Puerto Vallarta honors its double anniversary on May 31 with free cultural events from May 28–31, including photography contests, mural unveilings, jazz performances, a parade, and a pyromusical display over Banderas Bay.
Puerto Vallarta is poised to celebrate a “double birthday” this May 31, marking 107 years since its elevation to municipality status and 57 years since it was formally named a city. What began as the small settlement of Las Peñas was officially decreed a municipality by the Jalisco State Congress on May 31, 1918—complete with its new name, Puerto Vallarta—before earning full city status half a century later as the town’s infrastructure and transport links matured.
In honor of these milestones, the city government and civic organizations have curated a four-day roster of free events across Puerto Vallarta’s most iconic venues. Kicking off on May 28 in the central patio of the Municipal Presidency, a photography contest titled “Puerto Vallarta… What Defines Us as Vallartenses de Corazón?” will showcase images capturing the city’s spirit of community and identity. On May 29, locals and visitors alike can witness the unveiling of a new mural at the Lighthouse on Matamoros Street, an artistic homage to the city’s storied past and dynamic present.
May 30 will bring “Puerto Vallarta, Two Meetings with Its History,” an interactive event in the Municipal Presidency’s central courtyard, alongside the Jazz World Music Festival at the Los Arcos Amphitheater on the Malecón. Performers from national and international jazz ensembles will take to the stage for an afternoon of free concerts that highlight the city’s growing reputation as a cultural hub. These venues—including the Main Plaza and the Esplanade of the Malecón Lighthouse—have become the beating heart of the city’s anniversary festivities, drawing families, artists, and travelers to celebrate together.
The centerpiece of the festivities on May 31 is a vibrant Anniversary Parade, which will process from the Sheraton Hotel to Los Arcos del Malecón before culminating at El Faro. The streets will come alive with dancers, floats, and community groups, reflecting the diverse heritage of Puerto Vallarta’s citizens. As dusk falls, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra will deliver an open-air performance near the lighthouse, setting the stage for a grand pyromusical spectacular over Banderas Bay—a fusion of fireworks and synchronized music that promises to illuminate the night sky in a dazzling tribute to the city’s journey.
No Puerto Vallarta anniversary celebration would be complete without the traditional communal cake—cut and shared among attendees at the Los Arcos Amphitheater—followed by the fireworks display that has become a hallmark of the occasion. This year’s events are entirely free of charge, underscoring the city’s commitment to inclusive, community-driven celebrations.
Local officials have indicated that a detailed program of events and schedules will be released in the days leading up to May 31. For now, Puerto Vallarta’s double anniversary stands as both a testament to its rich municipal history and a vibrant celebration of its ongoing cultural evolution.
