CALENDER OF EVENTS
PUERTO VALLARTA – MEXICO
JANUARY
Pilot and grey whales bear their young in Banderas Bay. Season for sailfish, blue marlin and black marlin fishing. January through April.
1 – New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo ) – National Holiday
8 – Day of the Kings (Dia de los Reyes). Traditional Mexican gift giving day for children, in honor of the Three Kings’ visit to the baby Jesus. A sweet roll with a plastic miniature of Baby Jesus hidden inside is shared by family and friends. The person who gets the plastic miniature hosts the party on February 2.
FEBRUARY
2 – Candlemass – a time of purification. Celebrated with tamale parties.
5 – Constitution Day - official speeches and ceremonies take place nationwide.
14 – Friendship Day (Dia de Amistad) – Love and friendship are celebrated.
MARCH
21 – Benito Juarez’s birthday. Mexico observes a national holiday to honor one of the country’s most loved presidents, and leader of the 19th century Reform movement.
March through APRIL – Holy Week (Semana Santa) and Easter Sunday (Domingo Santa). During the days leading up to and including Easter, Mexicans hold celebrations and solemn processions in observance of Christ’s resurrection.
MAY
Mating season for giant mantra rays. You can sometimes see them from the Malecon, breaking the surface as they leap into the air.
Deep sea fishing season for red snapper and tuna through August.
During the entire month of May the residents honor their city with the Fiestas de Mayo, which include parades in the downtown area, bullfights, soccer games, dancing, street music and a gala featuring amusement park rides, children’s performances, exhibits and food. Many of these activities take place at the main square by the Cathedral of Guadalupe and the Los Arcos stage area. The final day of the Fiestas de Mayo, May 31, is Puerto Vallarta’s birthday. This event crowns the month with a grand celebration with awesome Mariachi music and a phenomenal fireworks display.
1 – Labor Day
3 – Construction Worker’s Day
5 – Cinco de Mayo
10 – Mother’s Day
15 – Teacher’s Day
Late May through June – World Jazz Festival with musical and dance events at Los Arcos.
JUNE
Turtle preservation program through October. Along the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, several hotels and other businesses manage a sea turtle preservation project that collects and protects turtle eggs as well as supporting the newly-hatched turtles to return to the sea.
SEPTEMBER
15 – 17 – Independence Eve is on the 15th. The entire plaza is full in expectation of the traditional “Grito Viva Mexico!” at 11PM from the City Hall balcony. Independence Day is the 16th, when Mexico observes the 1821 independence from Spain with speech making, flag waving, fireworks, horse races, folk dances, Mariachi bands and flourishes with decorations in red, white and green – Mexico’s national colors.
NOVEMBER
1-2 Todos Santos, or All Soul’s Day. Deceased friends, relatives and ancestors are remembered and honored in a traditional Mexican celebration that includes gravesite picnics, skeleton shaped candy and dolls, with a festive atmosphere. It is traditionally believed that the spirits of the dead return to earth on this day.
On November 1st, homage is paid to the souls of the departed children. This day is also know an All Saint’s Day. On November 2nd, homage is paid for entire families. This day is also known as Day of the Dead.
First week of November – International Fishing Tournament.
5 – 28 Fine Arts Festival includes music, dancing, poetry and ballets.
11 – 14 The Mexican Boat Show, the largest nautical boat show in Mexico.
12 – 20 Annual Gourmet Festival – International and local chefs create special menus.
20 – Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Includes parades, speeches and patriotic events which recall the Mexican Revolution of 1910 – 1917.
DECEMBER
1 – 12 Virgin of Guadalupe Procession and Festival. This is a major event with music, colorful parades, fireworks and feasting on great food. On December 12 is the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe which honors the anniversary of her miraculous appearance to a peasant in Mexico,
16 – 24 Christmas Week celebrations which include a two day feast commemorating the Virgin de la Soledad, nightly posadas (re-enactments of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging,) the breaking of piñatas and candlelight processions.
25 – Christmas
31 – New Year’s Eve – Festivities and street parties throughout the city.
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