Get the inside scoop on Puerto Vallarta’s upcoming events to plan your vacation. Whether you’re staying for the winter, ramping up for the Spring Break of a lifetime, or just want to relax with family on one of the many white-sand beaches… we have a great line-up for everyone!
Our event calendar covers popular festivals, live music, opportunities to make new friends, and the occasional baby turtle release. Make sure to follow us on Facebook where we regularly post updates, secret spots, and some great local Puerto Vallarta upcoming events for our guests.
- Weekly Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Annual Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)
- Blessing of the Boats 2021
- Fishing Season
- Whale Watching Season
- Banderas Bay Regattas
- Carnival
- May Cultural Festival
- Vallarta Gay Pride Parade
- Turtle Season
- Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Week
- Navy Day (Día de la Marina)
- Puerto Vallarta Anniversary Day
- Annual Surf Classic in Sayulita
- Mexico's Independence Day
- International Marlin & Sailfish Fishing Tournament
- Dia de los Muertos
- Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe
- Christmas Week
- Other Mexico Holidays
Weekly Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Live Music in Puerto Vallarta
For upcoming events in Puerto Vallarta involving live music, we always like to recommend the following places:
- El Rio BBQ
- Pour Favor
- Gringo Loco
- Nacho Daddy
- Que Pasa
Southside Shuffle
EVERY OTHER FRIDAY EVENING
The neighborhood of Emiliano Zapata is full of restaurants, bars, art galleries, gift shops, and boutiques. Every other Friday from 6 to 10 pm (between early November and early April), several shops and businesses along the popular streets of Basilio Badillo and Constitución have joined forces to create the South Side Shuffle. They provide complimentary beverages, live music, and other entertainment to create one of Puerto Vallarta’s best shopping experiences.
Bucerias Art Walk
No weekly event embraces the spirit of Bucerias quite like the Art Walk. Every Thursday evening (November – April) the free self-guided walking tour covers most of the Art District & Golden Zone.
The participating galleries are all clustered together in the city’s Art District, also known as the Golden Zone. Sip wine, sample cheese, wander the area’s beautiful cobblestone streets and interact with some of the top artists and gallery owners in Banderas Bay. Afterward, explore the neighborhood’s many fine bars and restaurants.
Website: https://artwalkbucerias.com/
FREE ADMISSION
Every Thursday – 5 PM
Annual Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)
JANUARY 1
This national holiday is celebrated widely with fireworks and other special events you won’t want to miss! A stroll along El Malecon bay is the perfect way to welcome in the new year in Mexico.
Blessing of the Boats 2021
JANUARY 24
The Bucerias Blessing of the Boats lasts 9 days to honor Our Lady of Peace, the patron saint and protector of the city. You’ll hear canons going off every morning to kick off the celebration.
The blessing of the boat fleet occurs on the 24th which is definitely the highlight of the week. It is an event not to be missed! The decorated fishing boats (a.k.a. ‘pangas’) come over from the neighboring town, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, and arrive around noon on the beach in front of the main plaza.
Fishing Season
SEPTEMBER – FEBRUARY
Puerto Vallarta offers some of the best sport fishing in Mexico. Mahi Mahi and Marlin season is best from September to February, but Red Snapper and Jack Crevalle fishing are great all year!
Check out the Puerto Vallarta Fishing Charters we most recommend.
Whale Watching Season
DECEMBER – MID MARCH
In late fall, Humpback Whales begin their annual migratory route to their winter breeding and calving grounds in the warmer tropical waters of Mexico. Their total migration route extends to about 5000 km (3000 mi). This makes it one of the longest journeys of any mammal on the planet!
Banderas Bay Regattas
ALL MARCH
Puerto Vallarta’s beautiful Banderas Bay fills with sails each year between late February and March as sailors from all over the world converge on these calm waters to test their skills.
Carnival
FIRST TUESDAY OF MARCH
Many people plan their vacations around this colorful celebration where incredible floats, elaborate masks, and awe-inspiring stilt walkers take over the streets. 30,000 residents and tourists gather each year to enjoy the spectacle!
May Cultural Festival
ALL MAY
The Festival Cultural de Mayo is an annual celebration that is actually an entire month of events and activities designed to highlight the contribution of artists, painters, musicians, and actors. If you love Mexican art and culture, plan your visit in May!
