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Calendar Of Events
| January |  |
| January 1 | New Year's Day (Ano Nuevo), national holiday |
| January 6 | Epiphany (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. Whoever gets the baby hosts the party on Feb. 2nd. |
| February 2 | Candlemas, a time of purification. Celebrated with Tamale parties |
| February 5 | Constitution Day. Official speeches and ceremonies are conducted nationwide on this national holiday. |
| February 14 | Friendship Day (Dia de Amistad) and Dia del los Amorados. Love and friendship is celebrated this day. |
| Carnival. As Lent approaches, Mexican towns celebrate this lively event with colorful parades, cockfights, food, dancing, fireworks, and live outdoor music. |
| March 21 | Benito Juarez's Birthday. Mexico observes a national holiday to honor one of the country's most beloved presidents and leader of the 19th-century Reform movement. |
| March 24 | Palm Sunday |
| March 29 | Good Friday |
| March 31 | Easter Sunday |
| Entire Month | Fiestas de May. During the entire month of May there are various activities including parades, bullfights, soccer games, dancing, street music, amusement park rides, children's performances, exhibits, and foods. Many activities take place at the main square by the main Cathedral and the 'Los Arcos' stage area. The festivities are concluded on May 31, Puerto Vallarta's birthday, with great Mariachi music and a fantastic firework display. |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| May 3 | Construction Workers Day. |
| May 5 | Cinco de Mayo. French defeated at Puebla in 1862 |
| May 10 | Mother's Day |
| June through October | Turtle Preservation Program. Important breeding grounds along Vallartas' coast |
| September 15-16 | Independence Day, the commemoration of a historic speech, known as the grito (shout), by Independence leader Padre Miguel Hidalgo, is celebrated throughout Mexico with fireworks and parties. |
| October 12 | Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) |
| November 1 | All Souls Day (Día de Todos Santos) On this day, Mexicans pay homage to the souls of 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 specially created for the occasion. Each year City Hall offers a special alter exhibition, as does the Cultural Center on Rio Cuale Island. |
| November 2 | Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) - Once the children have paid their annual visit, the adults have their turn on this day.Families hold a graveside vigil on this night, or at least leave the favorite foods and drinks (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 symbols of death, and flowers and memorials fill the cemetery. |
| Mid November | 8th Annual Gourmet Festival. A gourmet's idea of heaven! The Gourmet Festival pairs internationally acclaimed guest chefs with local culinary masters to create special menus in Vallarta's finest restaurants and hotels. Nightly events plus a gala closing dinner |
| November 20 | Revolution Day |
| December 1-12 | Guadalupe Processions. During these twelve days, processions take place to the downtown cathedral that bears the name of the patron saint of both Puerto Vallarta and of Mexico |
| December 12 | Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe). An important religious and social day marking the anniversary of the day the Virgin Guadalupe made her miraculous appearance to a peasant in Mexico. The processions culminate on this day. Look for the central plaza to be filled with people and street vendors with lots of fruits, foods and fireworks on this evening and the ones immediately preceding it. A beautiful display of traditional Mexico. |
| December 16-24 | Christmas Week. All around Mexico, families, businesses and neighborhood celebrate the holidays with parties, known as "posadas". This tradition is a reenactment of Joseph and Mary's search for a "posada", or lodging in Bethlehem. The guests come in a procession to the designated house and, carrying candles, they 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 |
| December 25 | Christmas Day (Navidad) - Religious celebration and national holiday |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve - As everywhere in the world, watch for gala New Year's Eve celebrations to take every possible form |
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