JANUARY
 January 1 - New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo), national holiday.
Banks and public government offices remain closed for the day. Take a stroll along El Malecon and enjoy all the different events, at night there'll be fireworks and ships in the Bay.
January 6 - Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) is a traditional
gift-giving day and a moment to eat the rosca and drink warm chocolate in this Mexican holiday when
children receive toys and gifts in honor of the Three Kings'
visit to baby Jesus.
Some restaurants, hotels and The International
Friendship Club, one of Puerto Vallarta’s largest charities,
annually visit local hospitals and rural communities bringing
truckloads of toys to local children, read more on Puerto Vallarta Non-profit Organizations and Charities.
DECEMBER - MID-MARCH
Whale watching: Each winter season a growing
number of tourists and locals enjoy tours that take them out to see 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.
FEBRUARY
February 5 - Anniversary of the Mexican Constitution, national holiday and parade. Banks and
public government offices remain closed.
February 14 - Friendship Day (Día de Amistad - Valentine's Day); in Mexico, not
just love, but friendship, as well, is celebrated on February
14. Special menus in most the local restaurants, and live music to dance
in different latino ambience night clubs. You need to reserve in advance if you don't want to wait for ages and get into a fight with your fiancee :-).
February 24 - Day of the Mexican Flag. Mexican celebration.
Regatta Action!
Banderas Bay fills with sails as a series of regattas and takes
full advantage of the gentle breezes, clear skies and calm
waters surrounding Puerto Vallarta.
Read more at http://www.vallartayachtclub.org/
MARCH
First Tuesday - Carnaval Day. Party with masks, kids parade
in the streets.
First Wednesday of the month - Ash Wednesday.
March 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 Springbreak season.
APRIL
Semana Santa and Pascua, (Easter Break); Puerto Vallarta is
at its peak occupancy during this pre-Easter Holy week, this period is a normal national vacation and there's “spring break”
from school, and many local families, mainly Guadalajara and surroundings, take the opportunity to bask at the beach and enjoy beautiful Puerto Vallarta.
April 30 - Día del Niño (Children's Day). Local children participate in a parade on streets and enjoy the party.
MAY
May Cultural Festival (Festival Cultural de Mayo)
Every year the local government organizes the "Festival
Cultural de Mayo", with events and activities all through the month. Important local, national and international
artists (painters, musicians, actors, etc.) participate in various concerts,
events and happenings all over the city and the surroundings.
May 1 - Labor Day, national holiday. Banks and public government
offices remain closed.
May 5 - Celebration the defeat of the French Army at Puebla in
1862, national holiday, Banks and public government offices
remain closed. IN USA known as "5 de Mayo", though in Mexico it's not as important an event.
May 10 - Mother's Day (Día de la Madre), national holiday. Mexicans really go out of their way to show their respect for their mother, despite the "macho" background the country may have, mothers have always been deeply revered and admired. Father's day was created more recently and as an afterthought...
Puerto
Vallarta International Sports Classic: various sports events are held around town. Exact dates vary, click here for more info on the event.
Fiestas de Mayo (May Fiestas, most of May). Traditional fair throughout
the month, complete with 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.
May 24
- Springbreakers arrive during the following 6 weeks.
May 31
- Puerto Vallarta Anniversary day.
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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
July 2 - National Elections Day. Held in Mexico every six years
(next during 2012).
July 6 - End of the Springbreak season
End of July - Mexican school season vacations, begins
AUGUST
End of August - National vacation season ends.
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 with a parade through
the center of town and continuing festivities.
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September 14 - Charro Day. Mexican Charros (Mexican cowboys) parade through
town in morning (beginning at 10:00 am) wearing traditional
charro outfits with 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, traditional Mexican food and dancing.
September 15 - Independence Eve. On this night, the central plaza is
filled with revelers participating in the traditional “el 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.
September 16 - Independence day. 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
October 31- Halloween. In Mexico you’ll also find costume parties,
and trick and treats. 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
November 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.
November 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.
During November (dates change)
Copa Vallarta (Vallarta Cup) Golf Tournament
This annual program golf event is held at El Tigre and Vista Vallarta with a purse of thousands of dollars and other prizes including Swing Vallarta. www.vallartagolf.com
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.
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Festival Gourmet Internacional de Puerto Vallarta: 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.
Founded in 1995, the festival has continued to
attract thousands of attendees each year. http://festivalgourmet.com/
November 20th - 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.
International Fishing Tournament Marlin & Sailfish: Mid-End of November - The state of Jalisco’s renowned
International Sailfish Tournament (Torneo Internacional Jalisco
Pez Vela) one of the most prestigious and taditional 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. www.fishvallarta.com
November 27 - Thanksgiving Day. Special dinners are served in the hotels
and fine restaurants in town.
DECEMBER
Surf Classic in Sayulita
This annual event for surfers draws people from all over the world to this major surfing destination in Sayulita. www.sayulitalife.com
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.
December 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.
 December 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.
December 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.
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December 16 - December 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
Mexican family dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by Midnight Mass.
December 25 - Christmas Day (Navidad). Religious celebration and national
holiday. Banks and public government offices remain closed.
December 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 dinners 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 probably
other activities to be scheduled like the different golf tournaments.
Information can be found on the PuertoVallarta.net
Forum (Calendar section).
Public Holidays in Puerto Vallarta
So you plan in advance, the public holidays in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico in general, are the following:
- January 1st - New Years Day.
- February 5th - Anniversary of the Mexican Constitution.
- March 21st - Benito Juárez Birthday.
- May 1st - Labour day.
- September 16th - Mexico's Independence Day.
- November 20th - Day of the Mexican Revolution.
- December 1st (each 6 years) - Elect President is empowered.
- December 25th - Christmas Day.
- Federal and Local Law can determine a holiday due to local elections: in Puerto Vallarta it's on November 12th.
On these days, all banks, public offices and many times speciality stores are closed.
Detailed day to day list of events in Puerto Vallarta, we recommend:
Visit PV Calendar
Banderas News Events
More on our Scoop.it page
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