If you’ve walked past the Centro Cultural Riviera after sunset this week and wondered why the building suddenly looks alive, you’re not imagining things. Ensenada’s holiday video mapping show officially kicked off on December 13 and will run through December 22, turning one of the city’s most iconic landmarks into a nightly light and sound experience.
The production, titled La Historia de la Navidad, uses large-scale projection mapping to transform the Riviera’s historic façade into a moving canvas. Animated scenes, festive imagery, and moments inspired by Christmas traditions unfold across the building, synced with music and sound effects that pull the crowd in fast.
This isn’t just a few decorative lights. Multiple high-power projectors and custom animation were designed specifically for the Riviera’s architecture, which makes the show feel immersive instead of gimmicky. One minute you’re looking at a 1930s cultural landmark. The next, it’s glowing, shifting, and telling a story.
Since opening night, the plaza has filled quickly each evening. Families bring kids, couples linger longer than planned, and more than a few people stop mid-walk when the lights come on. It’s free, outdoors, and easy to enjoy even if you show up without a plan.
The Riviera itself adds a lot to the experience. Originally opened as the Hotel Riviera del Pacífico, the building has long been a symbol of Ensenada’s cultural life. Seeing it used as the centerpiece for a modern digital installation feels like a respectful nod to its past, not a distraction from it.
The video mapping show runs nightly at 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:00 PM, giving visitors three chances each evening to catch the full experience. If you’re planning to go, earlier evenings tend to be calmer, while weekends draw bigger crowds and a more festive, social vibe.
With several nights still left, this is one of those December events worth stepping out for. The lights shut off after December 22, and once they do, the Riviera goes back to being quietly elegant — at least until the next reason to light it up.
No tickets. No lines. Just show up, look up, and enjoy Ensenada doing December right.
