Puerto Vallarta anniversary celebration brings locals and tourists together to mark 107 years as a municipality and 57 years as a city.
Puerto Vallarta marks its double anniversary on May 31, celebrating 107 years as a municipality and 57 years as a city with a series of vibrant public events that showcase its natural beauty and the warmth of its people. Residents and visitors alike will gather along the Malecón, Plaza de Armas and other emblematic sites to honor the city’s unique blend of history, culture and seaside charm.
Local authorities, business leaders and community groups opened the May Festival on May 16 at the Vallarta Explanada, where live music, amusement rides, a craft fair and sporting events welcome families through June 1. On the anniversary date, a colorful parade will wind down Avenida México before a solemn ceremony at the Los Arcos amphitheater on the Malecón, followed by the unveiling of a grand anniversary cake and a free concert on the Malecón Lighthouse esplanade.
Organizers will also inaugurate a new mural honoring Elizabeth Taylor at the Matamoros Street Lighthouse, recognizing the Hollywood star’s role in placing Puerto Vallarta on the global map. From May 13 to 31, a traveling photography exhibition will display images that capture the identity of Vallartenses at heart, while a contest on May 28 invites amateur and professional photographers to explore “What defines us as Vallartenses at heart?”
The anniversary joins other May highlights: Vallarta Pride runs May 17–25 with events that celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community; Puerto Vallarta Lesbian Pride follows May 21–26; and Bear Pride takes place May 21–25. In sports, the Mexican Beach Volleyball Championship brings top athletes to local sands from May 30 to June 1.
Puerto Vallarta traces its roots to 1851, when Don Guadalupe Sánchez Torres settled near the rocky coastline and founded the town of Las Peñas. On May 31, 1918, state legislators elevated the settlement to municipality status under the name Puerto de las Peñas. Fifteen years later, they renamed it Puerto Vallarta in honor of Governor Ignacio Luis Vallarta. Slow growth persisted until the 1960s, when the completion of a highway and the arrival of an airport sparked a tourism boom that transformed the town into an international destination.
Today, Puerto Vallarta’s crescent bay framed by emerald hills draws vacationers from around the world. Its historic center features cobblestone streets, colonial architecture and the bustling Plaza de Armas. The Malecón, a seaside promenade lined with sculptures and restaurants, serves as the city’s social heart. Beyond its tourist appeal, locals point to a tight-knit community and cultural continuity as the pillars of Vallartense pride.
As the city celebrates 107 years of municipal governance and 57 years of urban status, officials emphasize that the true measure of success lies in the smiles of families strolling the Malecón, the applause at open-air concerts and the art that adorns its streets. “These anniversaries remind us of our humble beginnings and the collaborative spirit that drives Puerto Vallarta forward,” said a municipal spokesperson.
From parades to photography, volleyball to pride festivals, this anniversary invites everyone to join in Puerto Vallarta’s ongoing story—a story of resilience, hospitality and the enduring magic of the Mexican Pacific coast. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, the city’s double celebration offers a chance to experience its past, present and future in full color.
Puerto Vallarta anniversary celebration brings locals and tourists together to mark 107 years as a municipality and 57 years as a city.
