to fill them. Metro Merced (Line 1) and Candelaria (Lines 1 and 4) are the closest stations.
| Market | Best for | Nearest Metro | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercado de Jamaica | Poinsettias, natural trees, wreaths, flowers | Jamaica (Lines 4 and 9), La Viga (Line 8) | Around the clock; stalls vary |
| Mercado de Sonora | Nativity figures, decorations, toys, piñatas | Merced (Line 1), Fray Servando (Line 4) | Roughly 9:00 to early evening; shorter on Sundays |
| Mercado de Dulces Ampudia, La Merced | Bulk candy, small candy bags (aguinaldos), piñata filling | Merced (Line 1), Candelaria (Lines 1 and 4) | 8:30 to 18:00 daily |
The three markets fit into one trip. Jamaica is two stops south of Candelaria on Line 4, with Fray Servando in between, and a Metro ride costs MXN 5 as of November 2026. Our guide to the Metro fare and the integrated mobility card explains how to pay.
How crowded and safe are the markets in December?
Crowds build through December and peak on weekends and in the days just before December 24, when the Metro stations around La Merced are also packed. Pickpocketing is the main risk in tight aisles and on full trains. A few habits help:
- Go on a weekday morning if you can.
- Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag worn in front of you.
- Leave your passport and spare cards at home, and carry only the cash you plan to spend, split between two pockets.
- Agree on a meeting point with anyone you shop with, since it is easy to lose each other in the aisles.
- For a tree or a large order, ask the vendor about delivery, or plan for a taxi or an app car big enough for the load.
How should you pay?
Cash is the norm at market stalls, ideally in small bills, because vendors may not have change for MXN 500 or 1,000 notes early in the day. Some larger stalls take cards or bank transfers, but do not count on it. Withdraw cash before you go, since ATMs near the markets have lines in December and using one in a crowd draws attention. Asking for a better price is common when you buy several plants or candy by the kilo, and less so for a single item.
Bottom line
Buy the tree and poinsettias at Jamaica early in December, while the choice is widest, then take Line 4 to Fray Servando or Candelaria for nativity figures, piñatas and candy. Go on a weekday morning with small bills, and check the weather before a long day on foot; our page on Mexico City in December covers the cold mornings and the air quality.
FAQ
Is Mercado de Jamaica open on December 24?
Yes. The flower market trades every day of the year, including Christmas Eve. Trees and the best poinsettias are scarcer by then, so shop earlier in the month.
When do the Christmas stands appear?
Seasonal sellers start setting up in November. By November 20, 2025, press reports were already listing tree prices at Jamaica, and the borough sets the dates of its seasonal street markets each year.
Can you buy a nativity set at Mercado de Sonora?
Yes. Sonora and the stands around it sell complete sets and single figures in clay, ceramic and porcelain, plus stables and lights. Prices vary widely by size and finish, so compare a few stalls before buying.
Do the markets accept cards?
Some larger stalls do, but most vendors expect cash. Bring small bills and withdraw money before you arrive.
