Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations. With its beautiful beaches, excellent climate, and authentic Mexican vibes, it’s a popular place for vacationers to visit. The area also has interesting cultural events and celebrations that both residents and visitors will enjoy. If you want to learn about 10 traditional celebrations in Puerto Vallarta, keep reading below.
1. Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Week
To start with, each year Puerto Vallarta holds a Restaurant Week event that is a crowd pleaser for visitors and locals alike. Typically held in September or October each year, participating restaurants create special menus at fixed prices. Diners love getting out to try the area’s best restaurants that are part of what makes Puerto Vallarta such an attractive destination for visitors and second home owners, too.
2. Dia de Los Muertos
Each year on November 2nd, Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated in Puerto Vallarta and in towns all across Mexico. The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November. It originated and is mostly observed in Mexico, but is also celebrated by Mexicans who live in other locations throughout the world. The purpose of the holiday is to honor loved ones who have passed away. Altars or ofrendas are created that honor the deceased. Dia de Los Muertos altars typically include flowers, framed photos of the deceased, and their favorite foods and drinks. It’s a great way to remember loved ones and celebrate their life in a loving and cheerful way.
3. Festival Gourmet International
The annual Festival Gourmet International is an important gastronomic event where acclaimed chefs from around the world come to Puerto Vallarta. The International Gourmet Festival will be held from November 12th to November 21st, 2021. This year’s special program will include special workshops and events including wine and cheese tastings and live jazz music. If you want to see some of the world’s best chefs and their incredible dishes, sign up to get your tickets to attend the annual culinary event in Puerto Vallarta.
4. Sea Turtle Release
Each year in Puerto Vallarta, hundreds of sea turtles return to the area where they were born to lay their own eggs. Puerto Vallarta local conservation groups work on collecting eggs to care for them in a protected area until they are ready to hatch. Once the baby sea turtles hatch, they are released to the sea. If you want to participate in a sea turtle release, you can do so each year between the months of July through December. The most popular location for the sea turtle release is located near Boca de Tomates beach which is just north of the Puerto Vallarta Airport.
5. Dia de La Independencia
Mexican Independence Day is another traditional celebration in Puerto Vallarta that occurs each year on September 16th. In fact, the entire month of September is focused on the holiday and you can find red, green, and white decorations throughout Puerto Vallarta and other towns in Mexico. At midnight on September 15th, the famous “El Grito” will be reenacted which was the cry for independence made by Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla who is recognized for inspiring Mexicans to rise up to fight against Spanish rule in 1810. In Puerto Vallarta, Dia de La Independencia is a cheerful and exciting holiday where everyone gets together to celebrate the best of Mexico.
6. Las Posadas
Las Posadas are celebrated each winter from December 16th through December 24th. Las Posadas means “The Inns,” in English and refers to the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge so Mary could give birth to baby Jesus. The religious festival is celebrated in Mexico and in some parts of the United States as well. Families and neighbors come together to share meals together to honor and commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph so many years ago.
7. Puerto Vallarta Historic Downtown Art Walk
Another traditional celebration to experience in Puerto Vallarta is the annual downtown art walk. Puerto Vallarta is home to numerous contemporary and modern art galleries that visitors must visit during their vacation. Each year, the downtown Art Walk is held on Wednesday evenings from October 31 through May 29. Art galleries stay open late and often have free snacks and drinks for visitors as they peruse the works of art for sale. In addition to art galleries, make sure to check out street art in Puerto Vallarta. Many of the local buildings in downtown Puerto Vallarta have impressive and vibrant murals that add a touch of color and culture to the already amazing city.
8. Municipal Xiutla Ballet
The Municipal Ballet Xiutla performs every Friday evening at 7:30 pm in the Lazaro Cardenas Plaza in Old Town. On Saturday evenings, performers take the stage by Los Arcos on the Malecon boardwalk at 8:00 pm. These talented young dancers perform regional dances that are a big part of Jalisco’s rich culture. The beautiful dresses and outfits are finely designed and highlight the rich heritage of Mexico.
9. Semana Santa
This year, Semana Santa will be held from April 10th through April 16th. In some traditions of Christianity, Semana Santa, known as Holy Week in English, is the most sacred week in the Church year. In Eastern Orthodox traditions, Semana Santa or Holy Week occurs the week after Lazarus Saturday and starts on the evening of Palm Sunday. In Puerto Vallarta, Semana Santa typically includes the arrival of thousands of visitors that flock to the area’s beautiful beaches for a holiday escape. During Semana Santa, beaches will be packed with people and it is generally one of the busiest times of the year for tourism in Banderas Bay.
10. Cinco de Mayo
Last but not least, Cinco de May is a holiday that is celebrated in Puerto Vallarta. While the holiday is celebrated more frequently in the United States or other parts of the world, Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held on May 5. The event commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Today, Cinco de Mayo is more of an excuse to party and enjoy lots of great Mexican food, drinks and fun. Puerto Vallarta often celebrates Cinco de Mayo at its local restaurants and resorts that receive foreign visitors who are used to celebrating the holiday at home, too.
As you can see, there are lots of fun events and traditional celebrations to enjoy in Puerto Vallarta no matter what time of year you visit. Whether you want to get away for a dream vacation to Mexico, or hope to buy a second home at the beach, Puerto Vallarta truly has it all.
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