Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Events Calendar of fiestas, celebrations, holidays, cultural and artistic happenings


JANUARY:

1 - New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo), national holiday. Banks and
public government offices remain closed.

6 - Day of the Kings (Día de los Reyes) is the traditional
gift-giving day in the Mexican celebration of holidays when
children receive toys and gifts in honor of the Three King’
visit to baby Jesus. Some restaurants, hotels and The
International Friendship Club, one of Puerto Vallarta’s
largest charities, annually visits local hospitals and rural
communities bringing truckloads of toys to local children.

DECEMBER - APRIL
Whale watching: Each winter season a growing number of
travelers enjoy excursions to view the migrating Humpback
whales in Banderas Bay. From December to April, these gentle
giants can be seen breaching out of the water as parents
instruct their baby calves in the ways of their watery world.
Local eco-tour operators are licensed by the National
Environmental Agency to assure respectful watching of these
magnificent mammals. Contact Mike and Carmen at

 www.aquaguyscuba.com to book an excursion.

FEBRUARY:

5 - Constitution Day, national holiday and parade. Banks and
public government offices remain closed.

14 - Friendship Day (Día de Amistad); in Mexico, not just
love, but friendship as well is celebrated on February 14.
Special menus in fine restaurants, and live music to dance in
different Latino ambience night clubs.

20-23 - First time in Puerto Vallarta, The National Charro
Tournament, at the Lienzo Charro Manuel “Prieto“ Ibarría.
Competition the 24 best Mexican teams, including last year
champion, and the “Tres Potrillos” ranch team of the famous
Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez, one of the best in Mexico.

24 - Mexican Flag Day. Mexican celebration.

28 - Becas Ball, is an annual benefit dinner-dance and raffle
to raise funds for scholarships for Puerto Vallarta’s students
in need. The Scholarship Committee is a long-standing
organization of foreign and Mexican residents who work to help
meet the financial needs of students unable to continue their
education due to economic hardship. The ball is going to be
held at the Westin Regina Hotel.
Regatta Action!
Banderas Bay fills with sails as a series of regattas takes
full advantage of the gentle breezes, clear skies and calm
waters surrounding Puerto Vallarta.

MARCH:

First Tuesday - Carnival Day. Party with masks, kids parade
in the streets.

First Wednesday of the month - Ash Wednesday.

17 - San Patrick's Day. USA Celebration.

21 - Benito Juarez Day is a national holiday honoring the
renowned former president who is known as “The Lincoln of
Mexico.” March 21 First Day of Spring, and the beginning of
the Spring break season.

APRIL:

13-27 Semana Santa and Pascua, (Easter Break); Puerto
Vallarta is at its peak occupancy during this pre-Easter Holy
week, a time of national vocational and “spring break” from
schools.

26 - Secretary's Day. International Celebration.

30 - Kids' Day. Kids make a parade on streets and have party.

April - May

Spring is for Seniors: Senior Travelers are offered an extra
special welcome to Puerto Vallarta during these spring months.
Hotels offer special rates and value packages, the town puts
together an extensive calendar of activities, concerts, events
and excursions geared just for seniors. In addition, many
shops and restaurants in town offer discounts just for those
over-60 travelers enjoying Vallarta during springtime.

MAY:

Cultural May Festival
Each year during this month the city organizes the Festival
Cultural, where important local, national and international
artists (painters, musicians, actors, etc.) organize various
events and happenings all over the city.

1 - Labor Day, national holiday. Banks and public government
offices remain closed.

5 - Celebration the defeat of the French Army at Puebla in
1862, national holiday, Banks and public government offices
remain closed.

10 - Mother's Day, national holiday

Fiestas de Mayo (All of May). Traditional fair throughout the
month, complete with midway games and attractions, livestock,
exhibits, food, drinks and entertainment. It is held in an
open field in the charming neighborhood of El Pitillal; across
from the cruise ship terminal.

16-30 - Cultural Festival, art exhibitions, music, folkloric
ballet, theater, symphonic band, Mariachi band, etc.

21 - 23 May 21-23, 2004:
(11th ANNUAL): "Puerto Vallarta Sidral Aga International
Sports Classic"
Hotel Sheraton Resort and Towers.
Basketball (16 team men's open): Former / active Olympic /
professional / semi-professional and recreational players from
Canada, USA and Mexico.
Among other competitions are: (5) km open categories run,
Aerobics Marathon, Spin bike marathon, tennis (all levels),
(80) youth soccer teams, Canadian and US Embassy exhibition
softball. More than 2,000 participants in seven sports. Open
to the public to participate or simply enjoy the events.
Welcome cocktail approx. (800) persons: Hosted by Municipality
of Vallarta, Jalisco Secretary of Tourism and the Canadian
Embassy.
Social events nightly: Carlos O'Brian's and The Zoo club.
Information: Sheraton Buganvilias resort: (322) 226 04 04:
Attn: Claudia Velasquez.