Vallarta Gay Pride Parade
END OF MAY
There is no doubt that Puerto Vallarta is recognized worldwide as an LGBTQ mecca that receives both national & international gay visitors, and Vallarta Pride is the most important LGBTQ event in the region! There are a ton of free shows, a parade, and non-profit events.
Turtle Season
MAY – DECEMBER
Bahia de Banderas has implemented a community-wide preservation program that combines protected nurseries for turtle eggs. Turtle liberation ceremonies are held daily during the season at participating hotel beaches and turtle camps.
You’ll be able to release a baby turtle, who will return to one of our beaches to lay its eggs upon reaching adulthood. Each nest can produce 100 eggs, and the staff claims an average of 60,000 baby turtles are released each year.
Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Week
During Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer 3-course menus at a reduced price for three whole weeks. To properly showcase each restaurant’s signature flavors, there are multiple options to choose from for every course. There are three categories of menus: $299, $399, and $499 pesos per person, depending on the restaurant. As you can see, it’s an excellent opportunity to have some amazing local culinary experiences at a discount!
Navy Day (Día de la Marina)
JUNE 1
This celebration honors the memory of those who sailed out in the ship “Tabasco” in Veracruz – the first Mexican merchant ship – along with all sailors who’ve lost their lives on the sea. Captains lay wreaths of flowers in the waters of Banderas Bay in a ceremony that is followed by sailing competitions, parties, and fireworks.
Puerto Vallarta Anniversary Day
MAY 31
With cultural and sporting events, live music performances, and a beautiful firework display over Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta’s anniversary celebration is a lot of fun!
Annual Surf Classic in Sayulita
Sayulita is a famous surfing destination and it is very close to Puerto Vallarta, which means there’s no reason you can’t go to this annual event that draws surfers from all over the world.
Mexico’s Independence Day
SEPTEMBER 14 – 16
September 14 is Charro Day. Mexican Charros (Mexican cowboys) parade through Puerto Vallarta in the morning wearing traditional charro outfits with beautifully decorated jackets, pants, and sombreros. There are traditional displays of roping and bullfighting plus plenty of good food and dancing.
On independence eve (September 15), the central plaza gets packed with people for the traditional “el grito”, or cry for independence. This is when you’ll hear cries of “Viva Mexico” followed by an amazing firework display, music, dancing, an abundance of food, and a great atmosphere. The festivities continue the next day, with more fireworks, parades, and even more partying.
International Marlin & Sailfish Fishing Tournament
MID NOVEMBER
Hundreds of anglers from around the world come to Puerto Vallarta in November to fish in Banderas Bay for sailfish, marlin, wahoo, and dorado in one of the most prestigious international fishing tournaments on Mexico’s west coast.
Dia de los Muertos
NOVEMBER 1
On this day, Mexicans pay homage to the souls of their ancestors. Tradition states that the departed descend from the heavens on this day, so family members prepare for their arrival by leaving sugar skeletons, family items, and other treats on altars custom-designed for the occasion. Each year Puerto Vallarta’s City Hall and the Cultural Center offer special altar exhibitions.
Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe
DECEMBER 12
This important religious holiday marks the anniversary of the day the Virgin Guadalupe made her miraculous appearance to a peasant in Mexico. On this day, fireworks abound and the central plaza is filled with people street vendors selling fruits and other local specialties. Also, in the small south shore community of Quimixto, a “flotilla” of decorative fishing boats makes its way down the shoreline.
Christmas Week
DECEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 25
Throughout Puerto Vallarta, everyone celebrates the birth of Christ with gatherings called “posadas,” where people re-enact Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Processions travel to designated homes to ask for lodging in song, and the party begins when the host throws open the door.
Other Mexico Holidays
- 3 de FEB 2020 – Día de la Constitución Mexicana (día festivo oficial en México)
- 16 de MAR 2020 – Natalicio de Benito Juárez (día festivo oficial en México)
- 9-12 de ABR 2020 – Semana Santa
- 1 de MAY 2020 – Día del Trabajo (día festivo oficial en México)
- 10 de MAY 2020 – Día de las Madres
- 21 de JUN 2020 – Día del Padre
- 16 de NOV 2020 – Revolución Mexicana (día festivo oficial en México)
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