Help - December Virgin of Guadalupe Festival

My husband and I will be in PV Dec. 8 - Dec 15 - right in the middle of the Festival. Has anyone else been there during this time? What should we expect - good and bad? Do restaurants and tours close down? Very very big crowds? We want to see some of the festivities but are not sure what to expect.

Dec 1st - 12th. Processions to the Church of Guadalupe, carrying candles at night, from all the communities, businesses and associations in and around Vallarta, with singing, dancing and bands.
Traffic can be held up and re-routed by this. Nothing closes. A list of those participating is posted at the tourist office on the corner of La Presidencia (City Hall).

By far, the best time of year to be in PV! The first few days, 1st through around the 5th, not quite as many activities. By about the seventh day, the main plaza in front of the cathedral is absolutely packed at night. You have never seen, tasted or smelled so much wonderful food!!!! And all safe...Oaxacan tamales, desserts galore (including pies from Yelapa!), tacos, enchiladas, loads of bananas and strawberries with cream...an endless list! The street (Juarez) that runs in front of the cathedral is full of the \"processions\" with Aztec dancers, floats, families, businesses all carrying candles, singing their traditional songs and baskets of fruits to the cathedral. Colors abound! The last day culminates in a huge fireworks display that night and the day is open to everyone...literally hundreds fill the streets - including many children dressed in traditional costume, moving up to the church. Books have been written on this....eat, watch, enjoy, eat some more and then waddle back to your hotel. My family knows - no cooking at my house from December 1 through December 12!!!!