24 - Arrival of Springbreakers for the following 6 weeks.

31 - Puerto Vallarta's anniversary day
MAY - DECEMBER Sea Turtle Preservation Months
Turtle Preservation Program; Puerto Vallarta has implemented
a community-wide preservation program that combines
protected nurseries for turtle eggs, plus educational
projects. Turtle Liberation ceremonies are held daily during
the season at participating hotel beaches. In addition,
Vallarta eco-tour operators host nighttime tours to research
camps designed to protect the eggs where visitors witness
sea turtles laying eggs in their natural habitat and the
release of the baby turtles as they make their initial
voyage to the sea. Puerto Vallarta’s coastline is among the
most important breeding grounds in the world for numerous
endangered species of sea turtles. The Puerto Vallarta Sea
Turtle Protection Project is a joint effort of the Puerto
Vallarta Hotel Association, city government and federal
authorities.

JULY:

1 - Marine Force Day. Mexican Celebration.

2 - National Elections Day. Held in Mexico every six years.

6 - End of the Spring break season

4-12 - Pigeon Racing Tournament Puerto Vallarta’s Triple
Crown, six competitions 2 in every distance 200, 300 and 350
Kilometers. For information>>. The State Pigeon Racing
Association will have his Annual Assembly from July 10 to 12.

18 - Death of Benito Juarez. Former Mexican president.

19 - Mexican school season vacations, begins

AUGUST:

24 - End of the national vacations season.
 

SEPTEMBER:

Fiestas Patrias!

Mexico's independence
Commemorated during the month of September, with the famed
Independence Eve celebration taking place on the 15th. On this
night, the central plaza is filled with revelers participating
in the traditional grito, or Cry for Independence. The
following day is a national holiday, celebrated by a parade
through the center of town and continuing festivities.

14 - Charro Day. Charros (Mexican horsemen/women) parade
through town in morning (beginning at 10:00 am) wearing
traditional charro outfits which are beautifully decorated
jackets, pants and sombreros. Their finely brushed horses are
decked with their best equipment. Festivities continue
throughout the day and evening at various charro rings,
celebrations include bullfights, calf roping, food and
dancing.

15 - Independence Eve; on this night, the central plaza is
filled with revelers participating in the traditional “grito”,
or cry for independence. Led by the Mayor from the balcony in
City Hall, it is preceded by the lighting of the flame of
independence and a parade through the center of town. Then, at
11:00 p.m., the cry “Viva Mexico” is made, followed by an
impressive fireworks display. Food stands, music and folkloric
dance performances are also part of the festivities. Special
celebrations and live music to dance in different Latino
ambience nightclubs.

16 - The festivities continue on Independence Day, a national
holiday celebrated by more brilliant fireworks and a parade
that winds through the center of town. national holiday, Banks
and public government offices remain closed.

OCTOBER:

24 - United Nations Day. International Day.

31- Halloween; in Mexico you’ll also find costume parties,
treats and tricks. Local custom dictates that costumes be on
the ghoulish side, and local discos offer cash prizes up into
the thousand-dollar range. The real bewitching hour, however,
comes a few days later… Special contests and celebration in
discos and Latino ambience night clubs.

NOVEMBER:

Festival de las Artes, November
Each year during the month of November the city organizes the
Art Festival, where important local, national and
international artists (painters, musicians, actors, etc.)
organize various events and happenings all over the city.

1 - All Soul’s Day (Día de Todos Santos); on this day,
Mexicans pay homage to the souls of the children who have
passed on. Tradition states that the departed descend from the
heavens on this day, so family members prepare for their
arrival by leaving sugar skeletons, skulls and treats on
altars custom-designed for the occasion. Each year City Hall
offers a special alter exhibition, as does the Cultural Center
on Rio Cuale Island. Restaurants, nightclubs and stores also
create altars. November 1 is also the date of the annual
“Informe” or National State of the Union Address by the
nation’s president. All banks and government offices are
closed.

2 - Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos); families hold a
graveside vigil on this night, or at least leave their
favorite food and drink (usually tequila) on a special alter
constructed in their home or on the tomb of their departed
ancestors. Bakeries are filled with sweets shaped in the
symbols of death, and flowers and memorials fill the cemetery.
Particularly popular are marigolds, the sacred Aztec flower
that represents death.

7-23 - Puerto Vallarta Art Festival: Each November, the
exceptional Festival de las Artes takes place, featuring a
month-long series of art gallery shows and open-air, beachside
theater performances. An impressive range of artwork is
displayed from artists throughout Mexico. All events are free
to the public, and 2003 will mark the event’s seventh year.

13-23 - Mexico’s premier culinary event is the annual Puerto
Vallarta Gourmet Festival, over a period of 10 days. It serves
to showcase a spicy blend of culinary talents between the
local chefs at participating restaurants and over 20 guest
chefs from internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels
throughout the world. The Epicurean fete features gourmet
cooking classes, sunset wine tasting and special gourmet menus
at all participating venues available to diners only during
the festival. It has new surprises that will be announced in
February. Founded in 1995, the festival has continued to
attract over 20,000 attendees each year, and the organizers
expect the numbers to increase significantly in 2003 given the
great success of this Festival.

20 - Mexican Revolution Anniversary. Banks and public
government offices remain closed. A parade through the center
of town marks the anniversary celebration of the Revolution of
1910-1917.

20-22 - The state of Jalisco’s renowned 48th. International
Sailfish Tournament (Torneo Internacional Jalisco Pez Vela)
one of the most prestigious and traditional national and
international tournament on the West Coast. hosts hundreds of
coastal and inland fishermen from across the globe to Puerto
Vallarta. Anglers compete for the fish in Vallarta’s
picturesque Banderas Bay. Prizes are awarded to the boat with
the largest sailfish, marlin, wahoo and dorado caught (that
comply with local regulations). The event takes place over a
weekend in mid-November annually.

27 - Thanksgiving Day. Special dinners are served in the
hotels and fine restaurants in town.

29 until Dec 6 - INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PIGEON RACING
TOURNAMENT, Celebration of the National Pigeon Racing
Federation annual convention.

DECEMBER:

December 1 - 12 "Guadalupe" Processions.
During these twelve days, processions take place to the
Guadalupe Processions; during these twelve days, take place to
the downtown cathedral that bears the name of the patron saint
of both Puerto Vallarta and of Mexico. Guadalupe Day (Día de
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), is celebrated on December 12,
and almost every business, hotel, restaurant, neighborhood and
civic association makes a procession to the church for a
special mass they have devoted to the Virgin. For the larger
groups, these processions resemble a small parade, with
folkloric dancers, floats, singing and even fireworks
following their brief mass. The Tourist Department downtown
displays a poster each year listing the day and time of each
organization’s scheduled processions.

12 - Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe; this important
religious and social holiday marks the anniversary of the day
the Virgin Guadalupe made her miraculous appearance to a
peasant in Mexico. The processions (see above) culminate on
this day. On this day, fireworks abound and the central plaza
is filled with people street vendors selling fruits and other
local specialties. This date also marks Puerto Vallarta’s
“birthday.” In 1851, Don Guadalupe Sánchez Torres founded
Puerto Vallarta, when he brought his family and a few friends
to settle in an area alongside the Cuale River.

12 - Guadalupe Day in Quimixto; the small, south shore
community of Quimixto pays homage to the Virgin Guadalupe on
this eventful day. Baptisms, first communions and sometimes
weddings take place within the local community, culminating
with a procession of small “flotilla” decorative fishing boats
at 10:00 a.m., which makes its way down the shoreline. The
women and children that fill the ‘pangas’ sing hymns in the
Virgin Guadalupe’s honor.

12 - Anniversary of the foundation of Puerto Vallarta:
Special ceremony at the City Hall Council, and Fiesta at the
Malecon. The founding of Puerto Vallarta by Don Guadalupe
Sanchez Torres in 1851.

December 16-24 - Christmas Week.
All over Mexico, families, businesses and neighborhoods
celebrate the holidays with parties, known as “posadas.” This
tradition is a re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for
lodging in Bethlehem. Processions are formed to designated
houses and carrying candles, the people ask for lodging
through a melodic song. The host will refuse several times
before finally opening wide the door, signifying the start of
the party. The main Christmas celebration is a traditional
family dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by Midnight Mass.

25 - Christmas Day (Navidad); religious celebration and
national holiday. Banks and public government offices remain
closed.

31 - New Year’s Eve generates vibrant fiestas throughout
Puerto Vallarta at hotels, nightclubs and homes. In a very
special celebration, people get together at the Malecon in
Viejo Vallarta, and in Olas Altas Street at Playa de Los
Muertos Beach. Special Diners are served in the hotels and
fine restaurants. Some of the have live music to dance, if not
you will find live music at the Latin music night clubs, until
6 A.M.

***Please take note that there are many other activities too numerous to mention!

Note to event planners, etc - if you wish to have your event mentioned on this page,

please send an email to tom@jtworldwide.com at least 8 weeks before your event.